Conference noted::bicycle

    		Gluttons for rejection are we now?
    
    	I think this year I'm going to try talking to the Des Moines
    	cycle club. Perhaps becoming a member even. I'm not sure yet.
    
    	What's the month for sending applications this year?  March?
    
    	Is it worth the annual heartbreak?  I guess so...

    RAGBRAI '91 .... hopefully for the 6th year in a row.  The route and
    application will be printed in the Register on the first Sunday in
    March .. always has been...always will be.

    I just got the RAGBRAI '90 video and its great.  Its gotten my
    girlfriend and I excited and thinking about this summer.  She's never
    ridden more than 17 miles but I'm going to help her get that mileage
    up.


    michael
    from-one-who-has-been-rejected-2-out-of-5-years-but-has-still-gone-legally

    
    

    	Wow!
    
    	I cannot believe the baggage fees this year! Wowzers!!!!!!!!!!
    
    	$70 !!!!  $60 without the souvenir pack.
    
    	What is going on ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
    
    	It was only $40 last year !!!!!
    
    	Oh well...   I just received my information packet in the mail
    	yesterday. It's almost time to mail in the baggage-tag requests.
    	I believe the start date for sending the forms is February 24.
    
    	The first day of spring is only a month away...

    re: .3
    
    I'm sure that all this info has been listed someplace else but can you
    give me the address so I can send for the package or do I just
    register.
    
    Eric

    Try looking at note 1402.

    When is it this year (minor detail...)
    
    Eric

    
    		RAGBRAI XIX  July 21-27, 1991
    		-----------
    		PO Box 622
    		Des Moines, IA 50303
    
    	Route will be announced March 1, and will go west to east across
    	the state, from the Missouri river to the Mississippi.
    
    	Total riding distance will be about 500 miles.
    
    	You must write to the above address to obtain application forms.
    	Note:	If you include a SASE, you'll get your info MUCH quicker.
    		I received mine in 9 days flat...
    
    	Send applications after February 24, 1991.
    
    	All applications must be postmarked no later than April 1, 1991.
    
    	"They" plan to complete the drawing by May 1, 1991.

    Here is what everyone has been waiting for -- THE (hilly) ROUTE!

    Sunday    - Missouri Valley to Atlantic  (63 miles)
                Beebeetown
                Underwood
		Hancock

    Monday    - Atlantic  to Winterset       (72 miles)
                Wiota
		Anita
		Adair
		Casey
		Menlo
		Stuart
		Dexter
		Earlham

    Tuesday   - Winterset to Knoxville       (68 miles)
                St. Charles
		St. Marys
		New Virgina
		Lacona
		
    Wednesday - Knoxville to Grinnell        (50 miles)
		Pella
		Galesburg
		Killduff
		Oakland Acres
		
    Thursday  - Grinnell  to Amana           (51 miles)
                Brooklyn
		Victor
		Ladora
		Marengo
		Amana Colonies
		
    Friday    - Amana     to Anamosa         (63 miles)
		Shueyville
		Solon
		Lisbon
		Springville
		Viola
		
    Saturday  - Anamosa   to Bellevue        (63 miles)
		Amber
		Scotch Grove
		Canton
		Andrew
		Springbrook
		Bellevue
    ===================================================
                                  Total      430 miles

    	What about the optional "century" day?
    
    	Do they indicate which day will offer the century-loop?
    
    	T'anks...

The article from the Register that posted the route didn't say anything
about the century loop.  I'm going to go out on a limb a guess that they
won't have one this year.  If they do, then Monday is the longest day
so adding a 28 mile loop somewhere shouldn't really be that difficult.
This route is mega rolling hills!  No, I'm not from Iowa but I've ridden
much of this route on previous RAGBRAI's and know from experience.
The first day ought to be loads of fun!  We went through this area in
'89 and '86.  I guess the hill work I'll do here in Colorado will help.

In '89 I thought that was the most hills I had ever done.  I was more
wiped out than had I ridden one of the 1200' passes here in Colorado
(which I have done several times).  The ups and downs are fun but constant
work.

    It's that time again folks....Please indicate if you got into RAGBRAI!
    You may not have had formal notification yet but you might be able
    to tell by looking at your most recent bank statement.  My check
    is cashed which means I'M IN!!!!!! 6 years and still going strong.

