Great Lakes - Ragbrai XXXII

Okay here we go again!!! July 25 - 31 2004!! We can sign up on Nov 15! That's one week from today!

We've put a small team of Air Force retired riders together this year. All of us (eight so far) will hopefully make the RAGBRAI lottery playoffs. We're planning to join up with the Out-Of-Staters this year for support.

Should be fun fun fun again!! Who's planning to ride?!

Count down... 259 days, 19 hours and 2 mins!!!!!!!

Great to see that you will be joining us this year, Gus!

I have a little change in my RAGBRAI Plans for the upcoming year. TANDEM!
We bought a tandem and she wants to go! My wife figured out, that we can rock on the tandem, and it's just 20 miles and then you get to take a break. As long as there are plenty of breaks, no problem.

She is a great rider and we have logged over 400 miles on then tandem. We can do a 50 mile ride without problems at the end of this season.

I just added a brooks saddle, and I am ready to go!

Great to see that you will be joining us this year, Gus!

I have a little change in my RAGBRAI Plans for the upcoming year. TANDEM!
We bought a tandem and she wants to go! My wife figured out, that we can rock on the tandem, and it's just 20 miles and then you get to take a break. As long as there are plenty of breaks, no problem.

She is a great rider and we have logged over 400 miles on then tandem. We can do a 50 mile ride without problems at the end of this season.

I just added a brooks saddle, and I am ready to go!

Iowa, my better-half and I have done RAGBRAI three times (two south and one central) on our tandem. It's a good run to be sure. She wants to ride this year but it's my singles turn this time.

We'll most likely be out there on the tandem in 2005..should be the northern course then and will be just perfect for the tandem. Incidentally, the northern route is the only one we haven't done it on the tandem, so I'm looking forward to it. Five days of relatively flat is great on a tandem to be sure!

What is the route this year?

What is the route this year?

The specific route isn't out yet, but it should be a central route, since last year was south and the year before was north.

You signin up for it this year CT?

Great to see that you will be joining us this year, Gus!

I have a little change in my RAGBRAI Plans for the upcoming year. TANDEM!
We bought a tandem and she wants to go! My wife figured out, that we can rock on the tandem, and it's just 20 miles and then you get to take a break. As long as there are plenty of breaks, no problem.

She is a great rider and we have logged over 400 miles on then tandem. We can do a 50 mile ride without problems at the end of this season.

I just added a brooks saddle, and I am ready to go!

Welcome to the world of doing RAGBRAI on a tandem, IP. Great to hear your wife is off to a good start and enjoying her time with you on the tandem. We found that there are always plenty of fun stops to make and take a break during RAGBRAI (many of which involve refueling).

I think I am going to be able to talk my family into doing it again in 2004. We will have some changes to the way we do it this year which would include forming our own team of family and friends as well as taking turns driving a SAG vehicle for such a team (unless we get a family member to volunteer to be the wagon master).

I would like to hope for the same weather and temperatures we had this year for next year, but I think expecting such tepid tempertatures might be wishful thinking for two years in a row.

BB

Anybody checked out the new RAGBRAI.org web site and the online registration proceedure? Sounds pretty new, but should be a great step for the RAGBRAI folks.

I can't imagine having to do data entry on 10,000 registration forms.

Anybody checked out the new RAGBRAI.org web site and the online registration proceedure? Sounds pretty new, but should be a great step for the RAGBRAI folks.

I can't imagine having to do data entry on 10,000 registration forms.

Yeah, checked it out Saturday morning. I downloaded the application form and the liability release form, filled them all out, signed them, wrote a check and sent it off in the mail already. :D

The route will be announced on 31 Jan 2004! :D

Anybody care to guess the route? Ragbrai.com has a guess the route contest. Here are my predications:
1. Rock Valley
2. Estherville
3. Clarion
4. Cedar Falls
5. North Liberty
6. Monticello
7. Bellevue

Anybody care to guess the route? Ragbrai.com has a guess the route contest. Here are my predications:
1. Rock Valley
2. Estherville
3. Clarion
4. Cedar Falls
5. North Liberty
6. Monticello
7. Bellevue

IP, do you think it's going to be a northern course this year? Or are you just hoping really hard? I think it will be a central route this year, because it was a southern last year and a northern route the year before that.

