Great way to end the day and quite fitting!!

This dude did the Iowa "Rag Ride" on a unicycle..now that's amazing

Barbie joining the dancers in Anamosa

Nice lady? I met along ride

picture is worth a thousand words

Me with group that Barbie travelled with

College jersey day at Rag Ride

Me and Barbie with Cross Roads Jerseys

Just finished my first Iowa "Rag Ride" aka RAGBRIA. I only did one day from Cedar Rapids to Anamosa Iowa. While I had entended to never do the ride for reasons listed in previous posts, after deciding to do it, I found I was correct on only one of my two assumptions concerning this ride. I did not encounter any drunk riders but the number of riders engaged in this ride was amazing. Friday's estimate was 20,000 riders. I can attest that there were at least that many. I had the good fortune of riding with Barbie from the XC09 cross country group. She is an excellent rider and was good companion during the ride. While the trek was only 42 miles, the hills at times reached a 14% grade and the wind was from the NNW at 15 mph gusting to 25 mph. For the first 15 miles we rode in a SE direction and the wind was at our backs. But we then headed north and the wind at times was directly in our face or, at best, a quartering head wind. The good news is that the last 5 miles we turned west and had a nice tailwind into Anamosa. The crowd was so massive that in the small towns we had to dismount and walk the length of their main street. Each town had many attractions to offer the riders so the ride had as much to do with socializing as to the actual ride. I can see the attraction but I'm not sure it's for me. Enjoy the pics.

Well, I'm finally going to do it. For years I have resisted doing the "rag" ride in Iowa. However, several of the Washington riders do it every year and say they really enjoy it. Some of the 09 riders have committed to doing it this year so I will meet with them, along with the Washington riders, and ride the last two days. Now, here is the reason I haven't done it. It's too long of a ride....okay, that's not it. My impression is that it is a week long party with many inebriated riders and many inexperienced riders. Now, that might not be a problem but you combine it with the fact that over 10,000 riders are involved and you get the picture. Friday's ride is relatively short, about 40 miles, so I will "test the waters" to see if I'm comfortable in that environment. Another factor is the weather. It is projected to be in the 100 degree range both days so that may also play into my decision to ride Saturday. We will see and more later

What's wrong with this picture?

HOT, HOT, HOT  101 degree temp. Forty miles each day the last two days.  I dn't have to remind myself to rehydrate.  Currently planning on joining Barbie the last day of the Iowa rag ride.  Looking forward to it and seeing other members of the 09 crew.  The XC12 group just finished and I talked to Carol, Hank's wife, who was a member of the support crew.  She stated that the riders did not have any rain the entire ride except for the last 15 miles to Revere Beach on the last day.  Now I am officially envious.