[MUSIC] [NARRATOR] We take you on a five-hundred plus mile journey through the state of Iowa on the 50th anniversary of the worlds largest organized bike ride... RAGBRAI!

[AIRPLANE ENGINE] [CROWD MURMUR] [NARRATOR] Welcome to Sioux City, Iowa.

The RAGBRAI expo is where you'll find tens of thousands of riders from around the world as they kick off the state-wide journey.

And if you're lucky, you just might have an opportunity to meet your favorite YouTuber, such as the popular cyclist and outdoor adventurer, Ryan Van Duzer.

[RYAN] Hey!

What's up!

How ya doing?

Good to see you!

Whats up, whats up!

Ahhh!

Good to see you.

I just got to give this guy a book... [ANN] Hey Darren made it!

[RYAN] Right on!

Good to see you!

No way!

Youre here!

This is so cool.

[DARREN] Thanks, man.

[RYAN] I just need to get this guy a book really quick.

[ANN] Yeah, go!

Awesome.

Oh, my goodness.

[RYAN] Hang out with us for a bit.

[ANN] Okay.

[RYAN] Yeah.

- We have pizza here, if people want pizza!

[MAN] - Come get pizza!

[MUSIC] [NARRATOR] Day one takes us eastward, from Sioux City to the overnight town of Storm Lake.

Riders are in for a seventy-plus mile journey covering over 3500 feet of climbing.

Many get an early start to their day making sure that they have everything they need... tools, food and hydration before heading out on Iowa's country roads.

Let's check in and see what the other riders are up to.

Well, I'll be!

It looks like RAGBRAI 50 is officially underway!

Sometimes the locals get a kick out of it just as much as the riders do... setting up free roadside refreshments and enjoying the spectacle.

[CROWD MURMUR] [WOMAN] - Nice!

[NARRATOR] Some are more of a spectacle than others.

Don't forget your chamois butter!

[CROWD LAUGHTER AND MURMUR] [NARRATOR] For many at RAGBRAI, the opportunity to meet and learn about other people is a popular pastime.

Some say it's what makes the event as popular as it is.

Such is the case with Annie and her father Greg, who we met just cooling off under the shade.

And so we sat and talked about home.

Hey Greg, tell us what you know about Guam.

[GREG] Its in the US... I'm not sure of the term.

Uh, I remember watching um... some sort of race, some sort of challenge thing that went through Guam, right?

If I'm remembering that correctly?

[ANNIE] To be honest, I've never - I've never even left the country yet.

So I don't - guess I've never experienced, um... what - if you're comparing Guam and midwest kindness I've never experienced what Guam kindness is I guess.

Or island kindness is.

No, we're from Grand Rapids Michigan, actually.

[GREG] Ten hours away.

Its actually five hours to Davenport where we dropped off the car, and then five more hours across, so... biking our way halfway home.

[ANNIE] I saw a YouTube video, actually, Kara and Nate are the YouTubers and that was probably like, they did it two years ago.

So I saw it like a year and a half ago and I was like, talking to my roommates.

I was like, Would anybody do it?

Theyre like, No, that's silly.

And so I was like, I'll text my dad and theyre like, No way hed say yes.

So I texted.

I was like, Any chance youd do this with me?

I sent the YouTube video, and he just said, Sure.

And so last year it didnt workout.

We really had a vacation planned, But, we stuck with it and were here.

[GREG] And the people have been really friendly.

It's a different kind of beautiful.

It is pretty.

[ANNIE] The rolling hills, the cornfields... it's really pretty.

I feel like West Michigan is kind of known for its small town like, kindness too, but which I love about like West Michigan.

And I think this really compares to that.

Just like, we stopped, what was it, like seven miles in we saw a couple handing out free waters.

We just sat and talked with them for a little bit.

Yeah, I mean, we haven't been through many small towns.

This is our first, like, stopping town.

But so far, like, the Iowa kindness has been really true from what weve seen.

[GREG] Yes!

[ANNIE] Yeah.

[NARRATOR] Thanks, you two.

See you at the finish.

