Iowa events
Iowa motorcycle events, rides and bike nights
Iowa motorcycle events are mostly local and personal: bike nights in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities, charity poker runs, the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in May, and fall color runs to the northeast bluffs and the Loess Hills. And the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa makes a good ride destination in any month. Here's what comes around every year and how to find what's on near you.
- Season
- April to October
- Must-see
- National Motorcycle Museum
- Big trip
- Sturgis, August
- Post your own
- Free
Every year
Recurring motorcycle events and destinations in Iowa
These come around most years or are open all season. Dates change year to year, so check the organizer before you plan.
- National Motorcycle MuseumIn Anamosa, a large collection of American and vintage motorcycles and memorabilia. A great destination ride from Cedar Rapids, Iowa City or the Quad Cities. Check the museum for hours.
- Distinguished Gentleman's RideEvery May, riders dress sharp on classic and vintage-style bikes and ride for men's health. Des Moines and other Iowa cities usually host rides. Register on the DGR site.
- Sturgis Motorcycle RallyEvery August in South Dakota. Iowa riders head northwest across the prairie for one of the biggest rallies in the country. Check the rally organizer for dates.
- Fall color runsOctober brings group rides to the Great River Road, IA 9 and the Loess Hills. Many are posted by shops and clubs, so watch the events map.
- Charity rides and toy runsClubs, rider groups and dealers run charity poker runs through the season and toy runs in fall. Check the events map for local ones.
In the app
Upcoming Iowa motorcycle events in Rippin'
Rippin's events map covers the whole US. It puts bike nights, meets, rallies, swap meets, charity rides and toy runs on the same map as turf, segments and poker stops. Set your area and events show nearest first, then tap RSVP so the organizer knows you're coming.
The list below comes from the app's map and updates when this page is rebuilt; the app always has the latest. Details come from organizers and can change, so confirm before you ride out. Read more on motorcycle events in Rippin'.
Live from the app
Iowa on Rippin' right now.
2 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in Iowa on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
- Thu Nov 5Ladies Night at Zylstra Harley-DavidsonAmes
- Fri Jan 15AMA FIM North American Arenacross ChampionshipCedar Rapids
No Iowa roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.
Every week
How to find bike nights in Iowa
Bike nights are how you find people to ride with, and in Iowa they're the backbone of the riding calendar.
- 1
Open Meets
In Rippin', open meets and events and set your area: Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport, Dubuque, Sioux City or wherever you ride.
- 2
RSVP
Tap RSVP on the ones you'll make, so riders can see who's coming.
- 3
Ride in together
Start a group ride so everyone is on one live map on the way.
- 4
Post the missing ones
If your regular night isn't listed, post it and set it to repeat weekly or monthly.
Make your own
Destination rides that work like events
Iowa doesn't host one of the giant national rallies, so a lot of riding here is built around destinations. Pick a museum, a river town or a covered bridge, set a meeting time and post it as a meet. Anamosa and the Amana Colonies make a full day from eastern Iowa. McGregor, Marquette and Lansing make a fall weekend. Winterset and the covered bridges are an easy afternoon from Des Moines.
Our guide to the best motorcycle roads in Iowa has the routes to get there.
Add yours
Post your Iowa motorcycle event
Iowa's events map is still filling in, so a bike night you post gets seen. Any rider can post one for free, and the Iowa overview shows how the rest of Rippin' works across the state.
Shops and clubs that host a lot of events can use Organizer Pro ($8.99/mo) for unlimited and recurring meets, official events and recurring ride plans. A shop, cafe or bar can also become a poker stop, so every rider who shows up gets dealt a card.
- 1
Create it
Add the name, time, place and a short note on what to expect.
- 2
Make it repeat
A weekly bike night only needs to be set up once.
- 3
Share it
Send it to your squad and post it to the feed. Riders RSVP in the app.
Seasons
Iowa's motorcycle event calendar, by season
Spring (April to May): Season openers, blessings of the bikes and the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride. Watch for storms and date changes.
Summer (June to August): Weekly bike nights, charity poker runs and the trip to Sturgis. Check the RAGBRAI route in late July.
Fall (September to October): Group color rides to Decorah, McGregor and the Loess Hills, plus the season's last bike nights.
Winter (November to March): Toy runs while the weather holds, then indoor events and museum days. See the best time to ride in Iowa for the season picture.
Before you go
Before you ride to an Iowa event
- Confirm the date with the organizer the week before.
- Check the radar and the wind. Prairie storms build fast.
- Check your route for gravel, especially if an app planned it.
- Ride home in daylight. Deer and farm equipment are hardest to see at dusk.
- Share a ride plan with your squad so everyone knows the time, route and stops.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What motorcycle events are in Iowa?
Bike nights, charity poker runs, the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in May and fall color runs. The National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa is a ride destination in any season.
Where is the National Motorcycle Museum?
In Anamosa, in eastern Iowa, between Cedar Rapids and Dubuque. Check the museum for hours before you ride.
Is there a big motorcycle rally in Iowa?
Iowa doesn't host one of the giant national rallies. Many Iowa riders head to Sturgis in South Dakota each August.
When is the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in Iowa?
It's held worldwide in May. Check the DGR site for Iowa rides and dates.
How do I find bike nights near Des Moines?
Open meets and events in Rippin', set your area and browse what's nearest. If your regular night isn't listed, post it and set it to repeat.
Can I post my own motorcycle event in Rippin'?
Yes, any rider can post a meet or event for free. Organizer Pro adds unlimited and recurring meets and official events for shops and clubs.
See what's on in Iowa.
Download Rippin' free, find Iowa events and bike nights on the map, and post the ones we're missing.
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