The race started this year in Sioux Center, IA and it was very fun for me to see the campus of my alma mater Dordt College taken over by riders from all over the country! It was a very festive environment, with tons of people and bikes walking/rolling the rows of vendors of bike equipment and local businesses! We enjoyed the expo Saturday afternoon and then 'carbbed' up on Pizza Ranch Pizza! You can start the ride at anytime you choose, we chose along with many to start at early and try to beat some of the lovely, summer heat. I was very excited to share this experience with my while family, I think Mom got her Christmas card picture :) We yelled 'biker on' (as that is what you do when you enter the sea of bikers) at about 6:30 am. Learning the biking etiquette was part of the experience, basic communication was key as you are riding very close to lots of bikes!
While the distractions of slip n slides and eggs on a stick were effective the last 15 miles will brutal. The heat and the hills started to take the toll and Cherokee was a more than a welcomed sight! While it may be a goal in the future to do the full 7 day ride, I am happy with my 1 day accomplishment and another check mark off my list.
Here is a link to some pictures from the RAGBRAI website if you're interested. It was a beautiful ride between the fields of corn and beans!!
DONE!!!
I was debating on riding this for the race, might have taken twice as long, but much less exhausting!
