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Welcome to Le Lanterne Rouge Cycling

Last to Ride, First to Drink!
REGISTER WITH US

We would love to have you join Le Lanterne Rouge Cycling Club this year!

We are looking forward to meeting new friends, reconnecting with old friends  and making memories on the well-traveled roads in Iowa! Since this is the 50th year, it’s guaranteed to be one “L” of a ride!!

The year’s ride will start on July 22nd  in Sioux City and meander across Iowa through Storm Lake, Carroll, Ames, Des Moines, Tama-Toledo, Coralville finally ending on July 29th in Davenport along the Mississippi. We have already started working to secure housing hosts along the route & ask you to contact Threase/Bev if you have potential host connections.

We plan to have a full bus again this year, so get your registration in as soon as you can!

Please look at the information on this page for important dates, registration links, and FAQs.

Get Ready for RAGBRAI L!

Ragbrai 2023

1. Go to the RAGBRAI website to get all the information you need about this year’s event. 
Find RAGBRAI Information Here

Ragbrai Registration link

2. If you’ve ridden RAGBRAI before, visit: Ventures Endurance RAGBRAI Registration to signup for this year’s event. 2023 Weeklong Rider Deadline: May 15.

Le Lanterne Rouge Cycling Club

3. Join our team for the 50th RAGBRAI event! Use this L2RC Registration Form to ride with us.
Our team registration is limited to 35 riders and closes April 30th.

Registration with RAGBRAI is highly recommended for all riders with L2RC. Ride registration is currently open on the RAGBRAI website. Please register through the RAGBRAI site by April 1st, 2022 before registering with the L2RC team.

Weeklong riders:

  • The cost to ride a full week of RAGBRAI with full sag support is $200 plus tax if registered prior to February 28th, 2023.
  • After February 27th, the cost increases to $225.00 plus taxes and fees until April 14th.
  • After April 14th, the cost increases to $250 plus taxes and fees.
  • Registration closes on the RAGBRAI website on May 15, 2023.

Day Riders:

  • Day rider passes are also available for $40/day + taxes and fees on the website if registered prior to February 28th.
  • The fees increase to $45 per day + taxes through April 14th,
  • and then $50 per day + taxes until registration closes on May 15, 2023.

You will follow the links above to register through our team and select the dates you will be riding.

Please review the L2RC Rider Information below to determine what works best for you!

Weeklong Riders:

  • $400 fee for weeklong riders (includes beer, water, snacks, housing, showers, a couple of evening meals, transportation to and from Des Moines, and a bus at the midtown each day)

Daily Riders:

  • $60 fee per day for partial week riders (includes beer, water, snacks, housing, showers, a couple of evening meals, and a bus at the midtown each day)
  • $30 for Bus transportation to/from Des Moines if needed.

With this being the 50th year anniversary of RAGBRAI, we anticipate a full bus!! If you are planning to ride, we recommend getting registered and confirming your spot on the bus as soon as possible.

Rider Priority:

We are capping our team at 35 riders. Positions will be secured based on the following:

  • Team investors will be given priority and right of refusal for their spot on the bus. Team investors must commit/remit payment by April 1st.
  • Priority will be based on number of days riding. Full week riders secure their seat on the bus, followed by 6-day riders, 5-day riders, etc.
  • Please notify us of your commitment to ride/dates no later than April 30th.
  • Your spot is secured when your payment is received. If you do not send by the April 30th deadline, you will lose your spot to the next person in line.
  • Checks can be sent to: Threase Harms, 974-73rd St. Ste. 14, West Des Moines, IA 50265.
  • We also have a Venmo option. (It’s a payment App) Venmo Username: @LanternRouge-Cycling

Cancellation/Refund of Fees:

  • If you are unable to ride, please advise as soon as possible so your spot can be filled.
  • We will attempt to fill your spot and provide reimbursement to you. All refunds are contingent upon finding a replacement rider for your spot on the bus. If a replacement is found, the following fees will be applied:
  • Before 6/5 – $50
  • Before 6/15 – $75
  • Before 6/30 -$100

If a replacement rider is not found, a refund is NOT guaranteed.

If gear is ordered prior to cancellation, the cost of gear will also be subtracted prior to refunding money (gear will be provided).

  • Please keep in mind we are trying to accommodate several people and have a limited number of spots. Please only reserve a seat when you know you can commit. We understand things come up, but please understand once you commit you are filling a spot and we count on those fees to cover our expenses.

We will provide additional team information to include team swag, route information, and social events as we get closer. We are looking forward to riding with all of you! We have shared this information with individuals who have ridden with us in the past and those who have expressed interest in riding with us in 2023. We hope you will join us!

L2RC Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does Le Lanterne Rouge mean?

Le Lanterne Rouge means the Red Lantern in French. It is also the award that goes to the very last rider in on the Tour de France. Our team takes a casual approach to RAGBRAI with several members coming in at the rear of the pack each day. The last rider in will earn the coveted “Red Lantern” award, which is proudly displayed upon their bike the following day.

(The true phrase in French is ‘La Lanterne Rouge’ – but we’re having a bit of fun with it!)

