RAGBRAI elevation

[betagirl]

Ok, so this year's RAGBRAI is the 4th most climb and 6th most difficult ride overall in the past 34 years of its history. The first day is 10 miles of flat, then 35 miles of hills as we enter the Loess Hills of Iowa. That part of the ride, while painful, looks like it's going to be really pretty:

http://www.reflectiveimages.com/Brok...Grasslands.htm

Total of 17,325 feet of climb for the week, with distance*climb at 7699230. I realize that for those who live in the mountains, this would be relatively easy. But my training ground is Chicago, where my biggest hills are overpasses
Who says Iowa is flat?

http://www.geobike.com/geobike/profi...P=1977:2:2:2:2

Hopefully we're spared the headwinds and heat that usually go along with the ride. Though we've been relatively lucky with cooler weather most of the days the last 4 years. Wind? Not so much luck there.

Anyone else subjecting themselves to this fun!?

[KnottedYet]

My boss the bike goddess will be there. Her group always has plastic "Zippy the Pinhead" clowns on their handlebars.

Someday I'd like to do a bunch of the multi-day rides. I loooooved the one (and only) I've done so far.

[Nanci]

Have a great time! At least you won't be at work!!

[Pax]

We have a friend back in IL who's doing it for the third time, if we were still home we were going to help sag her group. As it is I'll have to check here for updates.

[annie]

Beta,

I'll be there eventually. Riding out from home (Dubuque), starting on July 21, with three other women. We'll be self-supported all the way. We won't actually hook up with RAGBRAI until Monday evening, or maybe sometime during the day on Tuesday, depending on our daily mileage on the way out. We are planning on 100+ mile days, Friday and Saturday, but one never knows. If the winds are really bad, that will slow us down. If storms come up, we'll probably try and wait them out. We're pretty flexible in scheduling, actually. And since we're hauling our own gear, which will weigh at least 50 lbs., we won't be moving any too fast. They will be long days in the saddle. But fun! We each ride our own pace and re-group often. We enjoy each other's company and riding out like that let's us have that time together before we hit the huge chaotic crowds of RAGBRAI. It is a very enjoyable time. This will be my third year doing it this way.

I know it's almost impossible to find someone you don't even know on RAGBRAI, but if you happen to see a small group of women, three with BOB's and one with panniers, it could be us! Come and say hi. We tend to ride later in the day, since we have no set time that we HAVE to have our stuff packed on a truck or bus. That way we avoid the huge crowds of cyclists on the road, too. Much more peaceful towards the back. If I see anyone on your team, I'll ask if you are around. Who knows..........

annie

[Sparky]

My husband I are going. This will be my fifth year. The second year I did it is shown on the website as the 2nd hilliest ever. I learned alot that year. I am hoping to survive again. Husband's first year of riding a bike, he is worried about the hills. We have the same training problem here in our area of IN overpasses look out.

We have inspiration this year with Lance riding. Maybe he'll let us draft on the hills. ha ha ha

[e1b2]

I moved away from Iowa 4 yrs ago, and am homesick most for my friends, but RAGBRAI is a close second! Next year for sure. Keep an eye out for Lance....he's riding 2 days, correct?

[oph4887]

There are no hill/mountains here-flatter than a pancake. I've been reading up on the message boards regarding the climbs, a little tense at this point.
But I've done just about all the training I can up to this point. One more 60 mile ride Saturday and then I'm going into taper mode.
My group is the Memphis Wheels, leaving from Memphis, going to Peoria to pick up 2 more guys and then we head to Muscatine.

I've been watching the weather forecast-last year was my first time, did I bring anything warm-of course not, nearly froze after that cold front came through and then who can forget the storm with 70 mph winds!

This is my second time, hoping for as much fun as the first.

Remember-It's just another day in paradise!

Geana

[cycling@42]

I just received my Lance Armstrong Foundation Advocacy Letter and it states that Lance is planning on participating in RAGBRAI this year. He didn't commit to what part of the ride he would be doing, but said he would be there!

[annie]

cycling42, here's a story straight from the DM Register. Lance will be there somewhere amongst all the thousands and thousands of people.

Lance Armstrong's visit set for July 26-28
JOHN CARLSON
DES MOINES REGISTER
Copyright 2006, Des Moines Register and Tribune Company

July 10, 2006


Lance Armstrong will spend three days in Iowa later this month, at least one of them riding on the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation in Austin, Tex., confirmed today that the seven-time Tour de France winner will ride all or part of the route from Newton to Marengo on July 27.

That means Armstrong, generally considered to be the world’s greatest athlete prior to his retirement from competitive cycling last year, will likely ride from Newton and through the towns of Reasnor, Sully, Lynnville, Searsboro, Montezuma, Brooklyn, Victor and Ladora before finishing the day in Marengo.

He also plans to make an appearance at what probably will be the week’s biggest event — a celebration in downtown Newton the evening of July 26. RAGBRAI director T.J. Juskiewicz said as many as 30,000 people could be expected to gather at Newton’s town square that night, where Armstrong will speak.

On July 28, the 34-year-old Armstrong, a cancer survivor, is scheduled to testify at a United States Senate field hearing in Iowa City on cancer research funding. The hearing will be conducted by Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin. Armstrong’s foundation is dedicated to making the fight against cancer a national priority and to encourage increased federal funding for cancer research.

Armstrong also is scheduled to appear at an afternoon RAGBRAI event in Coralville on July 28.

Read more about Armstrong's visit to Iowa in Tuesday's Des Moines Register and on DesMoinesRegister.com.

[annie]

For those of you riding RAGBRAI - Thursday, the day that Lance will be riding, The Des Moines Register is asking everyone to wear yellow. It will be a sea of yellow, riding from Newton to Marengo. An awesome and inspiring sight!

*******************************

I didn't have anything in yellow that I like to bike in......... so, I dyed a white top yellow...... It turned out orange. So now it's soaking in a water/bleach solution, in an attempt to lighten the color. With twists and rubber bands. If it turns out, it'll be a tie-dye orange/yellow. :::::shrug::::: If not, I'll wear it anyway. It's the yellowest biking top I have.

annie

[annie]

Just want to say "bye" to all. I'm heading out the door on my bike in about an hour, BOB fully loaded. RAGBRAI, here we come.
Take care, all. I can't imagine how many posts I'll have to catch up on when I get back. Could be well nigh impossible!

annie

[Lise]

looking forward to the ride reports!