Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Ok Goal Setting. RAGBRAI 08

We were talking about goal setting in a couple of other posts. I want to do RAGBRAI in 08. I know my wife will not want to do this and I am looking for a cycling partner or group that would be interested in riding 500 miles across Iowa.

I have been thinking about RAGBRAI 08 as well. I would like to have a full team with a sag wagon and maybe a camper as well.

Heck yes Jumbo! I just heard about the RAGBRAI this past month...never heard of it before. I've been telling myself that I'm signing up for 2008. Right now, I don't know anyone else who would be willing to give it a shot with me. Plus, it would be nice to be part of a team, not just an individual.

www.ragbrai.org (http://www.ragbrai.org)

We were talking about goal setting in a couple of other posts. I want to do RAGBRAI in 08. I know my wife will not want to do this and I am looking for a cycling partner or group that would be interested in riding 500 miles across Iowa.


I really want to do RAGBRAI 08 also. I'm not sure if I'll be ready do do the whole thing but I want to do a couple days for sure. I have no idea how my conditioning will be by then so it's tough to say whether or not I'll but up for the entire ride.

Dang, sounds like we got a team... LET's DO IT!

For sure! I also have an Uncle and Cousin in KC that I could talk into doing it with ease.

It's really early to start planning, but I say Jumbo is team captain. Make a list of riders that are intersted, and keep it for monthly emails. Keep us on track and stuff like that. I would be more than happy to get team jerseys ordered next spring.

Can I tag along too? :)

You need to pay attention to the sign up for RAGBRAI. You must have all of your paperwork perfect and your checks must be correct. I have heard of multiple teams in my small town of 6000 that did not get accepted, because one of the 20 people on a team didn't write the check to the proper place, or they did not fill out the proper paperwork and get it sent in by the January deadline.

We have multiple groups that ride this every year in our area, and this year is the easiest route, as it is the flat route. I have no idea what the 2008 route will be like or where it will run.

Since I am losing my job, and I don't know what my new job will be, I can't say that I will do it or not. I was supposed to go this year, but I have to be out of the state next week, so I will miss it again.

You need to pay attention to the sign up for RAGBRAI. You must have all of your paperwork perfect and your checks must be correct. I have heard of multiple teams in my small town of 6000 that did not get accepted, because one of the 20 people on a team didn't write the check to the proper place, or they did not fill out the proper paperwork and get it sent in by the January deadline.

To get around the problems with big groups, can't we sign up as groups of 3 or 4 and just all wear the same jerseys and still ride together?

You also have to be accepted and I am not sure if they did the lottery or not this year. The ride has gotten to be so big that people are riding it without being "official" and that is causing some problems.

There are also big rides in Nebraska, but I don't remember the names of those and they are usually not the full week ride. I think they are 3 day rides and are over a weekend, so you don't have to burn as much vacation time usually. And from what I have seen of those parts of Nebraska they are a LOT flatter than most of the RAGBRAI routes.

The ride in Nebraska is called BRAN (Bike Ride Accross Nebraska). http://www.bran-inc.org/
I just took a motorcycle trip through the sandhills (where they went this year) and it is great. Very little traffic, and the people up there are the nicest you'll find anywhere! I would be up for that one just the same, it is almost more appealing with a much smaller crowd.

I think the whole lottery system is crap. It would suck if you trained all year and didn't get in to RAGBRAI. I would say screw it and ride it anyway too. There are a ton of people that just go for a day or two instead of the whole thing. I know that is what a friend of mine want's to do so he doesn't burn his vacation time.

Well, I'm up for any week long ride with a large group of clydes. Just tell me where to sign, what to pay, and when to show up. :p

Crazylady and I are in!

Holy equine, we're going to have a big ole' group of clydes.

http://www.ragbrai.org/ragbrai-faq.html


I have no first hand knowledge, as I have never tried to get in. I didn't think I would have the money for a bike to ride in it, so I didn't sign up.

Dude, if Tom's coming...I can't miss out!!!!

Dude, if Tom's coming...I can't miss out!!!!

Tom will have news cameras and repoters following him the whole way...:D :D

I might have to make it if Tom says he is coming. I don't want to be on TV though.:D

http://www.bicycleillinois.com/bicycleillinois/bicycleillinois.htm

there is a nice 7 day Illinois one too with lodging and food included.

Count me in! Go Team clyde!

Aw hell, it's so close to me that I can't turn it down. I'm in!

Aw hell, it's so close to me that I can't turn it down. I'm in!

Good! Since you're in Lincoln, are you in a position for providing parking? Just a thought.....since we're going to be arriving by various modes, we need to think the logistics through!