    Let me warn anyone who may get rejected that there ARE other ways
    of getting in.  First of all there IS a waiting list, contact
    the DesMoines Register and get on it.  Another way would be if
    you had already contacted a charter group or bike club and see if
    they can assist you in acquiring a wristband.

    Good luck

    	I just received my care package in the mail yesterday...
    
    	My numbers are in the mid-600's, I guess I got lucky, as
    	this is the first year I have EVER won in this lottery.
    
    	Get this, they left out one of my wristbands!!!
    
    	I paid for two, but they only sent one, sheesh...
    	Now I'll have to write a letter back, requesting they send
    	my other wristband! There is no phone number included with
    	documentation (I imagine there's good reason for it),  but
    	I have virtually no way to deal with the persons in charge,
    	except via U.S. mail.
    
    	I hope they're cooperative, they've already cashed my check!
    
    						Regards, Face

    Why not try the Des Moines Register  515-284-8000.

    	T'anks...	I did try 'em...
    
    	I had to call twice, as I was placed on hold the first time,
    	whilst I was paying long distance toll charges from Boston...
    
    	On the second call, the receptionist gave me the extension for
    	all RAGBRAI concerns, 515-284-8282, and finally, I was talking
    	to a real live human. Seems as though there were two people in
    	charge of stuffing the envelopes this year,  and I was NOT the
    	only one who was short-banded. They were very understanding, &
    	promised they would send another wristband to me immediately.
    
    	**** Now, comes a shocking offer for anyone interested. ****
    
    	I might not be able to find a replacement to take this second
    	wristband & baggage tag. The original taker has cancelled...
    	Would there be anyone wishing to purchase, at cost, this wrist-
    	band and baggage tag? They are both entirely valid...
    
    	If anyone else is rejected by the lottery, there is an extra
    	possibility here, if anyone wants it...

    MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED...!
    
    Yes, I'll definitely buy them from you.  This is the opportunity I've
    been waiting for.
    
    I'm actually an Iowan and have been wanting to do this trip to get
    "back in touch" with Iowa again.  I've been living in Sydney, Australia
    for seven years now.  I come from just outside of Ames.
    
    I always come back to Iowa in July or August each year and this will
    give me something interesting to do.
    
    If you can post your phone number and/or address I will get in touch
    with you and get a cheque to you immediately.  Actually, I will have my
    sister, who lives in Ames Iowa, send you a cheque.  You can send the
    wristband and baggage tag, along with any other information you think I
    might need, to her there.
    
    If you are on the Digital mail network, you can send me mail at either:
    
    For ALL-IN-1:	Robert Lincoln @SNO
    VAXmail:		LINCOLNR::SNOV17
    
    Many thanks from Australia,
    Rob
    

    	re - .1
    
    	As with many public-access concerns, I am most unwilling to
    	publish any personal data so readily. This is one crazed world
    	we live in these days. Not that bikers aren't reputable, mind
    	you; urban living does place a person on the defensive.
    
    	In fact, I've already received more than one request for an
    	extra set of tags. Hmmm, what to do...
    
    	I am unable to decide upon the fate of these tags, and it would
    	be in such poor taste to auction these tags to the highest bidder.
    
    	Guess I'll have to hold a lottery of my own...
    
    	Is there any other way to handle this?

    Hi again.  I have sent mail to you at UBRKIT::CLELAND giving you
    all the details on how to contact me.  I assure you that I am 
    just an ex-farmer from Iowa and am completely harmless!
    
    Regards,
    Rob
    

	DES MOINES CYCLE CLUB
	J.X. Lennie, Ragbrai Chairperson DMCC
	413 SE 4th, Ankeny, IA 50021
	Tel. # 515-964-3458

	RAGBRAI XIX - Charter bus information

	Cost:
	$85.00 per individual. This includes transportation for you, your
	bicycle and luggage, from Des Moines to Missouri valley, and from
	Bellevue back to Des Moines.  Your luggage will be transported to
	each overnight town.  A Des Moines cycle club/ragbrai XIX t-shirt
	may be purchased @ $7.00 per.   Non-refundable after June 1, 1991.

	Departure:
	The charter buses will leave for Missouri valley on July 20th, at
	10:30 am.  The buses will load up at the K-mart store parking lot,
	located at - 5049 NE 14th Street. This location is about 1/4 mile
	north of I-80 and the NE 14th intersection.  Some parking will be
	available at the K-mart for individuals driving to Des Moines.

