Bike Ride Across Iowa
Mar 21st, 2002, 05:48 PM
#2
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My ex did the Ragbrae. Hello, I worked, he played, LOL. Anyway, it is easy-paced if you want. There is lots of fun, food and ambience along the way. Sleep in gyms. A trailer follows in case of flats or problems. If you think Iowa is flat, sorry!They change the route yearly, but be prepared for some hills and some heat. Anyway, you'll love it- have fun!
Mar 22nd, 2002, 07:11 AM
#4
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Hi Meredith,
My husband (who's from Iowa) and son went a couple of years ago and had a great time, but be prepared for any kind of weather and hit and miss propositions on food and sleeping situations. This gigantic mass of people is traveling through the countryside, stopping at little towns along the way. Church groups and civic organizations turn out to try and feed the hungry mob, but sometimes food is hard to come by. Most people do best who team up in groups. The teams have their own sag wagons and sometimes have their own food crews. Consider yourself lucky if you find a dry place to sleep during summer rainstorms--if the gym is full(not all towns have gyms, by the way), you sleep anywhere you can. Sometimes residents will open up their homes for overnight visitors. Having said all this, remember that the reason everybody loves this ride is that it's one big PARTY! There's plenty of high jinks going on from morning til night--just don't expect much in the way of creature comforts. I think there's a website, if you need more info.
My husband (who's from Iowa) and son went a couple of years ago and had a great time, but be prepared for any kind of weather and hit and miss propositions on food and sleeping situations. This gigantic mass of people is traveling through the countryside, stopping at little towns along the way. Church groups and civic organizations turn out to try and feed the hungry mob, but sometimes food is hard to come by. Most people do best who team up in groups. The teams have their own sag wagons and sometimes have their own food crews. Consider yourself lucky if you find a dry place to sleep during summer rainstorms--if the gym is full(not all towns have gyms, by the way), you sleep anywhere you can. Sometimes residents will open up their homes for overnight visitors. Having said all this, remember that the reason everybody loves this ride is that it's one big PARTY! There's plenty of high jinks going on from morning til night--just don't expect much in the way of creature comforts. I think there's a website, if you need more info.
Apr 6th, 2002, 12:12 PM
#5
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RAGBRAI is sponsored by the Des Moines Register, an acronym for Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. Would bet if you check out the Register's web site you'll get all the info you need.
Although I've never participated, this is big news here in our backwoods country and people come from all over the world--Japan, Australia, Europe!! Can you believe that--several thousand riders every year. Sounds like a hoot!
Although I've never participated, this is big news here in our backwoods country and people come from all over the world--Japan, Australia, Europe!! Can you believe that--several thousand riders every year. Sounds like a hoot!
Apr 12th, 2002, 05:59 AM
#6
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2002 is RAGBRAI XXX (that's 30 years of fun and challenge). There is a max of 8500 official riders and usually several thousand riders who simply tag along. The excellent website is www.ragbrai.org. By the way, food is plentiful and some people even manage to gain weight while biking 50 miles a day!
Jun 11th, 2002, 06:20 PM
#7
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I've ridden on RAGBRAI seven times and loved every trip. The more riding you do in advance, the better the ride. Iowa in July is beautiful. Bikers rise early to beat the heat and trek the 60 to 100 miles each day. Lots of food stands and heroes welcomes in every town on the route (usually six or seven a day). Late afternoons the ride gets a little rowdy, but not in a dangerous sort of way. The more seasoned RAGBRAIers usually like to party in the last town out before the overnight stop. You can camp, stay in homes, or try to get a hotel room (good luck there). This year's route in northern Iowa will be a little less hilly. Try it. You'll see why people have ridden 25 or 30 rides.
Jul 26th, 2006, 03:45 PM
#8
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Thought I'd top this as my husband,son and other friends have done this the past 3 years(-not me, a 20 mile bike trip is about my limit). Lance Armstrong is riding a day or 2 this year and of course everyone is excited about that. A fun vacation for the active person!
