Anyone out there going to RAGBRAI this year? I got on the Air Force Cycling Team so I’ll be there on my Tri Bike (also my only bike).
Not going to be able to make it this year but went last year for my first. Would love to go again but couldn’t swing it this year. Is this your first? If so, prepare to be blown away. It’s unlike anything you’ve ever done or seen. Great way to get ~500 miles in in a week. Enjoy!!
Yeah, its my first. I had to work pretty hard to get on the AFCT so I’m expecting a good time. I just need to come up with the $2K to get there. Anyone want to sponsor me? I have plenty of sticker real estate on my bike for sale 
hell yeah. for the 12th or 13th year.
Better start training your liver right now!
And Dutch, shotgun?
I’ll be there again this year. What better way to spend 5 days of PTO than riding your bike all day, every day? (and eating and taking naps under shade trees in random peoples’ yards.)
My team and I have a goal every day to find water activities: A fire department hosting a water fight, farmers with Slip n slides, even paid $3 to get into a city pool and have contests off the high-dive!
My suggestion for a first timer who wants to get some training in (I used it to help train for IMWI last year) is to pick a few days early in the week and use those to really focus on it as a training ride. Then as you get closer to the weekend, concentrate more on the fun and taking it all in - you’ll regret it if you’re too serious all week!
Should be a great ride this year. Flat flat flat. Well for sure the first few days. This would be a good year for me to ride early in the week, since the route goes within 15 miles of my Mom’s house on Monday. And part of that day is on my long ride route when I am visiting her, I was just on some of these roads on Saturday.
All that being said. I don’t get back from IMLP until Tuesday, and don’t know that I will be up for riding 60+ miles at all that week. So probably not going to ride at all this year.
It is quite the event. Lots of fun.
And Dutch, shotgun?
Shotgun, T-Garv!
XXXV makes year XIII for me, but this is the first year all week kitchen pass self-contained bagger style self supported back of the pack riding actual bike.
LA can hang in my paceline if he can ride at night all beer-ed up towing a Bob with 48 Miller Lites in it. Max speed in my paceline is 12 mph, and you have to shotgun a beer at the bottom of each hill.
Dutch
HA! I knew that post would draw you out of the woodwork for your first post.
See ya tomorrow in DesMoines.
I’ll be there along with ~30 other people on the Pedaling for Parkinson’s team. This year we have five patients riding with us. The Calfee and Paketa tandem will be in our group; I 'll be riding the Calfee with my wife or a patient or my niece or any other random stoker.
Jay