	Airport transport:
	Call Best Western/Park Inn to confirm your reservation, & request
	transportation to the motel.  They will provide free transport to
	the motel. There may be a small fee to transport your bike to the
	motel. Important:  You MUST contact the motel for approval to use
	the free limo service. Transport from the airport to the motel is
	available only to cyclists staying overnight at the motels listed.

	Lodging:
	Best Western Star Light Inn		Park Inn
	929 3rd Street, Des Moines		1050 6th Ave, Des Moines
	Ph. # 515-282-5251			Ph. # 515-283-0151
	Reserv. # 800-528-1234			-None-
	Rate - $43.00				Rate - $50.00

	Rates apply if you notify the reservationist that you are with
	the Des Moines cycle club. Maximum 4 persons/room.

	Transport from motel to departure site:
	A charter bus & truck will be at the Best Western motel @8:00 am;
	Park Inn @8:30 am.  We expect your bicycle to be boxed and ready
	to transport.  Your bike will be transported  to Missouri valley
	on an enclosed Penske truck.  A charter bus will transport you &
	your luggage to our departure location.  The distance is about 5
	miles. The K-mart opens at 9:30 am.

	Assault on Missouri valley:
	We plan to arrive in the valley by 1:30 pm. This will allow time
	to setup camp, eat, etc. Expect between 8,000-10,000 cyclists at
	the campsite.

	Return from Bellevue:
	We plan to leave Bellevue by 4:30 pm and arrive in Des Moines by
	8:00 pm. Transportation will be provided to the Best Western, or
	Park Inn motel, for individuals staying overnight in Des Moines.

	Luggage:
	Your purchased  t-shirts and luggage tags will be distributed by
	your charter bus babes, when you board your assigned charter bus.
	(Limit - two bags)

	Thoughts:
	Plan to arrive in Des Moines on friday, July 19th if you will be
	flying. Scheduling your arrival on saturday morning, & trying to
	obtain transport to our departure site is not recommended. We'll
	not delay scheduled departure time (10:30 am) for late arrivals.

	Be on time, it's a long bike ride to Missouri valley...

	That's right folks, you do not need official Register tags to
	ride in this one, Jim Lennie and co. will take y'all along!

    Where in the world did you get the info on the Des Moines Cycle Club?
    The Register would never give this type of information out..like
    "that's right you don't need wrist bands".

    Just wondering

    	Technically, you're correct.
    
    	But as you've probably noticed while on the ride, not everyone
    	out there is wearing a valid ragbrai wristband.
    
    	Here's what the Des Moines Register said in their return reply:
    
    	"Enclosed is an orange wristband for each member of your group.
    	It MUST be worn during the ride. Do not put it on until the ride.
    	It cannot be removed without cutting, or destroying the clasp.
    	It gives you access to emergency medical services, shuttle buses,
    	sag wagons, campground facilities, showers, etc. ( most overnight
    	communities have a small charge for showers, swimming & shuttles.)
    	Without the wristband, you can expect to pay a surcharge for meals
    	and other services."
    
    	There are a myriad of bike clubs attending this thing, nineteen
    	of which are actually listed under, "charter bus service".
    	There is a disclaimer, "Charters do not include ragbrai fees and
    	passes. You must obtain those on your own and will not be permitted
    	on buses without them."
    
    	When I spoke with Jim Lennie in Ankeny, he said would help anyone
    	wishing to attend find ragbrai passes. There are many who cancel,
    	so a club such as theirs has a small "network" to draw upon.
    
    	The Register is trying to limit the number of riders each year,
    	hence the rapid increase in baggage fees. To be honest, the
    	Register hands out 7,500 baggage tags, but there certainly are
    	more attending than that. The bike clubs offer an alternative.
    
    						Regards...

    Yep, I knew about these clubs.  I've always said that if one really
    wanted it, just contact a Des Moines bicycle club.  I just never
    looked into it because I've always been with a charter group - BICYCLE
    CHARTERS - who will also look for wristbands for you.

    The Register says it only hands out 7500 but they had out more.  The
    last couple of years they have been numbered and a friend of mine
    had one numbered of 8000.

    We had a group several years ago (26 of us) called Team Hemmoriders
    will we will be back again this year (only 8 people).  Look for
    our t-shirts.  We are friends with Team Tacky from Iowa.  Several of
    our past members are members of both teams.

