iowa ragbrai (Des Moines, Iowa City, Spencer: move, events, race)

[proud buckeye]

i would like to know if anybody had ever rode in the iowa ragbrai, the bike ride across iowa, my friend from iowa and i both are active in redcross, thats how we met and are going to ride in the event july 22-28, i think it will be a very awesome experience, i've never been to iowa before and would like some feedback of any kind related to the ragbrai, thanks

[GeoMapster]

Hi Proud Buckeye,

First of all, I never ride in "Register's Annual Great Bike Race Across Iowa" (RAGBRAI) before but been seen this association sometimes in every summer. If I ever participated, I would be happy to tell you.

RAGBRAI is very popular in state of Iowa and each year they take turn in each region from west to east statewide. This year will be in the northern part. I will be watching this event on Friday which it will go from Independence to Dyersville. The towns along this day will be Independence, Aurora, Lamont, (Backbone State Park), Dundee, Manchester, Delaware, Earlville and Dyersville. I lived in Independence from March 2003 to March 2007. I just moved to Strawberry Point about 16 miles north of Manchester on Highway 13. The exact location I will be watching will be in the heart of Backbone State Park about 7 miles south of Strawberry Point.

Next year will be in southern part and the year after next will be in the middle part and so on

I saw Lance Armstrong, USA cyclist expert and seven-time Tour De France Champions, there last year competing but not throughout the statewide. He chose from Des Moines to Iowa City (2 days of 7). It was so awesome to see him in person and he was (just 10 feet from me) talking with new commentator for local TV News.

Anyway, I hope you will have fun with this association. Maybe I will write down "GeoMapster" on presentation board so you may see me sitting and watching all of cyclists including you. LOL

Hope this helps you and wish there is other person here have the experience to tell you in this forum.

Have a great day and weekend!

Kevin aka GeoMapster


PS Just in case if you don't know about RAGBRAI's website --> http://www.ragbrai.org/

[patmc]

Some of the people over at www.HeyIowa.com are RAGBRAI riders. There are also several other (much smaller Iowa based bike rides that are discussed there).

[Tek_Freek]

I've never gone, but I know a number of people that have. Most of them tell me


PPPPAAAARRRRRTTTTYYYYY!!!!!!!

assuming you have any energy left at the end of the day.

[proud buckeye]

thanks for all the info, i tell ya, i'm very excited about this event, don't party anymore but i hear the beer's flowing, i'm going to ride with a nice iowa girl that i met in the redcross, our team name is teamohiowa, i'm doing the ride to have fun, listen to my ipod, see the iowa countryside since i've never been to iowa, and stuff my face with good food on a daily basis, everyone have a nice day.

[atowngirl]

This year RAGBRAI is going to stop through Spencer. I live close to there. The town is putting on many events for the riders. I have heard nothing but great things planned. Lots of people have volunteered!