Well, it's time again for RAGBRAI so here are 2 stories about the ride as well as a sprinkling of stories about other notable rides in the news...

RAGBRAI
Let's Restore Iowa's Soul: Its Hospitable Small Towns
RAGBRAI rider & Des Moines Register columnist Richard Doak laments the disappearing small town essence of Iowa.

RAGBRAI XXXIV Begins in Northwestern Iowa
The Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa began yesterday in Woodbury County in western Iowa. Organizers expected a crowd of 20000 people at the start of the 444 mile road tour. The tour ends in Muscatine, Iowa on July 29th. More RAGBRAI Stories

- Other Notable Cycling Tour Stories -
Cycle Oregon's Weekend Tour
700 bicyclists rode 69 miles in Saturday's stage of Cycle Oregon's two-day out and back tour from Eugene to Oakland, overcoming triple digit heat, tacks & minor vandalism.

Injured War Vets To Cycle Into Palm Springs
On July 27, a group of US war veterans will bicycle into Palm Springs, California as part of a cross country bike ride from Montauk, New York. The ride raises funds for the rehabilitation of war veterans returning home with serious injuries incurred in military conflicts abroad.

Student Pedals 1400 Miles To Visit Girlfriend
A student at Indiana's Goshen College bicycles from Iowa, through South Dakota and across Montana to visit his sweetheart.