Ragbrai 2010

What's Ragbrai? First, it's an acronym for "Register"s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa". It's been described as a cross between a county fair and Mardi Gras.
Over 15,000 people gather in Iowa each summer, the last full week of July, and ride their bicycles across the state.
It began 38 years ago when 2 employees of the Des Moines Register Newspaper decided to ride their bikes across Iowa, and write a story about the state. A small announcement was made in their paper, inviting anyone who wanted to join in. The day they started, 200 people showed up on their bikes to join them! About 100 did the whole trip!
They received so much interested in the ride, they decided to make it an annual event. The second year, about 2,000 people showed up!

Ragbrai 2010: July 24, The Eve of Day One

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The preparation is done. Training is complete. Bags are packed. It's time to hit the road.
This year, we are going as a "Team". You can sign up as an individual, or if there are 4 or more in your group, you register as a team. And a team has to have a name. We were team "Lost Cause". Long story, Jason picked it out. My wife, Lajunta will be our driver. She'll carry our baggage and meet us each evening. I'll be joined on the ride by our daughter, Karla, and her husband, Jason.
On Friday the 23rd, we met Karla and Jason at their home in Ozark, Missouri. We decided to make it a two day drive, as we wanted to arrive early afternoon in Sioux City, IA, the starting point. On the eve of the ride, there is trade show that we wanted to attend.
We spent the night in St. Joseph, MO. We arrived early afternoon in Sioux City.

Jason's pick-up, packed with our supplies. Camping gear, clothing, a couple cases of water, and a few snacks.

Ragbrai 2010: July 25, Day One

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Today we began in Sioux City, passed through the towns of Kingsley, Washta, and Quimby. The end of the day found us in Storm Lake.
For some reason when camping, I wake up early. I was awake at 5:30, which is early for me. Had a good night's sleep, temps in the low 60's. I don't usually like to eat a big breakfast, til later in the morning. So my usual routine is to drink some GatorAid and snack on some trail mix or pastry, or perhaps some fig newtons (as one guy told me, "the poor man's power bar").
Nick, our over night host, was up early to join us. He was only joining us for Sunday. Not sure, but I think the first day may bring out the largest number of riders, since it is Sunday and begins in a larger city. I think we were on the road by 7:15. 

 Either in the evening or first thing in the morning, I wrote in my journal the happenings of the previous day. Wait two days, and I forget things.

Ragbrai 2010: July 26, Day Two

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Today we began in Storm Lake. Our pass through towns today included Varina, Pocahontas, Plover, Rolfe (on the loop for those wanting to do a "century"....100 miles for the day), West Bend, Whittemore, and our final destination for the day, Algona.

A great day for biking. Temperatures in the 80's. No head winds. Cloudy afternoon, flat terrain. Today I'd set a record for the most miles I've ever ridden in a day.

 Morning hygiene duties, Karla and I brushing our teeth.

Ragbrai 2010: July 27, Day Three

The pass through towns today included Wesley, Britt and Garner. Destination for the day, Clear Lake.
After yesterday's perfect riding weather, today was a little less friendly. Had some head winds, and temperatures in the 90's.
As has become my habit, I missed a turn, and ended up touring the town before finding our host family.
Clear Lake was a beautiful town, very elaborately decorated for the event. I over-shot my turn off, ended up riding an almost complete loop around the lake. The lake has a perimeter of just 14 miles, and is only 20' deep. The town put on a very nice fireworks display that evening.

Jason pumping up tires. This is something we do each morning. I want every pound of pressure possible in my tires, so the bike rolls as easy as possible. I'm writing in my journal.

Ragbrai 2010: July 28, Day Four

We left Clear Lake Wednesday morning and passed through Swaledale, Rockwell, Cartersville, Owen and Rockford before arriving in Charles City to spend Wednesday night.

 Scott leaving out for this job at the post office.

Ragbrai 2010: July 29, Day Five

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Today we headed due south of Charles City to Clarksville, then through New Albion, Parkersburg, Stout and Dike. End of the day found us in Waterloo.
I met a group of European riders today. Two were from Italy, one from Germany.
Ran across Karla in the town of Parkersburg. She and Jason had gotten separated. Told her to stay put, and I'd see if I could find him. The plan was if separated, to wait at the beginning of the next town. So I rode back through town, finally found Jason. Is a bit of a challenge, when there are thousands and thousands of bikes.

 I ride with shoes that clip into the pedals, so I don't wear them inside since they could scratch a floor (there is a cleat on the bottom that locks into the pedal). I find sandals very comfortable for summer riding.

Ragbrai 2010: July 30, Day Six

Today was a memorable day. Woke up at 5:00. One tip I'd read about Ragbrai, was to be sure and bring ear plugs, especially if you camp with a large group. Even though we were never in a big group of campers, I slept better if I put my ear plugs in. When I woke up today, I took out the ear plugs, and was surprised to hear some girls laughing and hollaring, almost at times sounding like screams. I listened for awhile, at first a little concerned about what was happening. Then I figured out there was a pool at the house across the road. They were jumping off the diving board and having a good time.
It was also the first time we'd camping right along the next day's route. When I got out of my tent, there were already cycles passing, at 5:00am! And it was just starting to get daylight. I'd heard that riders sometime start at 4:00-4:30, but I'd never seen them.

Ragbrai 2010: July 31, Day Seven, Final Day

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The final day is usually the shortest day of the ride, this year about 47 1/2 miles. For me, today's highlight was visiting the farm where the movie, "Field of Dreams" was filmed and visiting with Carter LeBeau.
We passed through the towns of Earlville, Dyersville, Bankston, and Graf, before reaching Dubuque and the mighty Mississippi River.

 The day began with a delightful surprise. There was another couple spending the night at the home of our host.  Mr Carter LeBeau has ridden in all 38 Ragbrai rides! He is the only person to have done this. He and his wife, Kaye, came out of the house, about the same time we were about to leave. I thought to myself, "I would love to get a photo with him, but he is such a Ragbrai celebrity, I hate to ask". As they were coming out of the house, he seen my Razorback head gear (I thought since it was the last day and the mileage was short, I'd reattach the hog). I was delighted when Mr. LeBeau seen the Razorback, turned to his wife and said, "Grab the camera, Kaye, I want a photo with this guy".
What a wonderful fellow! We had a brief chat, found out he and his wife take turns riding. One rides half the day, while the other drives. Then at some point during the day, they swap places.