| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 1017.1 | Environment | USWAV7::CLELAND | Too cold for pedaling you say? | Mon Feb 27 1989 15:42 | 36 |
| Ragbrai started in 1973 as a ride across the state by two (2)
register columnists who invited a few friends along. It continues
to be a ride hosted by columnists John Karras, & Chuck "Iowa boy"
Offenburger. Other riders are invited to join them with the under-
standing it is at their own risk, and that John nor chuck nor the
Des Moines Register, nor any other person /organization connected
with the ride, assumes any responsibility or liability for them,
their bicycles or other equipment. (What a disclaimer...)
Ragbrai is a camping ride that involves 7,500 (14,000 showed
last year) for 7 days. Because most overnight stops are in small
communities, motel space is usually not available. There may be
rooms available in private homes, but the number usually cannot
meet the demand. Campgrounds will be set up in city parks, county
fairgrounds or schoolgrounds. Showers are available. (small fees)
There is plenty of food. Civic, church and student groups set
up stands along the route & in the campground areas. Churches in
the overnight towns serve complete dinners/Breakfast is available
each morning in the campground or nearby. Prices are reasonable.
The total 7-day ride is about 500 miles. Daily distances will
range from 45-80 miles/day, with an optional century loop on the
80-mile day. Iowa in July varies from warm to hot, from about 75-
100 degrees F during the day. And it could be humid. We may have
rain showers during the day, and we have had *thunderstorms* with
wind (usually in the evening). Rain or shine, the ride goes on...
Iowa is not flat. They don't have mountains, but they do have
many rivers and creeks, and each comes with a valley and hills.
Riders should be in shape to easily ride at least 50-75 miles/day
on rolling hills.
March 1st is the information deadline, but anyone can send in
an application for baggage tags. My fingers are getting tired for
now, I'll supply more info on applying for baggage tags later on.
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| 1017.2 | Route Info | TYFYS::DAVIDSON | Michael Davidson | Thu Mar 02 1989 17:48 | 24 |
| Route Information:
This year's ride will be 479 miles.
It all begins in Glenwood, Iowa and ends up in Belview, Iowa on the
Mississippi.
Glenwood ==> Clarinda 66 miles
Clarinda ==> Atlantic 60 miles
Atlantic ==> Jefferson 75 miles
Jefferson ==> Story City 52 miles (rest day)
Story City ==> Cedar Falls 86 miles (optional 14 miles for a century ride)
Cedar Falls ==> Dyersville 64 miles
Dyersville ==> Belview 64 miles
From past experience, the miles are probably calculated from a road
map. Our cycle computers have always had 5 to 10 miles more than the
posted distance when we were through for the day.
I have been the past 3 years and am looking forward again to this
years ride.
Michael Davidson
Colorado Springs, Co
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| 1017.3 | Thank you | 35946::CLELAND | Death metal? Gezundheit... | Fri Mar 03 1989 10:45 | 9 |
| Thank you, Michael. I live in the Boston, MA area, with relatives
in Des Moines, IA.
Sounds like you have a better source for info. Do you receive the
Des Moines Register in Colorado? Please update the topic here if
you can...
My first RAGBRAI was in 1977, I was only 16 years old. Are there
any other potential participants out there?
|
| 1017.4 | TEAM HEMMORIDERS | TYFYS::DAVIDSON | Michael Davidson | Fri Mar 03 1989 13:22 | 27 |
| I'm afraid I don't get the Des Moines Register here, however, I do
have lots of contacts. The route and application was printed in last
Sunday's Register.
I have several friends here from Iowa and we get the RAGBRAI info just
about as fast as anyone in IOWA.
I have gone for the last 3 years. My group grew from 5 people 3 years
ago to 24 last year - We are the HEMMORIDERS. We have become kind of a
sister/brother club to TEAM TACKY from IOWA. This group does not
plan to attend RAGBRAI this year, we are going to WASHINGTON and tour
the San Juan Islands later in August.
However, I have another set of friends who have done it for the past
2 years (we originally met 2 years ago ON Ragbrai). They have become
even closer friends than the other group now. We are planning to
attend if we can get a vehicle pass. This group likes to take a bus and
sleep in comfort.
There are several people from Digital that will be going if they get
in. My group is not DIGITAL.
I would say that I know of approximately 50 people in several groups
that went last year from Colorado Springs alone. I know of at least
5 groups this year that are planning to go.
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| 1017.5 | Application | USWAV7::CLELAND | Death metal? Gezundheit... | Wed Mar 08 1989 07:50 | 67 |
| How can *you* be a part of the ride? To be fair, participants are
selected through a drawing. Those drawn will receive the necessary
passes, wristbands, and tags. Those not drawn will have their monies
refunded in full. Mail in the names, addresses, & ages of all those
that would like to go (They want to make sure minors are accompanied
by adults, and have medical release forms).
