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: Jon Wolgamuth

Age: 49

From: Pleasant Hill, Iowa

First RAGBRAI: 1994

Number of times you have participated: Eight

Amount of the route you are riding: He is riding for two days and then supporting family members riding most of the trip.

Why you participate in RAGBRAI: “It’s family time, it’s exercise, it’s a challenge. It’s not easy.”

What RAGBRAI means to you: “It has changed: It used to be ‘can I do it?’ Now. it’s a family group effort to the same goal.”

Who you ride with: He rides with his family, which consists of his wife, two kids, brother and nephew.

 Name: Chris Zumwald

Age: 26

From: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

First RAGBRAI: “This is my first year.”

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

Why you participate in RAGBRAI: “We’re from Iowa so it’s something we’ve contemplated doing, and we decided that now is the time.”

What RAGBRAI means to you: “It drives a lot of people in Iowa, when maybe other things wouldn’t. It’s great for our community.”

Who you ride with: Friends

Name: Trace Minor

Age: 26

From: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

First RAGBRAI: “This is my first year.”

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

Why you participate in RAGBRAI: “Cycling has always been a passion of mine and living in Iowa, we both knew that we had to give it a shot.”

What RAGBRAI means to you: “For me, it’s seeing people come together from different places. We’ve some locals and some people from far away, like New Zealand. It’s a great opportunity to make friends.”

Who you ride with: Friends

 Name: Ed Castro

From: Florida

Number of times you have participated: This is his first year.

Amount of the route you are riding: The whole route.

Why you participate in RAGBRAI: “My mother went to the University of Iowa, so I always thought this would be kinda cool.”

What RAGBRAI means to you: “There’s nothing else like it. It’s so much fun, it’s been a really good learning experience.”

Who you ride with: A group of four friends and his sister

 Name: Debra Vegas

Age: 64

From: Scituate, Massachusetts

First RAGBRAI: 2001

Number of times you have participated: 7

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

Why you participate in RAGBRAI: “I love biking. Being able to say that you rode a bike across the state is awesome.”

What RAGBRAI means to you: “It means a lot to me. My mom did RAGBRAI back in 1980. I love it. I love Iowa and the friendly people.”

Who you ride with: Myself