NOW I'm nervous

[divingbiker]

Well, you are in for an experience! I did two days of RAGBRAI in 2005, and it was great fun. Even though there are thousands of people riding, they spread out so it's like taking a ride by yourself, except you're never out of sight of other riders.

Every town (usually 10-15 miles apart, sometimes even closer) rolls out the red carpet for RAGBRAI, and expects you to stop. It kind of drove me nuts, since I'd get warmed up and we'd ride for 45 minutes or an hour and then spend 30 minutes looking at a museum, drinking a slushy, eating pasta or a pork chop or pie, etc. There are some folks who stop in a bar in every town they ride through. Others take naps in the parks along the way. Lots of characters with hats, outfits, music, etc. Every town has porta potties and water stations set up to refill your water bottle. As far as the length of the ride goes, just think of it as a bunch of mini-rides strung together on the same day.

As far as what to bring, you don't need much. Just your usual bike stuff you'd take on any ride, and some money and sunscreen and maybe some powdered Gatorade if that's what you drink. Unless you have any special dietary needs, you really don't need to bring any food since you can buy food in any town, or at the food vendors set up on the side of the road. The friends I rode with didn't bring anything with them except money and a water bottle. (I brought a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches the first day since I'm a vegan and was worried there wouldn't be food, but I forgot to pack them on the second day and had some delicious pasta from the Pastafarian vendor instead. I also brought a couple of luna bars each day.)

You'll have a great time, and will be much more refreshed than all those folks who are sleeping in tents!

[SJCzar]

As someone who has ridden a 50 miler with you, I can say that you are totally ready.

As others have said, you'll have plenty of chances to get off the bike and eat and rest up a bit. I have spoken with many people who have done RAGBRAI and all have had a great time. Most of them were recreational riders who didn't regularly do that many miles in a day but were so busy having fun that the miles flew by.

Of course a few "Betties" group rides before couldn't hurt your training any.

[MomOnBike]

The thing you really must do is look for me and DH and slow down and say hi as you are passing us. We'll be fairly easy to spot, a couple on matching blue recumbents. Other than that, I have no advice, as this year is my first.

I have no idea what to expect on RAGBRAI, but I'm taking along my senses of humor and adventure. I'll be looking for you.