I have a minivan, so I can put Crazylady's trike on the roof and 2 bikes on the back of the van, so I can work out a vanpool from Indiana to Lincoln or the Start point if they have parking available. This would be done on a gas split, by the way.;) I'll be doing a tent, for me and crazylady, and I have an extra one man tent if someone is less than 6 feet tall, that would be available!

Sheesh, were already talking about parking!?! So resonably, how many should there be on Bike Forum's Team Clyde?

Sheesh, were already talking about parking!?! So resonably, how many should there be on Bike Forum's Team Clyde?

I'd love to see the whole bunch of us there! That will be 53+ if we all show!

Well I've been putting this off long enough. Thanks to all of you, I no longer have an excuse not to ride it. Count me in! (the wife too if she still wants to).

Good! Since you're in Lincoln, are you in a position for providing parking? Just a thought.....since we're going to be arriving by various modes, we need to think the logistics through!

I have a minivan, so I can put Crazylady's trike on the roof and 2 bikes on the back of the van, so I can work out a vanpool from Indiana to Lincoln or the Start point if they have parking available. This would be done on a gas split, by the way.;) I'll be doing a tent, for me and crazylady, and I have an extra one man tent if someone is less than 6 feet tall, that would be available!

Haha, well if we're still in the same house we are at, we have limited parking but some available. I'm pretty sure from what I've heard that there is parking available in the start areas of RAGBRAI. Again, heresay, but that's what I.. umm.. heard!

And of course the Clyde Crew is always welcome for a beer and a brat at my house!!

Noto to be a wet blanket or anything, but before anyone starts talking about doing the full RAGBRAI they need to understand that 500 miles on a bike is a seriously long way. To do that ride requires decent fitness (actually pretty darned good fitness), some serious base miles, and meaningful experience at long distance riding. One or two days is a different matter of course, but still each day is at least a metric century. And anyone that thinks Iowa is flat needs to think again, it's surely not Colorado or the Smokey Mountains, but it is rolling. Just sayin...

Noto to be a wet blanket or anything, but before anyone starts talking about doing the full RAGBRAI they need to understand that 500 miles on a bike is a seriously long way. To do that ride requires decent fitness (actually pretty darned good fitness), some serious base miles, and meaningful experience at long distance riding. One or two days is a different matter of course, but still each day is at least a metric century. And anyone that thinks Iowa is flat needs to think again, it's surely not Colorado or the Smokey Mountains, but it is rolling. Just sayin...

Yep, I'm very familiar with the terrain in Iowa, I drove a truck for a lot of years, and I do bike tours and long distance riding as well. We have a year to prepare for it too! It's doable, but you are right, it's not to be undertaken like a 20 miler!:D

As soon as the route it posted, it would be wise to look at where it will actually be. Some of the county roads you will be going on are very, very steep and you may be walking your bike up some of the hills. And also remember it can be 100+ degrees as it was here yesterday. They don't want you to start too early in the day, but it can still be a good thing to be an early riser.

I agree, you're going to have to be very prepared for this. Like the RAGBRAI website says. Do your training before hand, RAGBRAI should not be your training. A friend of my mom goes every year and he rides 70 miles a day(everyday) the last month leading up the the event.

The one advantage that we do have is the fact that we have all day to ride so we can take some really long stops to rest. They give you 12 hours a day to ride. So that mean at the average 68 mile day, if you averaged 12 mph that would still leave you 6.5 hours to rest.

I think the hard part is sleeping in a tent and still having the energy to do it again and again day after day.

I'm going to have to get some serious riding in over the next year, but I'd love to do it.

Maybe those that can't do the entire tour, should plan a 1-3 day mini tour.

On the other hand, "Over the Hills" by David Lamb recounts the then 54 year old author's ride from Washington DC to Los Angeles. Lamb didn't train. He was also overweight, ate too much junk food, drank, and smoked. So perhaps training is overrated.

He wasn't on a 12,000 person organized ride with a schedule either. I haven't read the book but I doubt that he rode 500 miles in his first week. A person should not let training get in the way of doing what you want, but should recognize that one does not just magically decide one day, OK, I'm a long distance rider and then expect to be one without paying the price of actually getting there.

I agree, you're going to have to be very prepared for this. Like the RAGBRAI website says. Do your training before hand, RAGBRAI should not be your training. A friend of my mom goes every year and he rides 70 miles a day(everyday) the last month leading up the the event.

The one advantage that we do have is the fact that we have all day to ride so we can take some really long stops to rest. They give you 12 hours a day to ride. So that mean at the average 68 mile day, if you averaged 12 mph that would still leave you 6.5 hours to rest.

