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. 

                                            Cyndi, Christopher, Me

                                                 Beginning of ride

Rehydrating

Nice charity ride Sunday for environment and climate.  Cruising Chicago's Lake Shore Drive with son Christopher and friend Cyndy.  It was an excellent day for the ride but with so many riders every riding protocol that I'm familiar with was violated. This  includes, but is not limited to: riders with no helmets (when they were required), passing riders with no warning, texting while riding, using cell phone while riding, riding three abreast blocking the path, riding in opposite lane with oncoming bikes, and many others.  But, it wasn't very long (twenty five miles) and my concerns make me sound like a bike snob so I will focus on the positives.  Beautiful day, cool wind off the lake, and riding with great people followed by lunch and re hydrating at local German restaurant.  Eat your heart out Harry!!

From Mt Mingus-Car missing turn

Riding vicariously with the 2012 crossroads cross country group. I find it mildly amusing they are complaining about the searing heat of the Mohave and Sonora deserts. What were they expecting? I recall those days vividly. In fact, with all the appropriate precautions three of our riders were admitted to the emergency room to get re hydrated. Anyway, it will not be the last of the adventures they will endure on their trip. And, actually they are getting quite a tailwind the last few days unlike our experience of virtual headwinds most of the way. I am including a picture they took of a car that was trying to take a shortcut off Mt. Mingus. Fortunately and amazingly no one was injured especially the bikers it missed.
I know many people in the Midwest, and in our area particularly, lament the lack of rainfall.
But, for myself, it is great. No lawn moving and biking outside almost every day. Now, can it get better than that. I suspect not!! More later.

Rode my first "century" of the year. Never did my 100 miler this early but Wednesday was a perfect day to ride 100 miles. The weather people predicted a NNW wind which meant I would have a tailwind the entire route. The temperature was in the high 50's. As usual I planned on riding from my house in Washington to Champaign for a total of 101.5 miles. Before leaving I stopped for a few supplies from the local bike shop. When I informed them I was riding to Champaign, Bob said "the wind must be blowing hard from the WNW". The implication was clear. When riding that distance I always need a tailwind, thus, I was a "wuss". Well, he is absolutely correct. I am, indeed, a "wuss" because I have ridden with the wind and I have ridden against the wind and I prefer to ride with the wind. I guess that makes me a "wuss". However, karma was to play it's hand today. Instead of the wind being NNW, as was predicted by all of the prognosticators, it actually blew from the ENE which meant I had a cross wind or a quartering head wind. I did not have a tailwind the entire 100 miles. Now, I realize the implication of riding that distance in April. It was very close to April 15 so karma made the ride very "taxing"......get it. Ha, Ha, no more "wuss".
On another note, the Hankster called while I was on today's ride. When I finished, I called him back. His wife, the lovely Carol, is going to be on the support staff for this year's cross country adventure. She is a wonderful woman and joined the support staff on the East Coast ride. She did an amazing job so I know she will be great for this year's trip. I am trying to convince Hank to meet us in Champaign as the 2012 group goes through in early June but he indicated he may have other plans. Regardless, I plan on seeing Carol when they arrive. Ronni and I will take her out for a nice meal at one of our favorite eating establishments. Looking forward to seeing her and hopefully Hank will be able to join us. For those folks riding the 2012, your adventure begins in less than a month. Good luck and I will be following your journal entries.