crazyb
07-19-10, 09:41 AM
Anybody going?
Fifty Plus (50+) - Ragbrai
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joe_5700
07-19-10, 01:36 PM
Yep, I will be there. I am planning on riding up from Omaha the day before.
desconhecido
07-19-10, 01:57 PM
Will be doing the whole thing.
Rick@OCRR
07-19-10, 03:36 PM
Not this year. I've ridden RAGBRAI 16 times, the first time in '82. Lots changed since then!
I used to live in St.Louis so it was an easy drive. Now that I live in CA the logistics are a bit more complicated.
One year my son wants to do a 3 generation RAGBRAI (I get to be the grandfather), but that's still a few years off.
But anyway, yes, love RAGBRAI and I still think its the most pure fun you can have on a bicycle in a week's time.
Rick / OCRR
I used to live in St.Louis so it was an easy drive. Now that I live in CA the logistics are a bit more complicated.
One year my son wants to do a 3 generation RAGBRAI (I get to be the grandfather), but that's still a few years off.
But anyway, yes, love RAGBRAI and I still think its the most pure fun you can have on a bicycle in a week's time.
Rick / OCRR
BikeWNC
07-19-10, 04:26 PM
I've been invited to RAGBRAI the past few years but I'm just so wary of the weather. I hate the heat/humidity and probably couldn't sleep very well with warm evening temps. I know I'm a wimp but if they move the event to late Sept. I'd be there for sure!
crazyb
07-19-10, 04:26 PM
Yep, I will be there. I am planning on riding up from Omaha the day before.
I live in Burlington, so will make the long bus ride across.
I live in Burlington, so will make the long bus ride across.
crazyb
07-19-10, 04:28 PM
I've been invited to RAGBRAI the past few years but I'm just so wary of the weather. I hate the heat/humidity and probably couldn't sleep very well with warm evening temps. I know I'm a wimp but if they move the event to late Sept. I'd be there for sure!
The pie is worth all of it!
The pie is worth all of it!
crazyb
07-19-10, 04:29 PM
Will be doing the whole thing.
First time? Where are you from?
First time? Where are you from?
Retro Grouch
07-19-10, 05:24 PM
One of my bicycling claims to fame is riding Wednesday of Ragbrai I. It wasn't a rolling fund raiser back then, the chocolate chip cookies were FREE.
Since then I've worked a support crew for a week and I've ridden a couple of days, but I've never ridden the whole thing.
Since then I've worked a support crew for a week and I've ridden a couple of days, but I've never ridden the whole thing.
BluesDawg
07-19-10, 05:40 PM
I hope to do it someday, but it won't be this year. Definitely on my to do list after I retire in a few years.
crazyb
07-19-10, 05:49 PM
[QUOTE=Retro Grouch;11140833]One of my bicycling claims to fame is riding Wednesday of Ragbrai I. It wasn't a rolling fund raiser back then, the chocolate chip cookies were FREE.
Last year I got free fruit, free cookies, and free butt butter.
Last year I got free fruit, free cookies, and free butt butter.
desconhecido
07-19-10, 05:56 PM
First time? Where are you from?
Yes, first time. I live in Houston. My sister lives in Des Moines these days and it's entirely her fault. I'm driving to Des Moines at the end of the week and we take bus from Des Moines to Sioux City on Saturday. I think we ride with the Des Moines Bicycle Club group.
Yes, first time. I live in Houston. My sister lives in Des Moines these days and it's entirely her fault. I'm driving to Des Moines at the end of the week and we take bus from Des Moines to Sioux City on Saturday. I think we ride with the Des Moines Bicycle Club group.
crazyb
07-19-10, 06:02 PM
Yes, first time. I live in Houston. My sister lives in Des Moines these days and it's entirely her fault. I'm driving to Des Moines at the end of the week and we take bus from Des Moines to Sioux City on Saturday. I think we ride with the Des Moines Bicycle Club group.
Welcome to Iowa. Enjoy the ride, and the good eats.
Welcome to Iowa. Enjoy the ride, and the good eats.
RochMNTandem
07-19-10, 07:57 PM
Yes, first time as well. Live in Minnesota, riding with an experienced group of 15 cyclists. My wife and I are on a road tandem. Anxious to get started.
gtragitt
07-19-10, 08:00 PM
A coworker is doing it. I think he will do better than he expects.
ryanwood
07-20-10, 05:28 AM
This is my first year, I am riding with my brother in law. Not the whole thing though, we will pick it up on Tuesday. I am very very excited, and a little nervous
BlazingPedals
07-20-10, 07:00 AM
... It wasn't a rolling fund raiser back then...
I did RAGBRAI in 2008, and that was exactly my impression. Every town we went through was trying to avert property taxes for the next decade by charging double or triple normal retail prices. Plus, there were SO MANY people that they got in the way of riding my bike.
I can say now that I've done it once, but I don't plan on ever going back.
I did RAGBRAI in 2008, and that was exactly my impression. Every town we went through was trying to avert property taxes for the next decade by charging double or triple normal retail prices. Plus, there were SO MANY people that they got in the way of riding my bike.
I can say now that I've done it once, but I don't plan on ever going back.
groth
07-20-10, 04:01 PM
Anybody going?
Ride 10 miles, drink a six pack,
Ride 10 miles, drink a six pack,
Ride 10 miles, drink a six pack,
Ride 10 miles, drink a six pack,
Ride 10 miles, drink a six pack,
Ride 10 miles, drink a six pack,
....
- Ed
Ride 10 miles, drink a six pack,
Ride 10 miles, drink a six pack,
Ride 10 miles, drink a six pack,
Ride 10 miles, drink a six pack,
Ride 10 miles, drink a six pack,
Ride 10 miles, drink a six pack,
....
