RAGBRAI Honors Co-Founders in 2027 Theme
The 'Spirit of '73' theme celebrates John Karras and Donald Kaul, the Des Moines Register journalists who helped launch the ride.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Theme Parks
RAGBRAI unveiled its 2027 theme, 'Spirit of '73,' along with a new logo and jersey at its Des Moines headquarters on November 6. The theme honors co-founders John Karras and Donald Kaul, Des Moines Register journalists behind the ride that began in 1973.
Why it matters
The theme ties the world's largest annual multiday recreational bicycle tour to its origins, when about 300 cyclists rode from Sioux City to Davenport. Registration for the 2027 ride opens November 15, giving Des Moines-area riders and organizers a timeline to plan.
The 1973 inaugural ride drew about 300 cyclists from Sioux City to Davenport. The 2027 event adds an optional 100-mile Karras Loop, while the full route will not be publicly revealed until January 23, 2027.
The players
RAGBRAI
The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa is a long-running recreational cycling tour that has grown into the world's largest annual multiday bicycle tour.
John Karras
A Des Moines Register journalist and RAGBRAI co-founder whose work helped launch the ride in 1973.
Donald Kaul
A Des Moines Register journalist and RAGBRAI co-founder who joined Karras in creating the inaugural 1973 ride.
The details
The theme, logo and jersey were unveiled November 6 at RAGBRAI's Des Moines headquarters. Bronze statues of Karras and Kaul will be moved from Water Works Park to the headquarters, and a virtual town hall covered training, equipment and logistics.
Timeline
1973: RAGBRAI's first ride from Sioux City to Davenport with about 300 cyclists.
November 6, 2026: Theme, logo and jersey unveiled in Des Moines.
November 15, 2026: Registration opens for the 2027 ride.
January 23, 2027: 2027 route revealed at the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines.
July 24-31, 2027: 2027 RAGBRAI ride scheduled.
Season Trajectory
The 2027 theme returns the ride to its 1973 origins, when about 300 cyclists rode from Sioux City to Davenport. Its anniversary-based theme marks a point in the event's long history as it continues to grow.
Riders planning for 2027 can register starting November 15 and should note that optional challenges come with commemorative patches. Training is recommended to start with 10- to 20-mile stretches and build to 60- to 70-mile days.
The takeaway
Riders who want to join the 2027 'Spirit of '73' celebration should register on November 15 and begin training gradually. Following the route reveal in January will help them plan lodging and camping in each overnight town.
What happens next
The 2027 route will be revealed January 23, 2027, at the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines, and an official training program is expected in early February.
Further reading
For more on destinations and events like this, explore our Theme Parks coverage.