    Re: .14 & .16
    
    Patrick,
    
    Can you let us know if you have sold the RAGBRAI wriststrap/baggage
    tag yet?  I can probably secure one from another source but want to
    make sure that you aren't left holding an extra if you still haven't
    managed to sell it.  
    
    I need to make airline reservations in the next few days so a prompt
    response would be appreciated.  Please send me mail or respond here so
    that I can make final plans.  I hope to see you and the others there if
    it works out.
    
    -Rob
    

    	Well, the winner was, Jim Lennie, believe it or not.
    
    	I threw the Des moines cycle club in for good measure, and
    	(ironically) they were the ultimate winner. But...
    
    	Here's the deal, I have not yet committed the extra wristband to
    	anyone in the Des Moines cycle club. (I ain't told Jim yet)
    
    	My offer is,  if you are willing to ride/camp with the 300 or so
    	cyclists riding with the DMCC, I'd be willing to "tighten you up"
    	wit' a tag.  You (or someone) will need to contact Jim Lennie in
    	Ankeny, Iowa* for an application (formality) to ride along.
    	* The number is in a previous reply...
    
    	As for air travel, you should contact American Airlines, as they
    	are running a "meeting saver fare" this year. You should be able
    	to book more then 30 days in advance,  AND receive an additional
    	5% off this super saver fare.  You will need to call the meeting
    	services desk toll free (from anywhere in U.S. or Canada) 7 days
    	a week from 7 am to 12 midnight U.S. central time.
    
    	Call 1-800-433-1790, ask for STAR files # SO171LL, and they will
    	make your reservations for you,  (even mail your tickets for you,
    	at no charge if you use a valid credit card) no need to speak to
    	a travel agent.
    
    	Is the DMCC a good choice for you?   Reply via vaxmail, I'll try
    	to respond monday evening. If yes, call Jim Lennie THIS weekend!
    
    	Good luck...						Face

    It's a week from this Friday................
    Everyone set???????????????????
    Missouri Valley here we come!!!!!!!!

    	I did fifty miles on monday, north of Boston.
    
    	Training on these New England roads never ceases to amaze me.
    
    	I've been yelled at, aimed at, grazed (yes grazed), forced off
    	the road as there "ain't be" much shoulder around these parts.
    
    	Route 2A is amazing to ride these days, heading past Hanscom
    	Air Force Base (saw the Thunderbirds this past weekend) heading
    	towards Carlisle Mass., EXCEPT when people throw s*** at you.
    	Probably just a local goon squad, no biggie, but those big rigs
    	are just TOO darn awnry to be passing by a biker with less than
    	3 feet between you and a "pancake machine". Those suckers "be"
    	goin' better'n forty mph, NOT a pleasant biking experience.
    
    	Can't wait to fly out of Logan on the 19th. I understand there
    	"be" quite a few people from Mass (non-dec) attending this year.

    [nothing to do with RAGBRAI, but...]
    So what do you expect training on 2A?  Why don't you get a couple of
    1:25,000 topo maps and discover some back roads to train on?  I also
    rode 50 miles to the airshow Saturday, but stayed on backroads, and 
    had a very nice ride.  -kb

    My girlfriend and I rode 60+ Sunday east of Colorado Springs.  It is
    relatively flat with a few rolling hills.  Problem...WIND!  It took
    us about 4 hours to ride to a little town 30 miles east of here and
    took us only 1:45 to get back!  If you are ever here in CS for class
    or anything this hwy is great.  For about 70 miles east of here there
    is about a 6 foot margin.  There is a new 18 mile trail north of town
    for hiking or mountain biking too.

    As for the traffic, you won't see that in IOWA!  Your problem will be
    running into other cyclists the first day.

    

    	Re .26
    
    	Actually, Rt. 2A separates the pups from the pitbulls, PAL...
    
    	There are a myriad of roads to discover in the surrounding areas,
    	I know, most of which are breathtaking in view. I've tagged along
    	with a few folks on weekends, and we've simply followed the road
    	markers left by previous clubs (green circles, yellow arrows, etc).
    
    	But since I'm a brainless simpleton, I continue to seek out roads
    	that make wearing a helmet seem useless in retrospect (what he said).
    
    	"Brazen city fool with a license to bleed", I know, sounds stupid.
    
    	T'anks fer 'da sugjessjun, dough...
    
