Thousands of cyclists are arriving in Ames on Tuesday on the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI).

Get to know them here.

Name: Laura Wilson

Age: 49

From: Mankato, Minnesota

First RAGBRAI: 1998

Number of times you have participated: 20

Amount of the route you are riding: “The entire route.”

Why you participate in RAGBRAI: “it’s fun. I love to bike and I’ve been doing this for a long time now. We camp with the same people so it’s fun to reconnect.”

What RAGBRAI means to you: “Having fun, reconnecting with people and seeing the Iowa countryside.”

Who you ride with: “Family and Friends.”

Name: Sue Marcus Willbois

Age: 63

From: Des Moines, Iowa

First RAGBRAI: This year

Amount of the route you are riding: “Ames until the end of the route.”

Why you participate in RAGBRAI: “I’ve always wanted to do it, it’s flat and the weather looks like it’ll be beautiful so I decided it was now or never.”

What RAGBRAI means to you: “It’s what Iowa is all about. Friendly people, helping each other and having fun. It’s great to be able to see the entire state.”

Who you ride with: “Myself.”

Name: Maddie Aune

Age: 22

From: From Virginia, live in Omaha, Nebraska

First RAGBRAI: This year

Amount of the route you are riding: “The full route and maybe the bonus loop.”

Why you participate in RAGBRAI: “I just finished my undergrad and so me and my mom thought it would be a great senior trip. I’m going to dental school in August, so this kind of our last hoorah.”

What RAGBRAI means to you: “It means a lot. It’s been really really fun. To be able to do this with my mom has been a great experience. It’s been cool to all meet people from all over. We’ve met people from Washington, Texas and Florida and we’ve been able to make connections with some. For instance, I met my friends uncle. It’s crazy to see the amount of people, their experiences and where they come from.”

Who you ride with: “My mom.”

Name: David Griffith

Age: 51

From: Le Claire, Iowa

First RAGBRAI: 2009

Number of times you have participated: Eight or nine times.”

Amount of the route you are riding: “Unsure, I have to be back to work on Thursday.”

Why you participate in RAGBRAI: “It’s a good time, a lot of fun. It’s exercise, like minded people, great way to travel.”

What RAGBRAI means to you: “It celebrates fitness and fun.”

Who you ride with: “A group of friends.”