My guess for a start town might be Little Sioux or River Sioux with a finish town at Clinton, maybe. I have no clue for those towns in between.

Calling Nebill, Outashape,TreeTrunk, Cycle Tourist, Hotrod, Steel Bike and anyone else, are you'all signed up for the ride this year?

Not yet but I will be very soon.

Well, first I was going, then I was wasn't. Then I thought about doing a ride in New York finger lake area - BonTon Roulet. But, there is a God in heaven, my husband has decided to go on 2 rides with me this year. Since he is a drummer and music is his thing, we will be doing RAGBRAI and Cycle North Carolina this year because both rides are laid back and have music at night. RAGBRAI even has music during the day. I haven't registered yet, since they have accepted everyone for at least the last 5 years. I was invited (you have to be sponsored) to join the Whiners group, but with my husband going, we will be going with OOS. I usually leave right after dawn, but things will be very different with hubby. I can't get him moving too soon, so this year the ride will be a "stop and smell the roses" type of ride. See you all there.

...we will be going with OOS...

Outstanding!!!!! Our little group of AFOFWDB (Air Force Old Farts Who Drink Beer) is also riding with OOS. Currently we have 7 riders with our little group! See you there Outashape!

P.S. We don't drink that much
:D

Gus just reminded me that I haven't been to this forum to say "Hey!". I didn't realize it was back in operation until yesterday. I am going to RAGBRAI this year after missing last year. I am riding with Huck's "Silver Streaks", as usual. Gus, look me up for the bus ride with the Out-of-Staters as that is usually who I hook up with for the ride to the start.

I have my RAGRAI anniversary poster hanging in my garage and I face it as I ride my stationary trainer. See y'all in July!

Steve "Tree Trunk" Henrikson

Welcome back to the forums TT! Yeah, I'll be looking for ya at the bus stop. Glad to hear your on the trainer too, I hate it but the weather has forced me to it. I watch the Boob tube while riding, the football games make pretty good riding mates. :D

Welcome back to the forums TT! Yeah, I'll be looking for ya at the bus stop. Glad to hear your on the trainer too, I hate it but the weather has forced me to it. I watch the Boob tube while riding, the football games make pretty good riding mates. :D

Since you like trainers and football...

Sprint like mad from the snap to the whistle. Recover between plays and during commercials. See if you can last till half-time :-)

Since you like trainers and football...

Sprint like mad from the snap to the whistle. Recover between plays and during commercials. See if you can last till half-time :-)

Oh yeah baby, that already happens. I'm a Rams fan and I'll tell you they had me boiling! The pedals were windmills and the language was (ah hum) innovative! :D

Greetings all!! YES!! I will be there! The first day for submitting vacation requests was 010204, and when the secretary who handles such things arrived at work, I was waiting at her desk with papers in hand!!
I'll once again be riding with Team Cycle Sport, or Psycho Sport, or whatever we'll be calling ourselves this year!!
Looking forward to a great year of cycling!! Hope to see some of you there!!

You guys are getting me pumped for RAGBRAI!!! Yeah, I'm riding the trainer but I would rather brave the cold weather than ride the trainer. I rode 2 hours in the snow last Saturday -- that was a great resistance workout. When the NCAA basketball tournament starts, I am on the trainer every day. I prefer that to football -- I'm a Bears and Cowboys fan.

I am buying rollers soon. From what I hear I will not be watching TV while riding the rollers!

Get ready for RAGBRAI (or TOMRV or Mt. Mitchell).

I registered myself & my wife. Very nice system that they have put together.

Gus, I am not hoping for a north route, but I have a hunch that it will be north this year. My only reason is this: Greenie is going to retire and ride next year, therefore it will pass as close to his home turf of Des Moines as possible - so a central route, but not until next year. Last year we went south, so that leaves north for ragride 32!