    	Hopefully I'll grow some hair on my left arm again by the time I
    	"git" to Iowa... (Red Ford pickup shaved me arm two weeks ago)
    
    	If I wasn't dishing up sand with my front wheel, I WOULD have
    	memorized the s***head's license plate number...
    
    	Ohhhhhhh, Ragbrai, right, sorry, I drifted fer a moment...

    	What a scene...
    	We created one everywhere we went...
    
    	I think Iowa likes this sort of thing...
    	The negatives cannot possibly outweigh the benefits derived from
    	more than 8,000 humans rolling their commerce into each town.
    
    	One pays close attention to survival after riding in Ragbrai.
    	The numbers of people falling off their mounts seemed a bit
    	excessive, at least when listening to the sqwauk box for a day.
    
    	There seemed to have been more ambulances present this year.
    	Especially at the top of those mongolian sized hills.
    
    	Those who pedaled this year know, "Iowa ain't flat".

    What's a Mongolian sized hill?
    
    ed

    	A bunch of the folks from Boston, riding with the Des Moines cycle
    	club, sort of invented this term.
    
    	Iowa is definitely not flat, yet it seems to have this reputation
    	for being flat. This year was a little shorter than others, only
    	432 miles across, due to the large number of hills encountered.
    	The hills in Iowa can be relentless. Nothing compared to a mountain
    	surely, but they can be very long. Ceaseless, determined, almost
    	insurmountable (words that come to mind after downing drafts at a
    	local pub/bar), hence the assimilation to the mongol horde.
    	Dumb, yes, but Ragbrai is sort of an excuse to enjoy yourself,
    	down a few (hundred) drafts, and make up dumb expressions.
    
    	The hills on the very first day were truly relentless, as one
    	individual suffered some sort of serious coronary trouble.
    	I'm sorry I don't know his name, but he didn't make it. Rip.
    	Probably explains the excessive number of ambulances present for
    	the remainder of the ride. They seemed to be perched at the top
    	of the bigger hills, I guess to try and minimize their response
    	time for any cardiac emergencies.
    
    	Note:	The Register had an excess # of baggage tags available this
    		year, Jim Lennie with the DMCC actually was selling tags
    		back to the Register the week before the ride.
    		There was a large a percentage of riders who were not
    		wearing their wristbands this year. And I noticed not ONE
    		vendor anywhere along the ride, that offered any sort of
    		discount for anyone wearing a wristband. As far as I could
    		tell, there really were no distinctions made between folks
    		wearing wristbands, and those that were not. As someone
    		visiting from out-of-state, I would much rather have the
    		wristband, to show that I indeed paid the fee.

    The number of riders not wearing wristbands is generally around
    1000 to 2000 depending on the day.  There are always those who crash
    the party.  Most though are only local riders who ride for a day or
    two.  There are those who ride the entire ride and have their own
    support vehicle.  As you probably noticed it would have been real
    easy to have your own support vehicle and camp just about anywhere.
    No one checks for legality!

    I'm not sure if I spoke with Jim Lennie or someone else with DMCC
    but they were told by the Register that they could not sell their
    excess tags and they had to sell them back to the Register.  I was
    told that this year there were a lot fewer people turned down in
    the lottery (around 5000).  Maybe one of the reasons was that it
    was billed as a hilly course AND the new high entry fee ($60). Just
    5 years ago it was only $25.

    I found out that this higher fee was really a gift from the State of
    Iowa.  They demanded that the Register pay sales tax on each of the
    entries (or bands) sold for the last 19 years! Geeze!

    The first 2 days were HOT and Humid but the rest of the week could not
    have been any nicer.

    Hope you guys had a good time, my fiance and I really did.

    Yeah, what did you think of New Virginia? Probably the best party town
    on the tour.

    	Well, I didn't make it again this year; I didn't make the initial 
    drawing, and then when I found out my high school reunion was being
    held on the 27th, I didn't really follow up any of the other ways to
    get in.
    
    	Guess it's time to start planning for next year, though.  Does
    anyone have a working phone number for a tour service in Iowa that
    goes?  I'd _really_ like to make RAGBRAI '92.

    There are several other notes in this conference on RAGBRAI.  I listed
    the charter group we ride with in one of them, BICYCLE CHARTERS.
    However, getting in on a charter group like this does not insure that
    you will get into RAGBRAI.  You might look at reply .18 about the Des
    Moines Cycling Club, this is as much a sure thing as I have ever seen. 
    They get a block of wristbands from the Register, if you join the club
    you are basically in.