What if you want to bring a vehicle (motor home, camper, etc...)?
They really don't want vehicles on the ride. The towns just don't
have parking space for alot of extra vehicles. However, the Register
will be issuing 500 vehicle passes this year. If the main campground
area is large enough, vehicles will be put with the tent campers.
If not, vehicles will be put in a seperate area as directed by local
officials (There will be tent space in the vehicle area). The paper
expects 2,000 requests for the 500 vehicle passes. (This will also
involve a drawing) If you want to attend the ride, but only if you
can bring a vehicle, write VEHICLE across the top of your "entry",
and write VEHICLE on the outside of your envelope. If your request
is drawn, you'll get a vehicle pass AND wristbands for your group.
If not, your monies will be returned to you. If you get a vehicle
pass, that vehicle must NOT be driven on the bicycle route.
There is a way to get a 2nd chance. Write OPTIONAL on your "entry",
and on the outside of your envelope. They'll put your entry in the
vehicle drawing. If it isn't selected for a vehicle pass, it'll
go in the drawing for baggage tags. If drawn for baggage tags, you'll
at least get to go, but leave your vehicle at home.
The Register hopes you'll forget a vehicle altogether, and request
only baggage tags. For those, write BAGGAGE on your "entry", and
on the outside of your envelope. If drawn, each rider listed on
your "entry" will receive a wristband & baggage tag.
Simply fill out an "entry", and send in the necessary names, ages
and addresses of all interested parties, and the appropriate fees.
It's best to include the requests for everyone in your group in
one envelope, and on one entry application.
Send your application after March 1st. All applications must be
received by April 1, 1989. The Des Moines Register plans to complete
the drawing by May 1, 1989.
Rider fees:
The cost to ride on RAGBRAI XVII is $40 for riders (which includes
a souvenir pack of special issues of the Register from RAGBRAI week,
or the fee is $35 without the souvenir pack), and $15 for nonriders
(which also includes the souvenir pack, $10 without the pack).
Application:
Put your own name at the top of any sheet of paper,
then include the names, addresses, & ages of everyone in your
group. Be sure to write either:
"VEHICLE", "OPTIONAL", or "BAGGAGE" on your application,
AND on the outside of your envelope! Include the appropriate
fees for all humans in your group who would like to attend.
Send your "entry" to the address mentioned in the root note of this
topic, include an un-stamped, business-size, self-addressed envelope.
Make checks payable to: RAGBRAI XVII
Those whose requests are not drawn, will have all fees returned
to them, in full.
Good luck,
Face
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| 1017.6 | | TYFYS::DAVIDSON | Michael Davidson | Tue Jul 18 1989 19:47 | 11 |
| ***** COLORADO HIGHWAY PATROL *****
RAGBRAI XVII here we come! We leave this Friday for IOWA. Our group
consists of 12 riders (2 Winnebegos). We lucked out and actually got
2 vehicle passes which is unheard of.
If anyone from Digital is also riding look for us. You might also
look for TEAM HEMMORIDERS. I was part of that team last year and will
be wearing my t-shirts from that group as well.
|
| 1017.7 | It was a Gas! | TYFYS::DAVIDSON | Michael Davidson | Tue Aug 01 1989 15:55 | 23 |
| Well, its over for another year. Don't know if any DECcies were there
but I did see a lot of people for Mass.
It was a beautiful year, the weather couldn't have been nicer. It was
overcast, foggy and cool (62 degrees) the first and last day of the
ride. Each day was cool up until about 9 or 10 and it only got up to
the 90's once.
This was one of the hillest rides I have done out of 4 RAGBRAI's. The
people were great, the town of CLARINDA got our group's vote for the
best community on the trip, Dyersville came in at a close second. I
got to see the 'FIELD OF DREAMS' in Dyersville.
I must admitted I didn't like taking an RV. You don't get to meet a
lot of people other than when you are riding. When you camp and go
with one of the charter groups, you meet and camp with quiet a few
people. All in all, I had a great time, even better than last year.
If you have a chance to go to RAGBRAI do it! Take the address in .0
and write to the Des Moines Register around the first of the year and
request application forms. Remember there is a lottery to get in and
your application must be in before April 1.
|
| 1017.8 | questions about RAGBRAI | BALMER::MUDGETT | did you say FREE food? | Wed Aug 09 1989 10:55 | 32 |
| Hey I did the Bike Ride Accross Georgia and while I was thinking
how great it was several fellow bikers said, "this ain't nothing
compared to RAGBRAI." Some of the things they said were hard to
believe so let me run them by you.
The local towns are said to compete to have the ride go through
their town.
It was said that the community groups sold dinners to the riders
in each town.
Did they really have twice the allowable number of riders show
up?
I heard that if interested riders want to get tickets we can join
a Iowa bike club because they get so many tickets per club.
There is alleged to be boys and girls cornfields.
