RAGBRAI July 18-25, 2026
Onawa, Harlan, Guthrie Center, Boone, Marshalltown, Independence, Dyersville, and Dubuque
This is the shortest ever route and tenth hilliest RAGBRAI, covering 391.4 miles and 16,027 feet of climb
Powered by Plants Cycling is a RAGBRAI team focused on a vegan lifestyle + sharing compassion for animals and the planet.
A vegan dinner is the highlight for us during RAGBRAI. But there’s more…
Vegan RAGBRAI is possible! We’re a laid back team of about 50 cyclists who are passionate about eating a plant-based diet and being conscious of the environment while biking across Iowa. RAGBRAI is all about riding at your own pace, stopping at the stops you find appealing, and talking to people from all over the world as you ride through small towns and open country roads, passing by thousands of acres of corn.
We’ll be upfront though: this isn’t the most luxurious way one can do RAGBRAI. We won’t set up your tent, but there will be a nourishing vegan meal and great company each night. RAGBRAI helps place us in every host town where we camp. Kybos are always close by and it’ll be quick walk or short bike ride to a shower truck or school. The highlight is eating a plant-based meal together and recounting our days on the road while getting to know other like-minded individuals from all over the world.
Never heard of RAGBRAI? It’s a bike ride across Iowa in 7 days with roughly 30,000 other cyclists.
“Working with athletes is my passion because there's so much you can do to support the body. I love to build people back up with a plant-based meal.” - Chef Lauren Montelbano
The Menu
*The menu is subject to change.
**Due to the nature of our menus and protein requirements, we can not accommodate anyone with soy or nut allergies. If you have further questions about if your allergy could be accepted, please email thevibrantveg@gmail.com.
*** The meal package we offer for the week of RAGBRAI includes seven nights of dinner + dessert. The weekly meal package does not include breakfast. More information about that can be found here.
Day 0: Onawa
Dinner: Oyster Mushroom Bulgogi Bowl with Marinated Beets, Chili Cucumbers, Shredded Carrot, Edamame, Fried Shallot and Miso Tahini Sauce.
Dessert: Baked Cheesecake with Berry Jam, Fresh Berries and Whipped Cream
Day 1: Onawa to Harlan (58.5 Miles, 3,465 ft)
Breakfast: Barretts Bagels, Smears, Nut Butters with Fresh Fruit, Jam
Dinner: Buffalo Cauliflower Bowl with Grains and Legumes, Garlic Broccoli, Celery Slaw and Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing.
Dessert: Cowgirl Cookies
Day 2: Harlan to Guthrie Center (53.9 Miles, 3,554 ft)
Breakfast: Granola with Fresh Fruit and Plant Milk
Dinner: Pesto Gnocchi with Summer Succotash, White Beans and Almond Ricotta, Salad with Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette.
Dessert: Peach Cobbler with Silken Cream
Day 3: Guthrie Center to Boone (59.5 Miles 1,503 ft)
Breakfast: Golden Milk Overnight Oats with Fruit
Dinner: Lentil and TVP Sloppy Janes. Summer Coleslaw. Grilled Corn.
Dessert: Sweet Potato Brownies
Day 4: Boone to Marshalltown (62.2 Miles 1,563 ft)
Breakfast: Vegan Frittata with Toast and Salsa
Dinner: Vegan Lasagna with Lentil Bolognese and Tofu Ricotta. Vegan Caesar with FU-tons.
Dessert: Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Bars
Day 5: Marshalltown to Independence (81.4 Miles 2,713 ft)
Breakfast: Toast Bar with Avocado, Nut Butters, Tomatos, Pickled Red Onions
Dinner: Edamame Noodle Stir Fry with Almond Butter Sauce and Sambal Tempeh. Sesame Slaw.
Dessert: Tropical Chia Pudding
Day 6: Independence to Dyersville (42.2 Miles 1,441 ft)
Breakfast: Granola with Fresh Fruit
Dinner: Taco Bar with Jackfruit Carnitas, Sofrito Beans, Spanish Rice, Cilantro Lime Slaw. Guac and Chips.
Dessert: Horchata Mousse
Day 7: Dyersville to Dubuque (33.7 Miles 1,788 ft)
Breakfast: Savory Lentil and Oat Porridge. Shiitakes. Sesame Vegetables. Sriracha.
$950 (plus tax) for the Week
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Team Chef Lauren Montelbano of The Vibrant Veg
3-4 support crew
7x plant-based dinners (Saturday-Friday from 6-7pm. If you arrive past 7pm, we can’t guarantee that food will be available for you.)
7x light breakfast (Sunday-Saturday, ideally breakfast is from 6-7am)
Pre-dinner snacks
Beverages: water + coffee + Tailwind hydration drink
PBPC 2026 Jersey (if you’d prefer to not order a jersey, the fee is $900)
Space to set up camp within walking distance or a short bike ride to a shower truck
Daily gear transport - you’re allowed up to 2 bags/bins (The 27 Gal. Tough Storage Tote in Black with Yellow Lid is great for stacking. Link here)
Camp chairs for everyone to use at camp
Bike pumps
Charging station for most devices (please bring your own cords and label them with your name)
*Each year a portion of your entry fee will be donated to a farm sanctuary. We donated to Off The Table Farm Sanctuary in Westfield, WI in 2025.
*A portion of your team fee will also go toward our Gift of RAGBRAI Fund.
*If you are strapped for cash but interested in riding with Powered By Plants Cycling, please email beth@bethskogen.com for a form to fill out. We cannot guarantee financial support, but will do as much as we can to try and get you on the road.
If you’re inspired to help another rider financially, you can make a donation via Venmo (@bethskogen). Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities here.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
RAGBRAI registration is not included. Once you’ve paid to be on PBPC, you’ll need to register on the RAGBRAI website. We’ll send a code so you can choose Powered by Plants Cycling as your team.
We charter a school bus to and from RAGBRAI from Madison, Wisconsin, which is an additional cost of $100 each way. Please let us know if this is something you’re interested in. Otherwise, there are multiple other charters that transport riders to and from RAGBRAI from various cities. Check out the RAGBRAI website for more transportation options. We’re happy to help you figure it out!
Lunch
Tent + camping gear
Laundry
Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel your ride with us, please reach out us via email at info@poweredbyplantscycling.com and we will get back to you soon thereafter. Please Note: Cancel prior to March 1, 2026 and you’ll receive a full refund minus the 2.9% credit card processing fee per transaction. Cancel between March 1, 2026 and June 15, 2026 and you’ll receive your refund minus a $300.00 cancellation fee. Following June 15, 2026 no refunds will be offered for any reason.
COVID Disclaimer: During the week prior to RAGBRAI, if you are experiencing any COVID symptoms or you are a close contact according to the CDC guidelines, you are expected to test for COVID immediately and every other day after onset of symptoms or close contact. Any positive test will mean you are ineligible for this year’s RAGBRAI. If this is the case, we will provide a credit to be used towards a future RAGBRAI. During Ragbrai, if you develop COVID symptoms, you will be required to take a rapid COVID test. If your test result is positive, you’ll be asked to depart the team immediately. We will do our best to support you.
