Yes, I am quite sure that the organizers are certainly trying to do their best at creating a great and safe experience for all of the riders involved. The reality of 10,000 or so riders - all of whom settle in at their own unique pace based on their conditioning, bicycles and preferences - will be quite a sight to see and navigate. I am looking forward to it.

I took up the discussion of tandems on RAGBRAI over on the tandem board wanting to read some thoughts of more experienced tandem riders in large groups to get an idea of what to expect. There have been some good responses on that thread. I liked one reference to George Carlin's routine that he used for cars which livngood posted:

Actually, George Carlin nailed this entire issue many years ago in one of his stand-up routines where he was talking about driving cars. Cutting to the chase, and modified for cycling vs driving it goes like this...

Anyone who is riding fast enough to pass you is a MANIAC, while anyone riding slower and impeding your progress is an IDIOT! :roflmao:

BB

I am making final purchases for our RAGBRAI XXXI trip and have a couple of questions.

We have our official wristbands. We have our tent. We have our air mattresses. We have our bikes. We have our charter service. We have our team. We have our airline tickets. We have our cycle clothing. We have our helmets. We have our tools.

What we don't have yet are sleeping bags and pillows. I noticed in the sports store that they sell something called a "sleeping sack" which is basically just a sheet sack. It says it is good for warm weather sleeping. So my question for those of you that have done the ride before and know southern Iowa weather in July is this: How cold does it get at night? Would a sleep sack (a sheet to lay on and a sheet to cover you) be enough, not enough, a possible solution, not a possible solution?

What about camping pillows? The ones I saw in the camping store were about the size of a computer laptop and pretty worthless for a pillow loving guy like myself. I think I would get about as much use out of a wadded up t-shirt for a pillow as those things.

I would appreciate any advice/suggestions.

BB

Hi Bruce! Sure sounds like you have almost everything you need!
The first two years, I used bedding...sheets and a blanket. This year, I will be using sleeping bags. Be a lot handier. I would imagine a sleeping bag like you describe would do okay, unless it would happen to be rainy, then it might be a little cool. Perhaps a sleeping bag and a blanket would be in order. May not need it, but wouldn't hurt to have it, either!
And, when I camp, I usually just use rolled up clothes for a pillow, always works for me.

These "sheet sleeping sacks" say they can be used to line a sleeping bag, be used in a youth hostel, used as a guest in someone's home, in a hotel, etc... or simply by themselves when camping in warm weather. They pack up to about the size of a Coke can, so having them along for the really hot nights might not be too bad of an idea. I couldn't imagine climbing in a mummy style sleeping bag on one of those hot and humid nights, but that style seems to be about all I can find here in Austria at the moment. Maybe I will wait until we come to the states in July to look for some lightweight, rectangular style sleeping bags.

BB

Well, I think something a bit heavier than the "sheet sleeping sacks" might well be in order. Some nights, it could be enough, but sometimes nights in the 60's can feel cool!
Won't be long now, and the fun will start!!

I had my wife and daughter out with me for a 3 hour ride on Monday (was a holiday here in Austria). The first hour was against a strong headwing and the last hour was uphill the entire way. We will do the same ride today (plus a few more miles) as we get into RAGBRAI mode. The son is at basketball camp this week, so he is missing out on getting in bike shape.

I will look for some lighter weight sleeping bags. If it is too hot, we can simply sleep on top of the bags. That's why I would prefer a rectangular shaped bag and hope to find something that will satisfy us. I am toying with getting the junior sized bags for the kids, but at the rate they are growing I figure why not by the adult size and have it for future years use.

BB

It's June 20th! Only one month to go before RAGBRAI XXXI!

For those of you that have ridden the event and attended all of the festivities before, is the opening bike show on Saturday the 19th worth attending? Obviously, LeMond will be there signing autographs for the sock company which would be fun. What types of things are on display at the bike show?

Another question I have for such an extended week long ride is avoiding saddle sores. I was thinking baby powder would be worth bringing along. Any other tricks or ointments to apply to prevent anything developing in the saddle area?

BB

Well, I had a good time, and even my non-biker wife enjoyed herself. There is all manner of biking 'stuff' there, and even at good prices!

They have stuff like 'butt ice' to help with the saddle sore issue, but for me, all that I have ever used is Vaseline (white petrolium jelly.) I don't use it all the time, but if I start getting a little sore, a liberal coat of that, and I'm good to go!

The countdown is a fun..won't be long now!

It won't be long at all. Still don't have the wife and kids logged up to the suggested training miles for the ride, but they've been riding fairly well in the past month.

According to our team leader/shuttle service we will be arriving in time to catch some of the bike show on Saturday the 19th. I will probably be spending more time getting the tandems assembled and the tent set up to spend very much time looking at all of the goodies.

BB

Well I am for sure coming to this event, under much coaxing. I will probably be dead after the first day of riding, but hey thats what sag vehicles are for right?? Well hope to see ya all there!!!

SAG? There is no need for SAG.

Actually, from what I have heard (back me up Nebill), the SAGs are nice, but you may have to wait hours to catch one.

