RAGBRAI!

[alaskaguy]

Re: RAGBRI!

I have done 28 RAGBRAIs and road bike is the only way to go.

Not necessarily. I will agree that a road bike is by far the easiest way to go. Nevertheless, its stimulating to ride a mountain bike pulling a trailer loaded with your gear and to wisk by someone on a road bike.

 

[scottie33]

Re: RAGBRI!

We should get a Cyclone Fanatic riding group together!

I'm up for this...that'd be so much fun!

We'd have to get CF jerseys made up and everything

 

[scottie33]

Re: RAGBRI!

I've done RAGBRAI a couple of times. In addition I've ridden a number of other monster bicycle tours; the Hotter Than Hell 100, Ride the Rockies, etc.

This year I'm changing gears and bikes. I'm planning on riding a portion of the Great Divide Mountain Trail.

Link:
Great Divide Mountain Bike Route - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You get the best of both worlds on this expedition; tremendous scenery and you get off the busy road system so motor vehicle traffic is no longer a concern.

I had a buddy when I was out in DC that flew to Colorado with him, his buddy, and their bikes and did the "Ride the Rockies" It says it was amazing with all the scenery



Another thing I would mention Tank...there are lots of little fun rides around Iowa and I think coming up there is a "Brrr Ride" which is around Baxter maybe? We did that and we also did the MAR (Mayor's Annual Ride) in Des Moines and I don't know if they still have this. But they are fairly cheap and fun, and get you set up well with working with/around other people on bikes to a smaller scale because you do ride on trails for a little while...takes you through all the capital area which is neat.

 

[sclotz]

I have a fashion question...If I happen to make it back...I get it that bike pants with the padding is a must, do I have to wear a corresponding shirt? I have gotten older, and have a paunch (pouch, like a kangaroo) I don't think the skin tight shirt would go well with a uniroyal belly...smile!

 

[jsmith86]

CF jerseys would be really cool.

 

[Tank]

Re: RAGBRI!

We should get a Cyclone Fanatic riding group together!

I second this!! It would be a great way to get a team together with a common bond and a great way to meet other Cyclones!!! Count my wife and I in!

 

[Cyclone1985]

I have a fashion question...If I happen to make it back...I get it that bike pants with the padding is a must, do I have to wear a corresponding shirt? I have gotten older, and have a paunch (pouch, like a kangaroo) I don't think the skin tight shirt would go well with a uniroyal belly...smile!

t-shirts work well too.. you'll see people wearing almost anything. team Dragbrai wears dresses once a week! heck when i rode i didnt think the biker pants were 'sexy' so i wore gym shorts over them. didnt have any problems

 

[BigBake]

In short...get out and start pedaling. You'll get the answers to many of your questions during that time.

Also start reading bikeiowa.com. Tons of good info there.

Find a friend who knows biking and go with them to the bike store to get started with the equipment you need.

I'd recommend Rasmussen Bike Shop if you are in Des Moines.

 

[Wesley]

My takeaway is Prepare Your Butt for a beating and Fill Your Mouth for 7 days of emtertainment.

 

[CyDude16]

I'll eventually do it, it sounds fun.

 

[CyCloned]

Re: RAGBRI!

Not necessarily. I will agree that a road bike is by far the easiest way to go. Nevertheless, its stimulating to ride a mountain bike pulling a trailer loaded with your gear and to wisk by someone on a road bike.

I don't think I would be passing a lot of people on a Mountian Bike with a trailer. I don't recall being passed by one either. One more thing I would suggest to RAGBRAI riders is a rack and trunk bag. You can get a lot of stuff in those bags. They are a little heavy, but it isn't a race.

 

[Cyano]

I have not seen any ISU cycling jerseys with the new I State logo. However, I have not been up to the Ames bikeworld...if there are some out there...this would be the location to find them. If anyone gets a chance to make it to the Ames BikeWorld...report if there are new I State jerseys.