On Saturday night the Des Moines Register announced the major stops on the 2013 Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). The 406.6-mile ride takes a southern path through the state from July 21 to July 27. It is the second-shortest route in RAGBRAI history and the seventh-easiest in terms of feet of climb. (Last year’s route was also on the easy side.) Bonus for RAGBRAI riders: this year’s route goes through what is probably Iowa’s best small town for ethnic food. UPDATE: The lead ride planner for the Des Moines Register explained at the announcement party that they went with a relaxed route this year because although last year’s ride was supposed to be easy, it turned out to be grueling with temperatures above 100 degrees several days.

Overnight stops are after the jump.

P.S.-An exhibition on RAGBRAI and the history of bicycling in Iowa will open this summer at the State Historical Museum in Des Moines, I learned today at the Iowa Bike Expo. Anyone who appreciates trails, bike lanes and everything that makes bicycling safer and more fun in Iowa should go join the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.

The official RAGBRAI website is supposed to include details about the ride, but at this writing it isn’t loading. The site should be back up later. The Des Moines Register has a blog post with basic information about the overnight towns.

RAGBRAI riders will start in Council Bluffs (Pottawattamie County) on Sunday, July 21.

July 21: 56.8 miles miles with 2,476 feet of climb to Harlan (Shelby County).

Monday, July 22: 83 miles with 4,239 feet of climb to Perry (Dallas County).

Tuesday, July 23: 49.9 miles with 1,308 feet of climb to Des Moines (Polk County).

Wednesday, July 24: 49.9 miles with 2,920 feet of climb to Knoxville (Marion County).

Thursday, July 25: 52 miles with 2,808 feet of climb to Oskaloosa (Mahaska County).

Friday, July 26: 52 miles with 1,222 feet of climb to Fairfield (Jefferson County). Fairfield contains Maharishi University and is the heart of the “Silicorn Valley,” so look for good ethnic restaurants here.

Saturday, July 27: 63 miles with 2,427 feet of climb to Fort Madison (Lee County).