I also anticipate that Greenie will go out in style - giving us a route to remember!

I've been known to be wrong, too. :D

The overnight towns are posted!

Onawa
Lake View
Fort Dodge
Iowa Falls
Marshalltown
Hiawatha
Maquoketa
Clinton

Cool!

This year's route reminds me of the tough route (a little) from a couple of years ago. There's more motivation for me to train hard.

I announced to the guys on my softball team that I am not playing this year in order to concentrate on cycling. Now I have no excuse for not getting a good ride in on Saturdays -- except this year both kids are playing in either softball or baseball leagues on Saturday!

This route was not as north as I anticipated, but it is perfect for me. Lake View is just 10 miles from my in-laws house. WooHoo! A hot shower!

This route was not as north as I anticipated, but it is perfect for me. Lake View is just 10 miles from my in-laws house. WooHoo! A hot shower!

Hey IowaP, is there much chance that 6 of us retired USAF guys can come over as well?? :D

This route was not as north as I anticipated, but it is perfect for me. Lake View is just 10 miles from my in-laws house. WooHoo! A hot shower!

I forgot to mention, we have one of our guys who has family 18 miles southeast of Iowa Falls...Looks like a shower, TV and some AC action, and we'll get an 18 mile headstart toward Marshalltown. Then in Marshall we have more family!! Could be good!

Wimps!!!! Girlie men!! Hot showers and AC? Bah!!!

Wimps!!!! Girlie men!! Hot showers and AC? Bah!!!

I hope the TV has a remote!! :p

Speaking of TVs, every RAGBRAI I look for a TV so I can catch up on baseball scores and the Tour.

My next RAGBRAI step is to learn how to party properly. I still haven't gotten that part of RAGBRAI right -- I'm too civilized (and I am afraid my wife will hear about it and kill me -- now who's a wimp?!!?)

I am bringning my wife along this year, so I can't get in too much trouble. Boy, that would make a long ride on the tandem if I get in trouble on, oh say... Monday.

Our group added a new rule last year - The first rider to camp has to buy beer for everyone else behind them.

...Our group added a new rule last year - The first rider to camp has to buy beer for everyone else behind them.


As my beer explodes out of my mouth!! COUGH!!! Choke, Choke!!! Sputter, tears in my eyes! I gain control, and mutter "What kind of a *&^%$ rule is that??!!" You all got it backwards don't you??!!

Our only rule is, "we are all to meet at the first bar on the left in each over night town...unless a bar shows up on the right first."



My next RAGBRAI step is to learn how to party properly. I still haven't gotten that part of RAGBRAI right -- I'm too civilized (and I am afraid my wife will hear about it and kill me -- now who's a wimp?!!?)

Yeah! Whos the wimp now?! We won't tell TT, what ever you do at RAGBRAI stays at RAGBRAI or so they say. :D

Gus, I rode with Bicyclists of Iowa City. Dedicated riders. We had people in the club that would leave so early, they were in camp before the luggage trucks arrived.

So, our rebels decided that the first one to camp buys rule was the best way to slow people down to enjoy the ride (party).

Gus, I rode with Bicyclists of Iowa City. Dedicated riders. We had people in the club that would leave so early, they were in camp before the luggage trucks arrived.

So, our rebels decided that the first one to camp buys rule was the best way to slow people down to enjoy the ride (party).


:D we always have riders like that. We have one fellow who leaves early, hammers hard, arrives before the SAG then turns around and goes back to meet the rest of the team members. Talk about a belittling experience!! It was not uncommon for him to post a century everyday except the last day of RAGBRAI.

Actually, that is kinda neat! One of the totally awesome things about RAGBRAI is that you can make it your own ride! Ride fast, ride slow, do it twice, doesn't make any difference!! Get out there, and have a little fun!!

Hi nebill. I haven't seen you post anything lately. Glad you're still visiting BF. :beer:

Yeah! Whos the wimp now?! We won't tell TT, what ever you do at RAGBRAI stays at RAGBRAI or so they say.