[MUSIC] [NARRATOR] It's another beautiful morning for the thousands of campers as they wake up to blue skies, sore muscles and the hunt for coffee.

For riders who are registered, each morning they brave the line to the official RAGBRAI baggage truck.

They load up their bags onto the truck and then the truck transports the riders' bags to the next overnight town where it'll be waiting for them after the day's ride.

Day two takes us from Storm Lake to the overnight town of Carroll, covering close to 60 miles and 1700 feet of climb.

[BIRDS CHIRPING] [NARRATOR] Today is the optional gravel day for the riders who choose a little bit of peace and quiet away from the large crowds.

Long stretches of beautiful scenery greet riders on Iowa's backroads.

[HANDS CLAPPING] - Success!

[MUSIC] [NARRATOR] Meanwhile...back on the road, riders are in good spirits as they know they only have a few miles left to go.

[CROWD MURMUR] [MAN] - Get me!

Hey!

[NARRATOR] At the end of the day, riders once again set up camp, grab a shower, and enjoy a free shuttle ride to downtown Carroll to support and experience the town's local shops and restaurants.

Or, just to enjoy some good ol' people watching.

Boy, that sure is a lot of campers.

Until tomorrow, rest easy.

[MUSIC] [NARRATOR] The morning of day three gets off to a great start as riders make the trip to the next overnight town of Ames.

It's also the Karras Loop Century Day, where riders have the option of riding 100 miles for special bragging rights.

We also meet Daniel, who talks about his experiences in Guam and Iowa, and what he loves about both.

[DANIEL] So what I love about being in Iowa right now, and also I've been to Guam because Ive been in the Navy, I think that there's a lot of connection between both places.

I loved it, like, the scenery.

I'm in Iowa this week.

This week, heaven is Iowa.

When I was in Guam, I thought Guam was like heaven because it was so amazing.

The people are nice, the scenery is beautiful.

I loved it for the snorkeling.

For here, I love it for the biking.

They have different things, and you know, somebody would say they're like polar opposites, but in reality theyre the same.

And I love that about it.

I've been riding for a little over five years on and off for suicide prevention.

My organizations called the One Pedal At A Time Movement and it's about encouraging people to become active.

And really for this program, it's about cycling and getting people on bikes.

But in reality it's just about movement.

Were getting people involved in communities that we have within those communities of activities so that we don't feel alone and its hard to think about those dark thoughts when you're being super active because you have to stay focused and you have to think about what you're doing in the moment.

Same thing as cycling.

And uh, thankfully, it saved my life as well.

I attempted suicide three times, was planning number four, when a friend got me on a bicycle.

And that same friend is the one that told me it's one pedal at a time.

And you know, biking could have changed my life, but it was that phrase that became my mantra, my nonprofit and my way of life in reality.

- Bracelets?

[DANIEL] Because... even in our hardest days, we can still take that next step And if we cant, that's when we need to ask for help so that we can get the help to take our next step.

Don't be afraid to ask those questions.

Don't be afraid to say, Hey, are you thinking of suicide?

Are you depressed?

You know, because... if they arent thinking of suicide and you ask them that question, they're going to be so thankful that somebody is thinking of them on that level.

It's making me emotional.

It's...it's important.

And if you call them out on it and they are thinking of it, maybe they will realize that theres people out there that are being aware and acknowledging their their struggles and their need for help, and hopefully that gives them the courage to say, Yeah, I am struggling with suicide or the thoughts of suicide.

So just make sure if someone ever comes to you or if you know somebody thats struggling, be heard.

Let them be heard.

Listen.

Judgment free.

And... take it one person at a time, one pedal at a time, one moment at a time, even one breath at a time, and we can all get through it.

[NARRATOR] One pedal at a time.

Wise words.

[NARRATOR] As the riders pull into town, a rare treat awaits.

RAGBRAI orgranizers planned a section of the day's route to travel through the famous Jack Trice Stadium home of the Cyclones... complete with cheers and encouragement from the university cheerleaders.

[NARRATOR] This was definitely a win - a worthwhile stop to score some special photo ops.

Say cheese!

