Hey BetaGirl,

Wow, 10,000 riders and some years it fills up! Amazing. The first time I heard about the RAGRAI was in this forum. Then my sister mentioned it. It sounds like one big happy partying caravan. Cycling across the state of Iowa and stopping at the end of each day only to enjoy great food and fun! Hubby would love the beer gardens! It sounds like belonging to a team is the way to go too. It must get mighty hot in July on the plains of Iowa. I guess besides building up distance, your sit bones, and hands, you have to build up your tolerance to heat too.

I know I will not be doing it this year, but maybe next year. Hubby has NO interest at all. He said if I want to do it with my sister he would sag us! Of course my sister already lives in the state. But I would have to get my bike and me to Iowa from the Seattle area. The good side, after the ride I can recuperate at my sister’s place in Burlington!

I think my sister and I need to decide if we seriously are going to do it and then start training. I’m not worried about myself. I’ve done multi day and double century rides. I know how to train for them. It’s my sister I am concerned about. She is very new to cycling. But she is the one who keeps bringing up the RAGBRAI. If I lived close by I would help her train for the ride. But I am here in Washington state and she is in Iowa and has no one right now. That’s why I’m hoping she checks out some bike clubs in her area and even check with the local bike shops too. They may be able to hook her up with a club and/or riders. When does the lottery open for next year’s ride?

I hope you take a lot of pictures during this year's RAGRAI BetaGirl! I would love to see them! I think everyone in here would love to see them!

I bet you're getting excited. I noticed the count down on the RADGRAI home page!

81 days, 23 hours, 29 minutes, and 47 seconds left until RAGBRAI XXXIV!

Sue