RAGBRAI (the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa) is the largest bike-touring event in the world and is celebrating 50 years in 2023. However, as a Michigan native, I like to let my friends know that Michigan’s DALMAC (Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinaw) is celebrating 52 years in 2023. That makes it older than RAGBRAI, but typically only 4-5 days long and with not nearly as many riders.
I rode nine DALMAC rides over the years; about 325 miles in four days. My RAGBRAI goal this year is to cycle about 475 miles in seven days. The route is 500 miles; however, I am taking 25 miles off on day five. There are two back-to-back 80+ mile days and I am not sure my left hand/wrist will survive two such days in a row. I went to my last orthopedic appointment and was told my left hand will “never be the same” since the wrist break last year. How much I bicycle now will only be limited on how much strain (and potential pain) I can tolerate.
In the past RAGBRAI limited official riders had to be limited to 8500, however this year many more thousands will be in attendance. I am very apprehensive about the ride with so many cyclists.
It is under one week until the bike riding starts on July 23rd. I will be driving my car with two Florida friends Linda and Fred. When we were on Bike Florida Safari, before I had to leave due to my cracked bike frame, we calculated we could fit all our bags and one bike inside my vehicle with two bikes on my bike rack. We left very early this Wednesday morning (5:40am) July 19th and drove about 800 miles. We met up with Ray (from Georgia). Tomorrow we will drive about 400 miles and be within a few miles to Davenport on Friday morning.
Once in Davenport, we will load our bikes onto a bicycle transport truck and our two bags each into the storage compartment of a motor coach. At about 1:00 pm on Friday, we will ride the bus about 5-6 hours to get to Sioux city, Iowa which is the start of the RAGBRAI ride. On Saturday, as riders continue to arrive by motor coach, shuttle rides from the airport, or personal vehicle, there will be an Expo where cyclists can check out vendors with the latest in bike gear and accessories.
In addition to Linda, Fred, and Ray, who all rode across the country (C2C) when I did in 2018, more of our C2C friends will be joining in the fun using the same charter (Pork Belly Ventures), including: Sue, Janet, Ellen, and Gayle. Also, from C2C are Joe (with a different charter) and Jane (with another group of friends).
I finished packing and crossed my fingers that I haven’t forgotten anything: bike shoes, water bottles, front/rear lights, helmet, biking gloves, snacks for the bike, sleeping bag/pad, raingear, too many charging cords…
The car loaded up, as seen from inside the car, with six duffel bags, one bike on the inside and two bikes on my bike rack.
After more than 14 hours in the car today, met up with Ray in Paducah, KY. Enjoyed dinner at Applebee’s.
Saw this Mercedes Maybach in the parking lot of the Applebee’s. A $300K car at an Applebee’s…hmmm