2. How many are on the team?

We cap our team at 35 riders to ensure we have sufficient space for riders on the bus and at our host homes.

3. What are the demographics of riders on the team?

Our team is made up of riders from all over the country from Montana to Virginia. We have several Midwesterners (CO, SD, MO, IL, MN, WI, NE, etc.). Our team members range in age from 30-75 and there are doctors, nurses, business owners, social workers, engineers, etc on the team.

4. How do I register with the team on the RAGBRAI site?

Go to the RAGBRAI site and begin registration for your desired days. You will be given the option to add your team. Select Le Lanterne Rouge Cycling (L2RC). When you register with the team, your packet is sent to the team and provided to you on the first day of RAGBRAI.

5. Should I register with RAGBRAI and pay their fees also?

Registration with RAGBRAI is highly recommended by the team. Registration offers you support throughout the ride should you have a break down or need to sag into the next town. The bus does not have access to the route and will not return to pick up riders/bikes. Riders who opt out of registration will be responsible for finding a way to get to the bus at the meeting town (lunch) or the end town.

6. How do I get to the start of the ride and back to my vehicle?

The bus leaves from Des Moines on the Saturday before the ride and will return to Des Moines on the last day of the ride. Vehicles can be left during the week. If you are joining us mid-week or leaving early, you will be responsible for your own travel accommodations. Do check in with us about your plans, as we may be able to align you with others.

7. What are sleeping arrangements like? Will we have shower accessibility each day?

After the route is announced in late January, the search for host homes begins. We ask host homes to offer access to bathrooms, showers, and lawn space for tents or floor space for sleeping bags. We also request the opportunity to do 1-2 loads of laundry when possible.  We have a bus shower (with hot water heater) available to move team members through the showers, if needed. At times, we are hosted by local YMCA’s or community centers vs host homes. We find hosts to be incredibly gracious and excited about our team staying with them!

8. What should I pack?

We will provide a suggest packing list as we get closer to the ride. We ask each rider to bring no more than two bags/totes. Your gear will be sharing one bus seat with another rider’s gear, so please keep tote/bag sizes reasonable. You will be bringing your totes/bags on and off the bus so keep this in mind as well.

9. Is your team a charter service? Will my tent be set up at each town?

L2RC is not a charter service and tents are not set up for you. We ask that each rider takes care of their own tent set up/tear down, baggage loading, and clean up at each stop.

10. What are team expectations of riders?

We expect you to have a lot of fun and enjoy the experience!!

  • Since we are a team sharing our bus as a home for the week, we do ask people to help with bus tasks such as keeping things cleaned up, set up/tear down of bus shower, etc.
  • We will assign tasks to team members each day to ensure things stay tidy.
  • We also expect riders to follow the rules set forth by each host home (such as no shoes inside, quiet after 10 PM, etc).

The bus driver will communicate these rules to you upon arrival to the home.

11. What is included in my registration fees to the team?

Registration fees provide for your transportation to start of ride in Sioux City and the entire journey until our return to Des Moines at the end of the ride. The bus is stocked with sunscreen, medical kit, air pumps, cleaning supplies, etc. We also provide water, soda, beer, and snacks during the ride. The team orders subs for departure and a meal or two during the week as well.

12. What are the advantages of riding with a team?

There are several advantages to riding with a team. Our team takes a relaxed approach to RAGBRAI which means you do not have to be packed up and on your bike at first light (unless you want to 😉).

You also have the support of the bus at the meeting town each day. This means you can relax in the shade, eat snacks, rehydrate, re-apply sunscreen, etc. Typically, the bus waits for the last rider to come in before moving on to the last town. If the bus is moving on earlier, it will be announced in the morning at camp, or the last riders will be texted to affirm they are aware and able to finish out the day.

The team enjoys riding together and socializing together but fully support individuals in riding their “own ride” to enjoy RAGBRAI as they see fit.

Additionally, riding with a team is a great way to meet other riders as the L2RC team is well connected along the route from years of riding and friendships developed.

13. What time does the team depart each morning?

Each rider can select what works for them and their ride. The bus typically does not leave camp until 9AM or later most days.

14. Is there team merchandise available for purchase?

Yes, we will have team t-shirts, hats, water bottles, etc available for purchase. During L2RC registration, you will have the opportunity to purchase a team jersey. Ordering at L2RC registration will ensure your size is available. We cannot guarantee all jersey sizes will be available if you wait until the week of RAGBRAI.

15. How much cash should I bring for the week?

This varies by rider, appetite, drinks consumed, and souvenirs purchased. It is reasonable to start with $350-400 as there will be ATMs along the route.  Debit/Credit cards are also accepted along the way, at bike repair shops, and the RAGBRAI merchandise trailer.

16. How can I communicate with the team during the week of the ride?

We will send out two large group text messages to ensure everyone is connected. We will also provide the bus driver’s number to all riders.

17. Does L2RC have a need for sponsors?

YES! We love to have sponsors for our team and will actively promote products during the ride. We have promoted Heiney Healer (butt balm), cider, beer, and CBD products as a team. If you know of a sponsor, please contact Threase or Bev!

L2RC Sponsors

Contact Us For Sponsorship Opportunities!