libbey91

So who here has heard of it, participates in it and such? I actually am from iowa and its been a to do item fof mine for as long as i can remember. Well finally i have a chance to do it this year, getting a new bike in late feb. so ill be training right away along with working out in the gym.. What should i expect for this event? the good and the bad?

wkg

lots of sketchy riders
lots of miller lite
maybe get some group rides in before you go
then head out every day early in the morning so that you can avoid the cluster****

DGlenday

I rode RAGBRAI last July. It is whatever you make of it. There are 19,000 cyclists on the road on some days. Leave early to beat the heat and the crowds. Or leave later to enjoy the experience of endless miles of cyclists from one side of the road to the other.

- Some people treat it as a huge party, get wasted, and ride like idiots. Fortunately, they are in the minority - and they tend to ride later in the day so it's easy to avoid them.

- The vast majority are serious riders who just want to enjoy the experience of about 70 miles a day for a week, hanging with other cyclists, and having a blast. Some of the best experiences are in the towns you pass through. They really roll out the welcome wagon, and every town offers different entertainment etc.

- There are a few idiots <ahem> who treat it as a race. They leave early to avoid the crowded roads, get into pacelines, race past the other riders at 22 to 25 mph, and average each stage at 18 to 22 mph. But these people know what they're doing and are not a danger. (I wish I'd taken it more slowly and enjoyed the ride a bit more.)

The RAGBRAI organizers recommend that you have at least 1,000 miles under your belt between January and the start of RAGBRAI. I would say 1.000 miles is a minimum, and that training ought to include some long rides and at least one century. Do that, and you'll be able to really enjoy the event.

I'm not doing it this year because I have other objectives - but I definitely plan to do it again at some point.

Do it. You'll always regret it if you don't. And as you're in Iowa, your cost will be minimal.

halfspeed

Try and hook up with a team if you can, it'll make it a lot easier to get through the week than if you use RAGBRAI's bag transport. If you like drinking, start later. If not, start earlier. Some days, you might even find a free beer tent in a farmer's front yard. Weather can run from the 40s in the morning to the 90s in the afternoon, so pack accordingly. There's usually at least one day with heavy rain, excessive heat or high headwinds to keep it interesting.

Hendricks97

My son and I were going to try it this year, but heard its not the best environment for kids and that there is a much more family oriented week long ride here in Ohio. We were planning on trying Ragbrai in a few years when he gets a little older

rdtompki

Do a search on RAGBRAI - tons and tons of posts. I travel to Iowa frequently and there is a bit of a frenzy there among the riding community as RAGBRAI nears. I'm going to do 1 or 2 of the days one of these years before I really get too old, but seems to me day after day one has an awful lot of time on one's hands after riding unless you spend a lot of time at the rest/beer stops.

DGlenday

True.

PM me if you want the details of the group I rode with. It's an Iowa-based cycle club - you pay a bit to join the club and you pay a bit more to join their RAGBRAI team, but their organization is excellent, and they're a great group of people to hang with. At the end of each ride there's a tent with water, gatorade, or (if you prefer), sodas and beers. Since you're in-state, you might like the club well enough to just remain a member long-term.

The stopover towns always provide tons of entertainment. there's always something to do.

alexfboyle

I know a guy who has done it several times, and he tells me that someone dies or gets seriously injured every year. So be aware of that possibility.

halfspeed

Considering the size of the event, this should be no surprise. You put that many people together over that period of time, something will happen. If you're sensible and in good health, this is not a serious concern.

halfspeed

As long as you're early to bed and early to rise, RAGBRAI can be great for kids.

peteydink

I have done a number of RAGBRAI rides starting with IX and taking my 13 year old son on it. The last was 2010. Given the odds of anyone dying anyplace where there are 20,000 people I would say RAGBRAI is as safe as any ride.
If interested this is the view of a first time rider https://hmoore71.com//journals/journal/1022

halfspeed

Nah, you don't need that much. I think the standard recommendation used to be 500 miles. 1000 is plenty and you don't need a century. A few 60-80 mile rides as part of your total mileage is fine. The century day is the first century for a lot of riders.

libbey91

Well im going with a bunch a friends and were gonna have a lead car so moving my stuff wont be to hard... i can pack a little easier.. i started training finally yesterday.. Im pretty pumped for this event.. im just hoping my previous motocross racing experience can help me while im riding so that way if i am with a large group i wont be in too much trouble...

ryder0182

1 in 19,000 seems a lot better than most group or charity rides!

I grew up in one of the overnight towns and always loved the experience. Hoping to actually ride it one of these years.

charliekeri

Did it in '93. Great week.

50 - 10 mile beer runs. Picture 10,000 riders pulling into a town of 1500 for the night. And the town looks forward to it. Music, alcohol, food and lots of it - Pork Chop man, pancake breakfasts, spaghetti dinners in church basements, mostly all good partying people. Serious riders? then - about 10%, but they miss all the fun.

Train? It's a ride not a race. If you're serious, there is no reason to be there.

Banzai

Yes. Do it at least once.

It's a ton of fun.