Ryan Van Duzer Steps Back from RAGBRAI – How Long?

The Journey of a YouTube Influencer and RAGBRAI Enthusiast

ORANGE CITY — Will this be the final ride for Ryan Van Duzer, a YouTube influencer who has brought global attention to the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI)? For now, it seems so. Van Duzer, 46, who first participated in RAGBRAI in 2012 after a friend encouraged him to join, announced on his YouTube channel in March that he would be taking a break after this summer.

This year marks his eighth participation in RAGBRAI, which kicked off on Sunday, July 20. At the Bike Expo held in Orange City the day before the ride began, Van Duzer expressed his intention to return to the event but admitted he can't confirm when exactly that will happen.

"I love it with all my heart, and sometimes you've got to leave behind things you love to realize how special it is," he said. "I'll come back someday, but I do want to open up my summer to other adventures."

He added, "It's going to be my last for a while. Next year when I'm not doing RAGBRAI, I'll be bummed out, wherever I am in the world."

A Growing Fanbase and Global Influence

Van Duzer’s journey into video production began after he earned a broadcast journalism degree from the University of Colorado in 2005. He started a public access TV show in Boulder called "Out There," focusing on adventure travel. Later, he worked as a freelance journalist for the Travel Channel.

By 2016, he launched his independent YouTube channel, where he gained popularity for documenting extreme, off-road challenges in remote and exotic locations. However, it was his passion for RAGBRAI that truly set him apart. In 2023, he explained his connection to the ride: "I love people, I love big events. I feed off of energy, positive energy, and that's what RAGBRAI is."

His infectious enthusiasm has drawn many fans to join him on the ride. Wearing pink Team Duzer T-shirts, they often chant "olé, olé, olé, olé" as they cycle past each other.

At the annual bike expo in starting towns, fans line up to meet Van Duzer. His YouTube channel has over 200,000 subscribers, and he has nearly 48,000 followers on Instagram. Many international riders cite him as the reason they make the trip to Iowa.

Fans Appreciate More Than Just the Ride

Among those waiting to greet Van Duzer at the expo in Orange City were Mark and Liz Van Wyk from Urbandale. Mark said he enjoys the way Van Duzer's videos bring the sights and sounds of cycling around the world to his home.

"He's one of our regular channels I watch," he said. "It's just fun to see where he goes."

Liz Van Wyk also praised Van Duzer's outlook on life. "He has different people join him, he goes different places, and he's always positive and not complaining," she said.

A Call to Return

Despite his decision to take a break, Van Duzer still feels a deep connection to RAGBRAI. During a rest stop on the 2024 ride, he reflected on what draws him back.

"I come here and it reenergizes my soul," he said, gazing at a water tower in the distance. "There's a lot of beauty here. It's a different kind of beauty and it restores my faith in humanity."

Philip Joens, who is riding his 20th RAGBRAI, has completed the river-to-river trek eight times. He covers retail and real estate for the Des Moines Register and can be reached at 515-284-8184 or at pjoens@registermedia.com.