[MUSIC] [BICYCLE BELL] [NARRATOR] Day three appropriately winds down with a gentle ride through this calm neighborhood park in Ames.

After a hundred miles of road, tons of food vendors, stories and new friends, I can say this is going to be one restful night.

[GENERATORS HUMMING] [NARRATOR] If you can sleep through the sound of generators, that is.

[GENERATORS HUMMING] [NARRATOR] Ah, rise and shine!

Day four takes us from Ames to the capitol city of Des Moines, with an easy 54 miles ahead.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] ♪ ...little girl, youre in the middle ♪ ♪ of the ride ♪ ♪ everything, everything will be alright ♪ ♪ everything, everything will be alright, alright.

♪ ♪ It just takes some time ♪ ♪ little girl, youre in the middle ♪ ♪ of the ride ♪ ♪ everything, everything will be just fine ♪ ♪ everything, everything will be alright, alright.

♪ [BICYCLE BELL] [MAN] - Rock on!

[NARRATOR] The best thing about RAGBRAI one could argue, is the people.

The hospitality, kindness and stories shared by those you meet along the way are the essence of what makes the journey so special.

Family, friends and community.

Seems to be the common thread so far.

[MUSIC] [NARRATOR] Well, would you look at this!

Ah yes!

There's nothing like rolling down the open freeway just you and your bike, with the sun on your face and the wind at your back.

[MUSIC] [NARRATOR] Now... I can't think of a more perfect way to end the day than with a ride like this into Des Moines.

Can you?

[MUSIC] [BICYCLES PASSING] [NARRATOR] Ugh.

Day five greets the riders with a cool, misty morning but dont let that fool you.

The rest of todays forecast calls for hills, hills, and more hills.

[MUSIC] [NARRATOR] In fact, its been noted that this years route has the highest climbing elevation in all of RAGBRAIs fifty year history.

Just our luck.

Because of all the hills we had to climb, well... thats all we have to show for day five.

Hmm... better luck next time, I hope.

[MUSIC] [NARRATOR] Two more days left!

Day six is projected to be the hottest day ever recorded during RAGBRAIs history, a perfect time to take a break and chat with Alex and what he knows about Guam.

[ALEX] Guam?

Its... I believe its in the Pacific.

Its... far away... [CHUCKLES] and it's a US territory.

Originally from Blue Island, Illinois and I currently live in Munster, Indiana.

So I grew up in the rural suburb, which is quite a bit different from you know, a rural place, like farmland, but it's not too far away.

So I feel like we have... you know, I can be downtown Chicago in 30 minutes, but if I drive 30 minutes south, its all farms.

So its just right in the middle I guess that's kind of what suburban life is all about.

I mean, I think it comes down to like, got some family structures, community structures, and so some places have that.

I think it really just depends on the place, like, it could have you know, a big city like Chicago, where like, overall, it's like it's kind of hard to find a collective identity in a way besides, like, maybe sports or something like that.

But it's like, small units that are what really make up that nice community.

I think that it usually comes down to families.

[NARRATOR] Makes sense.

Thank you, Alex.

Stay safe and stay hydrated.

And when youre talking about cultural experiences you cant forget the most memorable of them all... the international language of food.

[COL.

STEEVES] Hey, my name is Geoff Steeves.

Im at Whiteman Air Force Base.

I'm a colonel in the United States Air Force.

I spent some time in the Midwest over the course of my career and also as a deployment to Guam at Andersen Air Force Base and I'd say both the CHamoru food in Guam and the food here in Iowa, are both amazing.

[MUSIC] [NARRATOR] As the day continues, the riders slowly pedal through the unbearably humid Iowa heat.

The heat index is said to be 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

I dont know about you, but I get the feeling that Guam and Iowa have more in common than we thought.

Maybe itll help us to get the heat off our minds if we think of other similarities.

Oof, its hot!

What were we talking about again?

[DAVID] We were talking about similarities between people in Guam, people here in Iowa and the mainland, so forth.

Like, the family is really, really strong.

You find that there... there is a lot of concern about the local neighborhood the community, taking care of one another.

Its just, those types of things are really, really important for both people here in the mainland and also in Guam.