I never want to SAG unless I am broken down (bike or body). I'm there to ride.

Altho I am only a novice RAGBRAI'r, I have never found a need for a sag, so I can't say if they are nice or not.
My first trip to Iowa was done in my 4th month of bike riding, so I was a long way from being what you would consider fit! While there may be days ranging from 60 to 100 miles (depending on your option, of course) typically, you ride between 10 and 20 miles before you pass thru a town, and have to get off the bike and walk anyway, so it's not bad.
And besides, the pass-thru towns are always a lot of fun anyway, so it's worth the stop, even if you don't need to!
So, don't worry too much about a sag, just get out there and ride your own ride, spin 'em up, and have a little fun!!

Well im not in the best of shape, and just started riding a month ago, i do have 400 miles under my belt so far, and should have well over 600 by the time of the ride, so i think i should be ok, just gotta pace myself. Found out a couple of days ago, that doing 13 miles at 18mph avg, doesnt leave anything in the gas tank for the second 13 miles :).

Awesome Foxman, sounds like you are doing fine! The great thing about RAGBRAI, you are free to ride your own ride. Do what feels right for you, and it will be just fine!
Still hoping things work out that we can all meet up at lunch break on the first day!!

That would be cool, just let me know when and where and i will try and be there!!

I believe the plan is to meet at Emerson, the third pass thru town on the first day. Meeting place is at the Fire House....shouldn't be too hard to find in a town with a population of 480. (Big city for me...almost twice the size of my home town!!) Meeting time is noonish.

Emerson Fire House at HIGH NOON.

From the thread at the RAGBRAI.org chat room:

The e-cyclist meeting is at Emerson. Emerson is the third town out the first day, 34 miles from Glenwood. So you DO need to start early to get there by high noon (route's open at 6:00).

http://forums.desmoinesregister.com/...2%5E6@.ee870d0

BB

Thought the first day starting time was 7 am???

:D...the first day starts exactly when you sit on the saddle and push on the pedal for the first time. The route is "officially" open from 6 AM untill 6 PM, but there is no mass start (what a disaster that would be!) My Team starts out somewhere between 7:30 and 8:30, there are some riders who are out there before sunup, and then some who don't leave 'till noon. It's your ride, Foxman, make the most of it!!

You might try going to an Army surplus store and picking up a poncho and poncho liner. they make great bedding in moderate temps. Combine them with the army sleeping pad and you have light, comfortable, and foolproof. The pad is not compact, but the other two items are.

Thanks for the suggestion, FOG. The kids will be using sleeping bags. The adults....well, we have opted for our European down comforters with the coverlets which stuff in a sleeping bag sack quite nicely come to find out. We have been experimenting in our backyard (in the tent) with various combinations and the comforters seem to cover the gamut of hot nights to cool nights quite well. That is the temperatures here in Vienna have ranged from the 50's to the high 80's at night during our testing phase. And if we get too cold, the air mattresses snap together to make one double sized bed which allows my wife and I to figure out how to keep warm... :p :D

BB

10 days left!!!!

Ok, we are getting down to crunch time. I have met and exceeded my goal. I have more miles before RAGBRAI than I put in all of last year. I am looking forward to the Century. I hope to put in a 100 miler next week, but only time will tell.

I am thinking about the finishing touches on my packing list. I need to get started on when I will be packing up my stuff. I think I will start taking over the guest bedroom bed tomorrow.

Awesome!! I did the NUMB ride last week...like RAGBRAI, except there were only 75 riders!! But, it gave me a fine chance to get in a bit of time in the saddle, and make sure all the camping gear was ready to go!! I've laid in a good supply of batteries, the bike is tuned up, now if I am just up to the ride!!
Looking forward to lunch on the first day...hope to see ya there!!

Hey all,

I just found this forum today but I have enjoyed spending the last hour or so reading through your posts.

I am really jacked up about doing RAGBRAI this year!

I grew up in Iowa and we had the riders come through a couple of times in the 18 years before I left for college. This will be the first time that I will be on the riding side though. Many jokes have been made about the abundance of food and things along the way. Let me just say this: RAGBRAI funded about 25% of our youth group's trip to Denver, Colorado in 1989. We sold food as they came through town and the riders were very supportive. I can't wait to return the favor. This ride is a huge shot in the arm for all the towns along the way.

My wife is coming with me as my support vehicle driver; it's the only way she would make the trip. I can't believe how excited she is about driving across the state along little two-lane roads, but she's pretty pumped.

I'll see you all on the road!

It really is wonderful, isn't it? I love the ride, I love sharing some time with my dear friends from Cycle Sport, I love the people I get to meet during the ride, but I also get a kick out of meeting our hosts, and maybe doing a little good along the way. This is not to say that I won't be stopping to visit Mr. Pork Chop at least once, but for the most part, I enjoy the local booths. Last year, I even manned a bull horn to help drum up some buisness for a home made pies and ice cream booth to help a class earn money for a school trip...now that was an easy sell!!
Don't forget to meet some of us for lunch at Emerson on the first day if you can make it!