RAGBRAI XII 1984 Cycling Poster Bike Bicycle Ride Across Iowa HTF Poster Framed - 24" x 36 RAGBRAI is an acronym and registered trademark for the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, which is a non-competitive bicycle
ride organized by The Des Moines Register. The ride goes across the state of Iowa
from west to east, and draws recreational riders from across the United States and many foreign countries. First held in 1973, RAGBRAI is the largest bike-touring event in the world. RAGBRAI began in 1973, when Des Moines Register feature writers John Karras and Donald Kaul  decided to go on a bicycle ride across Iowa; both men were avid cyclists
Karras challenged Kaul to do the ride and write articles about what he experienced. Kaul agreed to do it, but only if Karras also did the ride. Karras then agreed to ride, as well. Riders begin at a community on Iowa's western border and ride to a community on the eastern border, stopping in towns across the state. The ride is one week long, ending on the last Saturday of July each year, after beginning on the previous Sunday. The earliest possible starting date is July 19 and the latest is July 25.
RAGBRAI XII July 22-28, 1984 Register columnist Chuck Offenburger really got into the act with RAGBRAI XII, July 22- 28, 1984. He insisted that the route include his hometown, Shenandoah, and the town went all out for him and the 7,500 riders. For a second time, RAGBRAI started in Glenwood, then rode to Shenandoah, Creston, Adel, Pella, Ottumwa and Mount Pleasant before finishing again in Burlington. Because of increasing costs and growth in the size of the ride, The Register found it necessary to charge a fee for the first time.
The 1984 ride was blessed by near-perfect weather except for an early-morning rain in Pella and showers in Mount Pleasant.