Let Your Faith Take Flight During RAGBRAI LII

by Alexis Nicholson | July 17, 2025

Bike parked outside on a summer morning

Heading out for RAGBRAI this year? Don't miss these opportunities to visit and support parishes across the state.

Sunday, July 20 - Day 1, Orange City to Milford

If you are looking to meet your Sunday Mass obligation there are three options on the way to Day 1's overnight town of Milford. Depending on your group pace and leave time, these could work for you. Unfortunately, there is no Sunday evening Mass in Milford so if you are unable to attend Mass you can always read the daily readings at USCCB.org and offer a prayer of spiritual communion.

Prayer Opportunities:

  • Mile of Silence - The RAGBRAI "Mile of Silence" is a time when riders observe a moment of silence in memory of cyclists who have been injured or killed when riding on public roadways. Take this time to offer up a prayer for those riders and ask for the protection of all riders on the road today.
  • Primghar - 8 AM Mass at St. Anthony Church
  • Granville - 8 AM Mass at St. Joseph Church
  • Hartley (Meeting Town) - 9:30 AM Mass at St. Joseph Church

Places to Eat:

  • Granville- Following the 8 AM Mass in Granville there will be a cereal and milk bar in the St. Joseph Parish Center.
  • Milford - St. Joseph will host a spaghetti dinner in the parish center from 4-8 PM. The cost is $12/person for homemade spaghetti, a dessert bar, and beverages.

Monday, July 21 - Day 2, Milford to Estherville

If you weren't able to attend Mass on Sunday you will have another opportunity today for daily Mass in Estherville. 

Prayer Opportunities:

  • Estherville - 5 PM Mass at St. Patrick Church

Places to Eat:

  • Milford - St. Joseph will be offering an omelet breakfast from 5-8 AM on Monday morning at the parish center. Cost is $12/person and includes omelets, freshly baked cinnamon rolls, and beverages.
  • Estherville - The Estherville Knights of Columbus will be serving a spaghetti dinner at the Duhigg Center.

Tuesday, July 22 - Day 3, Estherville to Forest City

Places to Eat:

  • Bancroft -Pie slices will be for sale in the air-conditioned basement of St. John the Baptist Church in Bancroft. A great place to cool off and fuel up before doing the Karras Loop!

Wednesday, July 23 - Day 4, Forest City to Iowa Falls

Day 4 is "I Ride 4 Day", so be sure to sport a jersey with your favorite charity! 

Places to Eat:

  • Iowa Falls -St. Mark's Catholic Church is hosting a spaghetti dinner with breadsticks, cookies, and drinks.

Thursday, July 24 - Day 5, Iowa Falls to Cedar Falls

Places to Eat:

  • Parkersburg (Meeting Town) - St. Patrick's Catholic Church is serving a grilled pork tenderloin lunch with potato salad, pie, and drinks.
  • Cedar Falls - St. Patrick's Church is hosting a fish fry dinner.

Friday, July 25 - Day 6, Cedar Falls to Oelwein

Prayer Opportunities:

  • Oelwein - 5 PM Catholic Mass & Bike Blessing at Sacred Heart Church.

Places to Eat:

  • Cedar Falls - St. Patrick's Church is hosting a fish fry dinner.

Saturday, July 26 - Day 7, Oelwein to Guttenberg

Prayer Opportunities:

  • Oeilwein - 6 AM Catholic Mass & Bike Blessing at Sacred Heart Church.
Alexis Nicholson

Alexis is the Digital Evangelization Specialist for the Diocese of Des Moines. She manages and optimizes the Diocese website and social media accounts to boldly proclaim the Gospel. When she isn't falling into a rabbit hole about the latest social media trends she likes to go for runs, try new breweries, and harass her two cats, Arya and Jojo.