It was said that there is fenceposts with toliet paper rolls
on top.
Someone told me that there are so many riders that you are always
riding in a pack noone's ever alone.
They said that some riders were going by like 6:00 in the morning
to avoid the crowd.
thanks for any answers,
Fred Mudgett
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| 1017.9 | Everything you heard is the truth! | TYFYS::DAVIDSON | Michael Davidson | Wed Aug 09 1989 12:15 | 103 |
|
>> The local towns are said to compete to have the ride go through
>> their town.
YES. The route is different each year and the towns fight to have
RAGBRAI come through. It is said that RAGBRAI riders will drop
approximately $30K in each town which is passed through during the
day and up to $200K in each of the overnight towns.
>> It was said that the community groups sold dinners to the riders
>> in each town.
A select number of churches in the overnight towns are selected to
serve dinners to riders. Each church generally prepares to serve
400 riders. Now the churches can't serve everyone so there are food
vendors in the town who serve pizza, hamburgers, Pork burgers, etc.
Along the route during the day, community organizations, churches,
schools, etc serve food along the route. This year some of the
dance bands on the route were better than those in the overnight
towns. You find food vendors on the average every mile along the
route. The farmers sell rolls, 'bars', cokes, watermellon, etc.
There was a cartoon in the Des Moines Register about half way through
the week that tells it all.
There were 2 farmers talking.
Farmer A: "What travels in swarms? Travels from town to town and
eats everythings in sight?"
Farmer B: "I don't know, Locusts?
Farmer A: "No, RAGBRAIR's"
>> Did they really have twice the allowable number of riders show
>> up?
The Des Moines Register says that they allow only 7500 riders via
a lottery system. This year they gave numbers to people for
photographs and I know someone who had number 84xx. So my guess is
they let in 8500 this year instead of 7500. Yes, there are bandits.
Legal people wear wristbands which say they paid. I would imagine
that there were around 9-10,000 riders on any given day but the
bandits are generally locals who ride 1 or 2 days. One of the towns
tried to get a good count this year based on the number of free
popcycle sticks they gave away and they gave out 6500. With the number
of support people, families in RV's etc, I would imagine that there
was around 10,000 total.
Last year the ride went through Des Moines and on that day, there
were counters in Des Moines which counted over 15,000 riders for that
particular day. The locals wanted to get in on the ride!
>> I heard that if interested riders want to get tickets we can join
>> a Iowa bike club because they get so many tickets per club.
This is one way of getting in. The major IOWA bike clubs get blocks
of tickets. Get enough people together (over 15) and claim that
you are a bike club and you have a greater chance of getting in.
>> There is alleged to be boys and girls cornfields.
>> It was said that there is fenceposts with toliet paper rolls
>> on top.
This came from an NBC report on RAGBRAI a couple years ago. The
reporter said something to the effect of "...and when you can't find
a KYBO, the cornfields are available - men on the right - women on
the left...". Over the last couple years some of the farmers have
played on this by placing signs in their cornfields and placing
rolls of paper on the fenceposts.
(A KYBO is a porta potty)
>> Someone told me that there are so many riders that you are always
>> riding in a pack noone's ever alone.
True unless you are at the very, very, very back or front of the pack.
>> They said that some riders were going by like 6:00 in the morning
>> to avoid the crowd.
The average time that people start in the morning IS 6:00. Our group
started at 5:00 several times this year to get as far along on the
route as possible before it got hot. Not necessarily to avoid the
crowds.
Many people I know, including several in my group of the past several
years want to get to the next 'overnight' town as soon as possible because
of the heat. My philosophy has always been - WHY? You have all day
to go 50 - 85 miles, there are wonderful people, farms, towns, rivers
and lakes along the route to enjoy. The party in the next overnight
town generally doesn't start until around 5-6 pm. Their philosophy to
me is "hurry up and wait" and mine is "start out at 6am in the morning
and taper...".
There are several other notes in this conference where several of
us have talked about previous RAGBRAI's. Do a search on the word
"RAGBRAI" and you'll find them.
You've got to experience it. You can obtain an application from the
Des Moine register in January, use the address in -.0.
|
| 1017.10 | Seems typical for the mid-west | NAC::KLASMAN | | Wed Aug 09 1989 13:21 | 17 |
| < Note 1017.8 by BALMER::MUDGETT "did you say FREE food?" >
-< questions about RAGBRAI >-
> The local towns are said to compete to have the ride go through
> their town.
> It was said that the community groups sold dinners to the riders
> in each town.
This kind of community involvement seems typical for the Mid-West. The small
town of Carpon Il (pop. 700) provides round-the-clock (for 2.5 days) support
for the ultra-marathon riders during Ultra-Week (a 600 mile RAAM qualifier,
24-hr TT, double-C, etc). Its quite an experience.
Imagine that kind of support here in New England...
Kevin
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