RAGBRAI - Comments and Thoughts
03-27-15, 11:43 AM
#26
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I spent two weeks riding in MN in July while crossing the country. The farthest north we got was Bemidji. The mosquitoes were horrible in many places and we weren't even that far north. Even the HI Hostal at Lake Itasca had them inside. The worst is when I had to leave the tent in the middle of the night to pee. No matter how fast I tried to unzip the door and zip it closed again, one or more would get in. I'd lay back down to sleep and they would start buzzing in my ears. A couple of days I unpacked tent and noticed blood splotches on the inside. They were from mosquitoes that had gotten crushed when I rolled up the tent that morning. I remember eating cereal one morning and they were literally trying to fly in my mouth.
A few years ago I told these stories to a woman who was going to do a supported ride in MN with her husband. It may have even been BAM. They ended up bagging at her demand due to the bug issue.
A few years ago I told these stories to a woman who was going to do a supported ride in MN with her husband. It may have even been BAM. They ended up bagging at her demand due to the bug issue.
At least it won't be hot like in IA in July. And, everything else being equal, I really prefer a smaller ride than Ragbrai.
03-27-15, 12:00 PM
#27
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If you're self supporting, you can do what many do. Ride to the last ten before the overnight. Camp in their city park near the fire department sponsored beer tent. I work next to the bike path in Waukee. Every year we watch the baggers heading out on the bike path the Thursday before RAGBRAI starts. Probably 100+ just starting from Des Moines.
03-27-15, 12:06 PM
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03-27-15, 03:30 PM
#30
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If you like biking and crowds then do it. If you like solitude then stay away. Since you're giving it serious thought you should go otherwise you'll just regret not trying it.
After you've done RAGBRAI ride at least part of the route during a normal time to experience the drastic differences. Both have their flairs.
After you've done RAGBRAI ride at least part of the route during a normal time to experience the drastic differences. Both have their flairs.
03-27-15, 03:34 PM
#31
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03-27-15, 04:40 PM
#32
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Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. How is cell coverage in and between the small towns. I use Map My Ride and was wondering if it would work.
03-27-15, 05:10 PM
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Did it in '13 and am going again this year. Lots of people, every demographic possible, fun pass thru towns, OK food. Lots of (expensive) beer. I'm going the cheapest way possible - letting RAGBRAI truck carry my stuff, setting up camp each evening with all my own camping gear, etc. Bring more money than you think you'll need. Meals, beer, showers, etc., cost $5 to $7 dollars each. It all adds up. $40 per day for me. All the negatives and positives mentioned above apply. Read as much as you can on the RAGBRAI.com site and do lots of research. You must register by April 1 to be able to ride. There is a lottery and only 10,000 riders are accepted. If you decide to go, I'll see you there and we can whine and complain together! By the way, I'm 64 and no athlete - but it is doable for most anyone who can walk. Just takes some of us longer!
03-27-15, 08:32 PM
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Coverage is pretty good , it can be an issue at the overnight towns because the infrastructure is not designed for 15,000 simultaneous connections so drops and unable to call errors do happen. Most of the big carriers have portable cell towers they can bring in for big events , Ive seen them a few times but not in every town every night. Same goes for public WiFi, little cafes that have a lynksys router set up that usually have a few folks connected sometimes grind to a halt when the RAGBRAI horde approaches.
Last edited by Bicycle365; 03-27-15 at 08:52 PM.
03-27-15, 11:21 PM
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When I was at Boy Scout camp back in the '60s the outhouses were called KYBOs. We understood the name to be an acronym for Keep Your Bowels Open.
03-28-15, 08:03 AM
#37
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Although the full week registration is due by April 1, you can get day passes at any time. I did three days last year and bought them a few weeks before. I used a charter, Pork Belly Ventures. It simplified things. They had all the "thingys". Like cell phone charging stations, shower trucks, "free" beer and coffee, massage therapists, bands, meals etc. Although big crowds are not my thing, for some reason it didn't bother me. I was there for the experience, which was far different than smaller state rides (Nebraska BRAN) and my annual 2-3 week tours. If you do it, my word to the wise would be to slow yourself down. Experience the pass thru towns. Stop at the food vendors, especially Mr. Pork Chop, Beekmans ice cream, and the homemade pies, like Mrs. Berrys. Maybe even a water slide or two.
