Wow, I just looked at the map of this year and it looks really great for first timers, as far as hills and such. That area is really flat compared to lots of other routes. Have fun and eat lots of pie, sweet corn, and other church lady food. The small towns really go out of their way to welcome riders, it's the biggest economic splurge for them sometimes.

I still remember staying on my aunt and uncle's farm in NE Iowa when RAGBRAI went through. I sat in a pine tree and watched them all go by and set up water and lemonade in the yard for anyone who stopped.