Or so they say, Gus! I'm not really scared about my wife finding out, but I love to blame her!

Here's some interesting possibilities concerning the route

(http://www.geobike.com/geobike/gbmain.shtml)

is the RAGBRAI XXIII (1995) route. The first three days have the same overnight towns as this year. And the last three days of XXII (1994) route
also have the same overnight towns. It will be interesting to see how closely the route follows those two years. The fourth day is a bit of a mystery, I couldn't find any corresponding routes that match. :D

Does anyone (besides Greenie) have any idea when the rest of the route will be posted?

The RAGRide site for Clinton says route posted on Feb 23. www.bikeiowa.com also listed Mapleton as announcing itself as a pass-through town.

I think your theory is correct. Last year was a similar melding of routes.

The RAGRide site for Clinton says route posted on Feb 23. www.bikeiowa.com also listed Mapleton as announcing itself as a pass-through town.

I think your theory is correct. Last year was a similar melding of routes.

Great info! Thanks IP!

If I remember correctly, RAGBRAI 1995 was the year of "Saggy Thursday". That was my first RAGBRAI and I rode it on my Univega Hybrid. If we ride the same route as "Saggy Thursday", I am willing to bet we'll hear about that. What I remember about that day was, besides watching all the full sags passing me by, pedaling DOWNhill just to keep moving. That was incredible! Then we came into an overnight town that had "The Wizard of Oz" as its theme. Scary.

If I remember correctly, RAGBRAI 1995 was the year of "Saggy Thursday". That was my first RAGBRAI and I rode it on my Univega Hybrid. If we ride the same route as "Saggy Thursday", I am willing to bet we'll hear about that. What I remember about that day was, besides watching all the full sags passing me by, pedaling DOWNhill just to keep moving. That was incredible! Then we came into an overnight town that had "The Wizard of Oz" as its theme. Scary.

TT quit thinking such dark thoughts!! You'll keep me up nights with nightmares!!!

I don't think we'll be repeating that particular route this year. Its overnight towns were Tama to Sigourney, which are way south of Hiawatha. I'm sure there is nothing to preclude the same type of rude ride you describe...OUCH! We will be most unfortunate if the same thing happens on Thursday this year, because it looks to be a long day (upwards of 90 miles or more).

Fellow RAGBRAIers, the in-between towns and detailed route are posted!!! Have fun!

Gus

Looks like day one will have some good challenges for us. At least we have 20 miles to warm up before we hit the bumps! :D

Geez, I'm not even going to train for this RAGBRAI -- it looks too easy. I'll still be passing Gus and calling him a wimp.....

It looks like I am going to miss out taking the OOS bus across Iowa on Saturday. A friend has volunteered to drive us to Onawa and pick us up. I'm liking it although taking the bus is part of the excitement -- but it's also a pain since we don't ride with OOS during the week. We have always had to lug our stuff all over the place until we find our team.

...I'll still be passing Gus and calling him a wimp.....



:eek: I'm partaking :beer: so even my Ma will be able to pass me this year! :roflmao:

Oh, the humiliation! I didn't know Gus's Mom was going this year!!! Oh well, everyone else will be passing me anyway, so why not dear old Mom, huh?
:)

nebill,

I won't be passing you this year. In fact, if you remember I didn't even make it to the get together that we had arranged last year because I failed to realize how slow an adult/child tandem combination travels with all the butt breaks, cornfield stops and general slow tempo. This year, I think my pace will be even more curtailed as I will be on the same tandem with the same stoker, but we will be pulling an interesting contraption behind us with another child.

Here's the contraption:

http://phred.org/~josh/forsale/113-1343_IMG.JPG

Some friends of ours from Austria will be riding with us this year and we are having to arrange the wheels and combinations for the group. So I will be much slower this year due to hauling two kids across Iowa with me generating most of the drivetrain power. I fully expect to have you pass me everyday this year. ;-)

BB

That is one interesting looking Trail-A-Bike. I have never seen a recumbent version. Your entourage should be a fun one to see!