03-31-15, 10:13 PM
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I just heard that this year there will be a new optional gravel loop. But then if someone really wants gravel they'd sign up for the Trans Iowa.
03-31-15, 10:32 PM
#40
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Charging your phone is easy, just bring a charger with you and find an unattended outlet.
04-22-15, 01:35 PM
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Sorry for zombi-fying this thread but my wife and I are doing our first RAGBRAI this year and I have to say this thread is more informative that the entire forum at RAGBRAI.com. I'll be the dope on a maroon Steamroller dying on day one alongside my wife on an orange Felt. Say hi if you see us.
04-22-15, 01:36 PM
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Sorry for zombi-fying this thread but my wife and I are doing our first RAGBRAI this year and I have to say this thread is more informative that the entire forum at RAGBRAI.com. I'll be the dope on a maroon Steamroller dying on day one alongside my wife on an orange Felt. Say hi if you see us.
04-26-15, 07:42 PM
#43
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I had someone mention in an email that "RAGBRAI was too regimented for them". I remembered this thread and especially all the negative responses from those who have never done the ride.
Well all the negatives are probably true from someone's perspective. You can make anything of any ride what you want. And RAGBRAI is no different.
But with RAGBRAI you can, if make an effort, meet and ride with people of all kinds of vocations and ages from around the world. I find riding alone I get much more interaction with other riders.
My first RAGBRAI IX 1981. and my last was 29 years later.
I met Gary on that last ride.
Well all the negatives are probably true from someone's perspective. You can make anything of any ride what you want. And RAGBRAI is no different.
But with RAGBRAI you can, if make an effort, meet and ride with people of all kinds of vocations and ages from around the world. I find riding alone I get much more interaction with other riders.
My first RAGBRAI IX 1981. and my last was 29 years later.
I met Gary on that last ride.
04-26-15, 10:23 PM
#44
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SlowandSlower. I wonder who that might be. Ah! Scotsdale, Bruce Gordon, Indian Bend Solutions.....think I know.
Great article Gary wrote^^. Good insights on RAGBRAI. Not on the bucket list.
Great article Gary wrote^^. Good insights on RAGBRAI. Not on the bucket list.
04-26-15, 11:20 PM
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05-03-15, 06:22 PM
#46
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Ok I got by registration number, now it's time to get serious. Lol. Any suggestions on things to pack (other than the basics) that you seasoned Bertrand's don't leave home without?
05-03-15, 06:34 PM
#47
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I had someone mention in an email that "RAGBRAI was too regimented for them". I remembered this thread and especially all the negative responses from those who have never done the ride.
Well all the negatives are probably true from someone's perspective. You can make anything of any ride what you want. And RAGBRAI is no different.
But with RAGBRAI you can, if make an effort, meet and ride with people of all kinds of vocations and ages from around the world. I find riding alone I get much more interaction with other riders.
My first RAGBRAI IX 1981. and my last was 29 years later.
I met Gary on that last ride.
Well all the negatives are probably true from someone's perspective. You can make anything of any ride what you want. And RAGBRAI is no different.
But with RAGBRAI you can, if make an effort, meet and ride with people of all kinds of vocations and ages from around the world. I find riding alone I get much more interaction with other riders.
My first RAGBRAI IX 1981. and my last was 29 years later.
I met Gary on that last ride.
05-03-15, 08:20 PM
#48
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Your bucket list needs updating. You are missing all that "other gender scenery" and "socializing with the ancients."
05-12-15, 01:31 PM
#50
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Depends on if you want to wash and rewear or not.
Bring a few and wash/dry them on the 3rd day and 6th day at a laundromat or with soap and water in a sink.
Bring 2 and wash the just used set after each ride or the next day.
Certainly don't need 7, unless you want each day to be unique.
Bring a few and wash/dry them on the 3rd day and 6th day at a laundromat or with soap and water in a sink.
Bring 2 and wash the just used set after each ride or the next day.
Certainly don't need 7, unless you want each day to be unique.