RAGBRAI

Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa

WHY? Why would you go on vacation to ride your bicycle during the hot humid heat of July in Iowa?

This question comes up a lot when I tell people I am going to Iowa. I hope this short story of a day during RAGBRAI explains my answer a bit. It isn’t a bicycle ride it is an experience of life, people and the heart of America.

I awake at 5:30 am a little sore from the previous days riding. I have ridden 78 miles on the first day and 100 on the second. Outside the camper I can already hear bicycles whizzing past on their way to the next Iowan town. I stretch a bit and put on my damp riding clothes since they don’t dry completely on the clothes line in the humidity.

By 6:30am I have eaten Kashi cereal and rice milk for breakfast, had 3T of Amino Fuel for muscle repair, had my 5 hour energy drink, put on sunscreen, cleaned my sunglasses, put today’s route on my bicycle; packed my cell phone, some cash for homemade pie, my camera and some protein energy bars. Duke has gotten our water bottles ready with Citomax energy drink, cleaned the bikes, oiled the chains and aired up the tires. I put on my shoes and helmet and we our off to find our place in the pack of 10,000 riders.

On this morning the sun is shining just above the horizon casting long shadows of all types and sizes of bicycles across the road. As we depart this small town I say, “Good morning.” at least 20 times to various people as they sit on their porches, coffee in hand, thanking us for coming and wishing us a safe journey. Only in Iowa I think with a big smile on my face.

At first the bicycles are packed in pretty close together as we take up two lanes of traffic. I pedal with the crowd so my legs can get warmed up and stretched out a bit. I take my camera out of the back of my riding jersey and take photographs of people riding and the countryside. It is quite tricky to pedal and shoot at the same time so I am grateful when 1 out of 10 looks good. The air is crisp and the fields have a slight fog rising from them. I feel invigorated by the energy of all the people around me. It is a wonderful morning.

About 15 miles into the ride, at the first town, many people stop for breakfast. Along the way a promise of eggs, sausage, pancakes, and coffee entice many riders to stop and stand in the long line. Duke and I get off our bike and walk through town, it is about 7:30am and 68 degrees, perfect riding weather. As you walk along Main Street of this one street town you are tempted with homemade cinnamon rolls, watermelon, cookies, bananas, breakfast burrito, smoothies, pizza, turkey legs, corn on the cob and many choices of energy drinks at various booths set up by some fundraising group. RAGBRAI is a traveling fundraiser for the state of Iowa with Boy Scouts, cheerleaders, Lodges, churches, and children with lemonade stands getting their share of the dollars being spent.

Being the serious riders that Duke and I are we usually wait for the second half of the ride before we start eating anything but our boring energy bars. However at the last town before the end of the day I usually stop for homemade pie. One of my favorite memories was when I was looking for pie. About 8 miles back a series of signs promised us homemade pie. Grandma’s Homemade Pie. So at the 8 mile mark I was actively looking for this treat. As I looked to my right I saw some people sitting on gorgeous lawn eating PIE and just as I got ready to turn into the driveway I saw this beautiful 4 year old girl with soft curls blowing in the wind holding a sign that said “Grandma’s Pie.” However what I loved most was her strong determined voice saying, “Grandma’s pie! BEST PIE EVERRRRR.” How could you not stop?! And yes the pie was great and the crust was light and flaky.

The crowd of bicycles begin to thin out after the second town. Many riders have stopped for breakfast or just to rest. However this is the time when Duke and I have the most fun. We begin to kick it into high gear pedaling at between 18 to 24 mph up and down the rolling hills. A challanging experience is to get into a pace line. They are best when the wind is at your face and all the riders in front of you break the wind and pull you along, usually at 20+mph. It is an awesome way to pass time and miles.

I know this story is getting long but I can’t leave out some of the details that make RAGBRAI so unique from anything else I have ever done.

After Jeremy, our “Sag Wagon” driver, gets to the destination town; he would get on his bike and ride against traffic to meet up with us. He was able to get in about 200 miles for the week this way; more bicycle riding then he had ever done before. When we do arrive in our destination town about 11:30 am Duke and I have pedaled about 70 miles. It is always a welcome site to find the camper and get off the bikes for the day. Right away we eat some protein based meal; pre-made cold chili or spaghetti sauces are the favorites, quick and easy. We then have more Amino Fuel, vitamins, fruit and lots of water. Next a shower and nap are always needed.

The perfect RAGBRAI day is when you get to spend the afternoon sitting at a picnic table in the grassy treed town square and watch various local dance studios perform, listen to a great band, eat some homemade pie and talk to the locals. Two gentleman farmers, Burdeen and Dale, were our favorites this year. They both were fascinated by the concept of riding a bicycle across Iowa. Both were in their 70’s and had lived in a nearby town their whole lives as corn and soybean growers. I will always remember their smiles and the unique Iowan way they welcomed you to their town. Dale was excited to spend the evening, until midnight, listening to the band playing rock and roll in the beer garden. Burdeen had his 15 year old grandson with him, and couldn’t imagine not having family living in the house. The following day we were going to be riding through their hometown about 20 miles into the ride. Both gentleman said they looked forward to waving at us as we past through. Burdeen said he would be in a gray pick-up truck and Dale would be in the park. As you can imagine I was skeptical that we would see each other again.

While Duke and I were in the park visiting, Jeremy needed to do some laundry. So he knocked on the door of an Iowan home and asked if he could use their hose to fill his bucket so he could wash his clothes. The lady of the house promptly took that bucket of clothes from Jeremy and proceeded to wash, dry and fold them for him instead. Jeremy was thrilled and amazed at the hospitality.

When it started to get dark, Duke and I took a walk through the town. Jeremy would walk with us and sometimes go do his own thing. It was very easy to be around him. What I appreciated most was that he was sure to get the camper to the destination on time; he never complained and showed appreciation for the opportunity to be there in many ways. On this particular night the band was great, so we stayed up to dance in the street to a few songs. I loved the evening.

The next morning the routine started all over again, getting up at 5:30am to ride to the next destination town. However this morning was a little different because we had two new friends to find, Burdeen and Dale. So after pedaling 20 miles, just as promised, Burdeen was parked on a side street in his gray truck with his grandson. They both got out of the vehicle and greeted us like long lost friends. Next we looked for Dale in the park. He was very easy to spot sitting in a lawn chair, “in the same shirt and hat he wore yesterday” so we could easily spot him. Once again we were greeted like long time friends.

So what is RAGBRAI? I believe it is a moment in time when everyone is friends – no matter where you come from and no matter what you do; Iowans open their yards, homes, and hearts to everyone who comes to visit. I am grateful to have been apart of the bicycle ride, the ride into the heart of America - Iowa.