RAGBRAI, Give It a Try!

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ragbrai bike“Fresh squeezed lemonade! Fresh squeezed lemonade!” I can vividly remember my seven-year-old self hollering those words on top of our neighbor’s barn as thousands of RAGBRAI riders rolled down old Highway 20.

It was the most action our tiny town had seen in a long time and my entrepreneurial-minded parents set up a lemonade stand. People from all over the country were hanging out on the lawn, sipping lemonade and enjoying my mom’s homemade cookies.

RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) didn’t touch my life again until my 20s. My husband and I did a day on borrowed bikes with my father-in-law’s team and I thought they were all nuts. Then, I woke up the next day and wanted to do it again. The biking bug bit us and we bought our own bikes a month later.

RAGBRAI is all about the people

This “only-in-Iowa” tradition has a place in my life story as it does with anyone who has ever braved a day. It really does sound insane to bike across a state full of corn with thousands of other people.

But, RAGBRAI isn’t about biking. It’s about what happens when the wheels stop and people from all over the world gather on a century farm to buy lemonade. Iowa has a way of bringing people together.

Two women in front of a "Britt" Sign
I convinced my friend, Kate (@wanderanddwell) to try a day with me – and she said yes! We had an awesome time riding and catching up with each other. And when you go through Britt, you take a picture by the sign!

I’ve never ridden the full route but it’s on my bucket list. Until then, I try to sneak in a day or two when I can and convince people they should come with me. Lucky for you, the route comes close to Des Moines this year and it might be time you give it a try.

Here’s a list of first-timer tips to get you going!

  • Support – Pick a town to start and a town to end. Find someone to drive you. Dads, grandpas and uncles always seem to enjoy traveling Iowa’s back roads! But, don’t drive on the route.
  • The Road Lingo – RAGBRAI has its own set of vocabulary. You’ll hear riders yell the phrases below to help keep everyone safe.
    • “Car up!” Even though the route is fairly quiet, there are times when a car is driving toward you.
    • “Car back!” A vehicle is coming up behind you.
    • “Rumbles!” Speed bumps are coming up.
    • “Slowing!” The riders in front of you are slowing down.
    • “Bike off!” A biker is pulling off to the side of the road.
    • “Bike on!” A bike is entering back on to the road.
  • The RAGBRAI Wallet – Take a Ziploc bag and put cash, a card, your ID and your phone in it. Seal it up and put it in your bike jersey pocket or your bike bag. No sweat or water will get to your stuff.
  • Attire – Padded shorts. I don’t care what else you wear but wear padded shorts are a must.
  • Other Stuff to Bring – Sunscreen, chapstick, water bottle and, if you know how to change a flat, the gear to do that.

Do I take my kids?

Absolutely not. My kids are seven and four. I can’t physically pull them 40 to 60 miles, it’s hot, and they wouldn’t have a good time. RAGBRAI is something I love doing because it’s my time with family and friends. Selfishly, my kids would be so whiney that I wouldn’t have fun! When they’re old enough to handle 40 miles on their own and are fairly experienced riders, they can go.

Give it a try!

Find all the official RAGBRAI information here and get ready to roll out!

If you ride, what are your best first-timer tips?

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