RAGBRAI

It was a very fun trip. I'm so glad we did it. 10,000+ bikers. The state patrol did a great job controlling the roads. People were very friendly and happy to have RAGBRAI in their town. It won't be an every year thing but I can definitely see doing a couple days or maybe the entire route every 5 years. Here's what I remember:

Friday
Finished up my last day at Medtronic. Packed up the 4Runner and met Grandma Julie and Grandpa Bob in Preston to drop off Lilly for a week with them. Met Dave and Bill of Overland Touring in Lanesboro, packed up the bikes, ate desert and stayed at Carol and Tim's "off the grid" cabin. What a cool place.

Saturday
Met the group early and drove (2 15-passenger vans + 2 cargo trailers) to Council Bluffs. Council Bluffs were holding their Ribfest in conjunction with the RAGBRAI opening celebration, bike expo and Bare Naked Ladies concert! Paul Sarver was in the states (from his assignment in Iraq) and was able to make it to the concert!!!


RAGBRAI


Holly and Carol


BNL

Sunday
Saturday was a little rough. Train noise and I had to get out of the tent a few times.

Holy crazy bikers Batman. 10,000 registered riders + a estimated 10,000 additional one-day riders from Omaha/Council Bluffs.


Here we go

Sunday night's camp was about 3 miles out of Red Oak. Very peaceful and great hosts. Paul was back again!

Monday


I think there is beer here

Monday's camp was Greenfield. First time eating Ham Balls. Maybe the last.

Tuesday

Tuesday night's camp was in Indianola. Our host Jeremy is a balloonist and took Bill up for a ride over the town. We met our friends Tom and Teresa from Altoona and went to the square for food, beers and the Johnny Holm band. Madonna even made it. What a fun evening!


Good times


Shhhh...

Wednesday

Wednesday's overnight was in Chariton. I saw Jason Beneke (good friend from high school) at a church dinner. We both knew we were doing RAGBRAI but both spaced trying to get cell phone numbers before the trip. I was hoping the whole time I'd run into him and I did.

I went down to the town square and talked with Jason and his sister Melissa for a couple hours. Catching up with them was a big highlight for me.

Thursday

Thursday's overnight was at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Ottumwa. What great hosts. Showers and treats. We were almost carried into the woods by 30 raccoons.

Friday

Friday was RAGBRAI to me. We rode well and fast as a group until lunchtime (about 20 miles from home). I met up with Jason and rode with him for a while and then met the rest of my group at a park/beer garden in the town before Mount Pleasant. We had a few beers and finished the ride feeling good. Living the dream.

Earlier in the day when we were riding well as a group a couple fit cyclists came up behind our line of bikes. Neil and Belinda were riding the tandem strong at the front. One of the guys says to the other, "Now watch out. On hills tandems usually slow down a lot." After cresting the hill still flying he says, "Ok. Maybe not this tandem."

Friday night in Mount Pleasant was interesting as there were storms threatening and a dude named Tom who was, "70% drunk".

Saturday

Saturday was a great ride down to the river in Burlington. What a great ride to cap off an incredible week.


The Mississippi