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Note that RAGBRAI XXXV will be July 22-28 2007
This is the front of the Team Wiz "On your LEFT!" shirt! I am using them as a fund raiser and they cost $14 each. Order one for yourself, your friends and anyone you pass regularly! Only $14!! More designs coming from Team WizWear!
I love the event known as RAGBRAI. It is officially "The Register's Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa" followed by a Roman Numeral, in this case (2007) XXXV. THIRTY FIVE years of Idiots Out Wandering Around (IOWA) For 2007 I am starting up a group of people, primarily on Trikes, and mostly WizWheelz Terra Trikes, but again, I don't really mind the occasional unbeliever on something like an ICE or Greenspeed, or something else that is interesting. We would even welcome a few riders of those odd bikes with two wheels if they are really nice to us!
First to point out what this really is. I am a veteran of several RAGBRAI rides, III was my first, followed by 6 of the next several rides, or parts of them at least, then I took off several years (try 20!) before I took it up again at the age of 50. In 2004, I rode My Vision Vr-40 recumbent bicycle for the first 5 days of the ride, until my knees crapped out on me, then in 2005 I rode my WizWheelz Terra Trike 3.3 on the last two days.
You may ask yourself, "Self, why is this idiot trying to plan this Team for the ride NOW ?" and you would think about it and realize that I am getting going rather late in the game already! in only 6 SHORT months, the route will be announced, the registration will be started and we will be almost too late!
Why a TEAM? Well, if we can register as a TEAM, then we will stand a better chance of all being able to go together and hang together. Basic Rule here is that you need NOT ride with other team members, though generally it might be preferable to all start at the same time. Also, we can meet at the campground and camp in a little "village" together at the official campgrounds. Also with a TEAM we can rent a truck to haul our stuff from one camp ground to the next and maybe get a bus company to take us to the start and home from the finish in air conditioned comfort. I am Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa which is a great place to base for an attempt at RAGBRAI
OK, the question has been asked, "What the heck IS RAGBRAI?" and what can I expect? Well, in "reality" RAGBRAI is the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa and is the FIRST and greatest of the cross state rides. OFFICIALLY it is a recreational TOUR, not a race. It was started in 1973 when Two columnists for the Des Moines Register decided to con their boss into a free bike tour on the company nickel. They decided to have the ride, and to visit small towns across the state. They then proceeded to put an article in the Register saying that they would ride, when they were starting and what their route was. Then they made their FIRST big mistake, they asked if anyone wanted to come along, and if so, to show up on the first day with a bike at the starting town. To their surprise over 300 people showed that first year, then after the ride, asked if they were going to do it again. A Monster was born, well, at least it is a friendly monster! that first 300 or so (reports say 350) grew into the many many of the mid 70's and early 80's with estimates of 3-4,000 riders most years, and it steadily grew to a new imposed limit of about 10,000 riders now. However, I don't think ANYONE really knows how many people have ridden RAGBRAI because people are constantly dropping in, out and sideways. a few have dropped dead. don't take me wrong. It is a big, rolling community and is loaded with superlatives, but a few folks, for whatever reason, have died. Most from misadventure or accident, though the safety record is phenomenal really! A few riders have had heart attacks or other problems. Accidents do claim a few people and can certainly make the ride less pleasant if you simply injure your self or damage your bike so badly that you can't ride any more! My goal is to have my friends NOT get hurt on the ride. So caution and training is an important point!
I have often told people that the event has a real identity problem. It can't seem to figure out if it is a Mardi-gras style party, bicycle parade, traveling freak show (um...this is actually sort of true really, wait until you SEE some of them) camping trip, family reunion (for those with REALLY large families!) or 400 mile long, 7 day progressive dinner....with alcohol (assuming you WANT alcohol)
There are those who make it a major excuse for consuming vast quantities of alcohol, and others who simply like to dance on tables and do naked beer slides. Personally, I don't, but the entertainment factor for those folks is definitely there. But the ride is many things to many people. the last two years, I have ridden 7 of the 14 days and have not seen any really excessive partying, though it IS there. The campgrounds are generally fairly quiet these days, gone is the raucous singing from the first few years. I still can hear the campground in Vinton back on III when one group would howl, in a Drunken chorus, "Vooooolaraiiiii....." and across the campground would come the reply, "...Ohhh,, woaaaaah!" You just don't get entertainment like THAT any more, and Glad I am of it too!!
But for us old fogies, RAGBRAI can be a fun event too, there is entertainment, things to see, stuff to buy, bargains on T shirts! (a big hint. buy the T shirt from LAST year! they are usually less than HALF what the new ones are!) and bike parts and repairs too, Food is plentiful and varied, though strict Vegetarians may have some difficulties getting just what they want, but if you like pancakes, sausage, Burgers, Brats, Pasta, Turkey, Pork chops Pie and home made Ice cream. There is always the option of a Beer or two as well. I prefer to camp out, even with all it's attendant hazards, because of the community feel that you simply don't GET with motel rooms.
Suggestions for things to use for out community will be appreciated. We are just in the planning stages at this point in time so any suggestions and assistance would be VASTLY appreciated! I will also be posting photos from my archives just as soon as I can!
contact Mark Garvey Lazybee45@gmail.com for more