Uh, name is David Martinez.

Some of the things Ive talked to others, that when I was in the Air Force, are... we had discussed how, how the territories of Guam and of Puerto Rico had so many things in common with the United - you know, the mainland United States.

It was - theyre brothers in arms and it's a really, really close relationship that I think should be better known amongst a lot of different people here on the mainland.

[NARRATOR] Thank you, David.

I couldnt agree more.

Stay cool.

[MUSIC] [NARRATOR] Its day seven!

We finally made it to the last day of RAGBRAI!

These smiling faces share the bittersweet feeling of RAGBRAI coming to an end.

Like most of the riders, the kindness from all the people weve met along the way will carry us through the last seventy-one miles across the beautiful state of Iowa.

[MUSIC] [CROWD MURMUR] [NARRATOR] Ah yes.

Back to reality.

Well, here we are.

For the thousands of riders coming to the end of RAGBRAI, theyll be reminiscing in the days ahead about their lifetime experience here in Iowa.

Seven days of cycling and over five hundred miles covering one end of the state to the other.

For some, its a one-time bucket list item ready to be crossed off.

For others, theyll be back next year.

In the meantime, lets check in on the other side of this cultural exchange.

And so...off we go.

[MUSIC] [NARRATOR] Here we are, the beautiful island of Guam... as these early morning cyclists prepare for their weekend ride.

I wonder if anyone in the group would have anything to say about their experiences with Iowa.

Lets ask Ryan.

Ryan, what do you think?

[RYAN] I think for me, Iowa, when I was going to college, uh, the wrestling.

I think Iowa has one of the best wrestling teams, you know.

And then also, too, when I became a teacher, I had students that were into jiu-jitsu, so I told them, ‘Ay - join wrestling, and they loved it.

So we would watch things on YouTube and man, the kids in Iowa are the real deal.

But even just their build, you know, you can tell.

Strong bunch of people.

Yeah, Iowa, that's what I know about Iowa.

[CHUCKLES] [GLENN] I started riding mountain bikes in, actually, in Utah, and I was riding mountain bikes off season in Utah from, you know, in between the snows.

I was a snowboarder and then moved from Utah to Oklahoma.

My name is Glenn Ladehoff.

I was on a small shop team for about five years and we did a bunch of local crits.

There's the Tulsa Tough, which I've got to see the first Tulsa Tough, and now it's expanded into a huge racing scene.

Um, I don't know.

I think I did like four or five Tulsa Toughs.

When I was moving here to Guam, the first thing that I did was, I started looking on social media to see who rode bikes, and then I met Eric through Guam Cycling Federation and he's like, Sure, come ride with us.

And and that's how it started.

And I've been riding with Eric for two years now.

Eric Tydingco, I am the president of the Guam Cycling Federation and our signature event every year is the Tour of Guam, held in December.

It's certainly a destination event.

The locals love it.

We average around, I would say close to over 200 people actually.

And this year, man, we're getting a lot of tourists coming over for it to participate in.

And I think for them it's the appeal of riding in an island, riding and doing a bike race in an island, and then also kind of mixing with the locals.

[GLENN] So the similarities between like, rural America and and Guam is and Guam is of course being on the bike.

The bike is the...the bike brings everybody together.

You know, when I was in Oklahoma, I rode with, I road with lawyers I rode with doctors.

I rode with, you know, I mean, I worked at a shop.

So it's like every every class you can think of, the bike brings us all together.

And that's everywhere.

Whether if it's mainland, if it's Guam, if it's in Europe.

I've ridden in Scotland.

Um, it's the same.

It's always - the bike is the lowest common denominator, but it's also that person that you ride with.

And it doesn't matter what that person does, what you do, it's what you're doing during that time that you're bonded together with that person and it's through the bike and that shared experience.

[MUSIC] [NARRATOR] Not bad.

Well, that says it all.

Safe travels... meeting up with friends old and new for the adventure ahead.

[MUSIC] [GLENN] You would think that... theres not that much to ride here, but the terrain is so - its very, very beautiful here.

So don't come here.

[CHUCKLES]