- Ed
jppe
07-20-10, 04:12 PM
Okay-what are the pros and cons of doing this ride? I'm looking for more week long tours to do but I'm not understanding what deal is with this one based on some of the posts.
crazyb
07-20-10, 07:21 PM
Okay-what are the pros and cons of doing this ride? I'm looking for more week long tours to do but I'm not understanding what deal is with this one based on some of the posts.
It is a 7 day ride across Iowa that usually is around 450 miles. To be registerd, you can go with a group or club that has reserved spots or get in the general lottery for a spot. 10,000 registered riders, and as many as 20,000 to 25,000 overall riders per day, depending on the start or finish town. Varied riding, (22,000 feet of climb last year, 13,000 this year). Prices vary quite a bit for food or refreshments. One can eat quite reasonably if you look around a little bit. Most people camp, and showers are available at all overnight towns. You can emphasize riding, drinking, eating, partying, or any combination of these. An overall good time, if you don't worry about spending a few bucks. It's a blast.
Edit; With camping and entry fees, spending and meal money, 500 to 600 bucks will cover the week for me.
It is a 7 day ride across Iowa that usually is around 450 miles. To be registerd, you can go with a group or club that has reserved spots or get in the general lottery for a spot. 10,000 registered riders, and as many as 20,000 to 25,000 overall riders per day, depending on the start or finish town. Varied riding, (22,000 feet of climb last year, 13,000 this year). Prices vary quite a bit for food or refreshments. One can eat quite reasonably if you look around a little bit. Most people camp, and showers are available at all overnight towns. You can emphasize riding, drinking, eating, partying, or any combination of these. An overall good time, if you don't worry about spending a few bucks. It's a blast.
Edit; With camping and entry fees, spending and meal money, 500 to 600 bucks will cover the week for me.
one_beatnik
07-21-10, 12:19 PM
RAGBRAI is nearly impossible to explain to anybody!!! The best description I've ever read is this: RAGBRAI is a county fair married to the Mardi Gras, whose parents were a rock concert and a potluck supper, all off on a biking holiday. (credit to someone on the RAGBRAI forum!)
Pars
07-21-10, 12:37 PM
One of my bicycling claims to fame is riding Wednesday of Ragbrai I. It wasn't a rolling fund raiser back then, the chocolate chip cookies were FREE.
Since then I've worked a support crew for a week and I've ridden a couple of days, but I've never ridden the whole thing.
I rode Ragbrai I (the whole thing), but have never ridden it since. Maybe one of these years I might do it again. The first year it was easy to get motel rooms every night, etc. I thought it was insane riding out of Fort Dodge one morning with the pack... all 300 of them or so. I guess it has changed a lot since then :)
Since then I've worked a support crew for a week and I've ridden a couple of days, but I've never ridden the whole thing.
I rode Ragbrai I (the whole thing), but have never ridden it since. Maybe one of these years I might do it again. The first year it was easy to get motel rooms every night, etc. I thought it was insane riding out of Fort Dodge one morning with the pack... all 300 of them or so. I guess it has changed a lot since then :)
Road Fan
07-29-10, 06:48 AM
RAGBRAI is nearly impossible to explain to anybody!!! The best description I've ever read is this: RAGBRAI is a county fair married to the Mardi Gras, whose parents were a rock concert and a potluck supper, all off on a biking holiday. (credit to someone on the RAGBRAI forum!)
That's not far from how my cousin explained it to me (6-time veteran), but it's also a sequence of 85 or so mile days ...
That's not far from how my cousin explained it to me (6-time veteran), but it's also a sequence of 85 or so mile days ...
billydonn
07-31-10, 10:25 PM
Today's Omaha World-Herald reports that a RAGBRAI rider crashed and died due to rubbing wheels with another. He was wearing a helmet it seems.
http://omaha.com/article/20100730/NEWS01/707319877
http://omaha.com/article/20100730/NEWS01/707319877
Retro Grouch
08-01-10, 07:18 AM
Today's Omaha World-Herald reports that a RAGBRAI rider crashed and died due to rubbing wheels with another. He was wearing a helmet it seems.
http://omaha.com/article/20100730/NEWS01/707319877
What a shame. That's not an uncommon type of accident at RAGBRAI but it's uncommon for the injuries to result in death. The literature that they give to every registered rider goes on at length about the hazards of riding in pacelines.
http://omaha.com/article/20100730/NEWS01/707319877
What a shame. That's not an uncommon type of accident at RAGBRAI but it's uncommon for the injuries to result in death. The literature that they give to every registered rider goes on at length about the hazards of riding in pacelines.
RochMNTandem
08-01-10, 04:35 PM
I was just 2 minutes behind that pile up... it was a mess - did see him on the ground unconscious --- is a shame..
CHAS
08-02-10, 06:45 PM
I recommend
RAGBRAI:Everyone Pronounces It Wrong by John and Ann Karras.
The book chronicles the ride from the its beginning.
Amazon has it
http://www.amazon.com/RAGBRAI-Everyone-Pronounces-Wrong-Book/dp/1587295385/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1280796257&sr=1-1-fkmr1
John and Ann live nearby. John recently turned 80. He said he might try it again this year. Not sure whether he tried or not.
RAGBRAI:Everyone Pronounces It Wrong by John and Ann Karras.
The book chronicles the ride from the its beginning.
Amazon has it
http://www.amazon.com/RAGBRAI-Everyone-Pronounces-Wrong-Book/dp/1587295385/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1280796257&sr=1-1-fkmr1
John and Ann live nearby. John recently turned 80. He said he might try it again this year. Not sure whether he tried or not.