I think the hard part is sleeping in a tent and still having the energy to do it again and again day after day.

I'm going to have to get some serious riding in over the next year, but I'd love to do it.

Maybe those that can't do the entire tour, should plan a 1-3 day mini tour.

Actually, tenting it ain't bad! I found I sleep better on tour and I tour by tent instead of motel! I sleep better and have more energy, actually! :D

Neil, definitely don't underrate training for this ride, RAGBRAI is one of the more challenging noncompetitive rides in the US! Of course, that last month before I ride it, I'll be slowly tapering......

There are training recommendations on www.ragbrai.org (http://www.ragbrai.org) and I think it would be wise that any us of that plan to go, should at least try to attempt following them. ....I wouldn't say that we have to train starting today, but for sure by next spring...things need to get serious.

I'll come down and cheer.

I'll come down and cheer.

We may well have a job for you! I'm thinking SAG driver or crew for the group if you don't ride it!:D Sound like a possible idea?

We may well have a job for you! I'm thinking SAG driver or crew for the group if you don't ride it!:D Sound like a possible idea?


You'd have to teach me how to sag, but it sounds like something I might do naturally...:p

You'd have to teach me how to sag, but it sounds like something I might do naturally...:p

S A G is Support And Gear;)

I do have a question, though. How to say this tactfully... if you enter a race thinking you may need to drop out after a few days, doesn't that take the slot away from someone else who really wants to be in it? I'm referring to the shorter ride that was talked about down the thread.

I have to echo Terrierman's concerns, too.

OK, what's the question?

As to Terriermans concerns, yes, this ride will require training to finish it. The pace is noncompetitive though and in reasonable shape, you can finish it. Remember, we tend to underestimate our capabilities.;)

Thye have partial ride options, IIRC! I'll have to check back at the site.

http://www.ragbrai.org/dailypasses2007.html

Yep, they had daily ride passes available and have every one so far!

Here's the recommended training plan
http://www.ragbrai.org/ragbrai-training.html

This has to be from a Bike Forum Member!:D
http://www.ragbrai.org/jpg/duffy-training300.jpg

Lets see if I borrow my dads 24ft motor home and get my wife to drive it from stop to stop, we'd have a clyde ride support crew vehicle and I'd have A/C and a comfy bed every night. I tent camped for year and I'm not a big fan.

Psh, if I beat 560 pounds, I can kick RAGBRAI's butt. And I know one or two or 53 other people in this forum who could as well!

Go team clyde!

I can provide a truck and 7' x 10' trailer that I haul my dirt bikes on if we would need it. I am not sure about a driver for it, because I just bought my wife a new Jamis, and she is riding also. She may want to join in. She just dropped under the CLYDE/ATHENA weight last week, so she may not be accepted.

Well, if I am able to be the SAG, I have a 6x7 covered trailer I would bring. I have to find out more about what this entails, though, to figure out what to do with my dogs.

OK, I was thinking on my ride today and had a funny memory. Now don't take this the wrong way, because I know you guys are fastfastfast, but I think you'll enjoy the story.

I'm a recreational musher. I don't race, because my Bernese Mountain Dogs are big, slow-moving dogs. But I follow the Iditarod and the John Beargrease.

You may not know this, but sled dogs are now "mutts". They're not usually siberian huskies, but rather a sleek mix of husky, hound and what have you. These dogs are not* pets. They are the roadies of the the dog world. About 10 years ago, there was a dog sled team entered that consisted entirely of Newfoundlands. Newfies are the Clydes of the dog world... about 180, made to be totally graceful in the water but not moving real fast on land. Think Walrus with fur!

Anyway, these dogs captured the hearts of the fancy. I believe they finished the course and the competitors affectionately called them "The Moving Roadblock."

I rode last year, will ride part of this year, and all of 2008. I ride with a good sized team that is very accepting of new people and is always looking for someone else to join in the fun. If you need to know anything about RAGBRAI or just have any questions about it at all I'm more than willing to tell you everything I know. The only thing I'll mention to get started is that Iowa is NOT flat.

The RAGBRAI for me is simply a goal that forces me to get off my duff to train. I did not realize that it was that difficult to be a part of this ride. I am open to other venues, but I want a challenge that has a date that I must meet.

It looks like we need to elect a team leader and or secretary. The people wishing to participate in this ride would need to be serious and would need to put their money up fairly early to be part of the clyde team.

Again, I am willing to do another ride, and even a shorter ride, but I want it to stretch my limits.