Rode many times. In the evenings if you walk around residential areas and offer $5 for a shower, so many will welcome you into their home, provide everything (towels etc) and sometimes feed you. Iowa folks are friendly and love to hear the stories from the riders. What a great way to meet people too!
Awesome video, swift and to the point. I will be participating in this event in 2022 and your video is one of the reasons that cemented that decision. Thanks for your insight.
Great video and education. I have driven a support vehicle for 7+ years. Ragbri gives me a great appreciation for people and the fly over country we live in, Iowa. One day I will actually do Ragbri. Your words of encouragement have got me thinking ! Thank you!
This popped in my reccomended list! Its crazy to me because as an Iowan, I have always wanted to do RAGBRAI. Your video has inspired me to start training and build my stamina. Im going to do the ride next summer, I am in terrible shape so its going to be a hard year but so worth it!!
Hey motherofhounds, I have hounds,2. If you really want to do RAGBRAI, get out everyday, walk if you are or of shape. Your bike, does it fit you? If too big, reaching- it will hurt and you will be discouraged. Don’t give up at, and start small. 10 mile ride, and increase 1x, 2x, a week. I’ve read to follow a recommended training schedule on RAGBRAI website. Do that. And when you are ready to ride RAGBRAI, Buy your outdoor gear little by little.
My first RAGBRAI was 1990. No social media, or cell phones. Stood in line to pee, poop, eat, shower, phone home, purchase, ride. Last 3 days were rain. Met no corn bears in corn fields. Something about kaibows? Left @ 0500, ate an hour later, finished by 1 p.m., took lovely nap after tent set up & shower . And booked with the Chicago charter, they shuttled. I found my RAGBRAI shirt other day, when I’ll do it again , I’ll wear it, say hello.
I was riding a 650b salsa journeyman, more on the gravel bike end of the spectrum. Most were riding road/touring bikes but there were a handful on MTB and even a couple fat bikes!
How do you recommend getting your bike to the start? I'm from Iowa originally but have been in the military for a few years. Since leaving Iowa I've gotten into cycling and would really like to do RAGBRAI but logistics have me a bit worried. Especially since I'm in Japan right now and will be moving to South Carolina soon. I wish I lived closer
We used kind relatives for drop off and pick up. I know a lot of the bike shops in Des Moines offer shuttle services, calling bike shops in the town you are flying into might be a good place to start. There are also full blown charters that take care of everything, including drop off and pick up. I'd look into those too. Good luck!
Did you do the 2021 ride? Pork Belly ventures is a premium support service if you want to pay for that. Everything would be prepaid and no worries then.
Lots of good info. I'd like to make my way from AZ to IA and do it in 2021. Just starting my research. Can family drive along the route and meet you each evening? Are there small hotels or someplace for them to stay? If you don't do the bag service, do you still get to take advantage of the ball field camping? Thanks.
Sweet! A lot of people ride in teams with a RV or bus as a support vehicle. They have a separate route that they take to each town so they aren't on the roads with the bikes. Depending on the route, finding hotels for your family might be really difficult or near impossible. Larger cities will have some available but the will fill up fast once the route is announced. As for the camping, you don't need to use the bag service to camp there. A lot of people just carry their stuff on the bikes. Good luck!
Hey Michael. I'm in Tempe AZ. I've done ragbrai the last three years. If there any hotels along the route, they usually fill up fast with reservations. If your family is driving and can find a place to park they can camp with you. The added benefit to that is they can also carry your bags and you won't need to get your bag(s) to the ragbrai truck by a specific time each morning. There's usually a meeting town each day on the route where buses and rvs can park and meet up with their teams.
This looks like something I will do next year as long as I can get my vacation time scheduled for that week off plus time to allow myself to get there and time to get back. I was wonder, if I drive my car to western Iowa and ride my bike to the eastern Iowa, how do I get back to my car in the western part of the state. I was wondering if a service like that is available. Thanks in advance.
I don't think any group offers that service. If you have someone that wants to camp every day, they can keep driving your car to the next overnight town. If you want to park on the eastern side and get shuttled to the start that's the common way. Another option is chartering flights.
I have questions.... I plan to attend the 2021 event.....since there are no chase banks in iowa... What do I do for cash..since I don't carry much...or will my atm card be sufficient.
Almost everybody is beyond nice and talkative, SOMETIMES free food, toys, gadgets beer, etc. it really does bring a whole new meaning to "iowa nice". Im sure if you venmo or cashapp someone you could trade for cash OR pay. Some of the food truck vendors i went to in 2019 even had card payment options or even a couple with apple pay!
I don't know much about that aspect. I would google "RAGBRAI charters" and start reaching out to them, they might have rental options or where to get one. Good luck!
Did RAGBRAI III,IV and V. Did get repetitive by the last one so left the crowd behind the last two days and went on to Lansing alone. Great experiences though!
I love to ride, but the idea of riding with a massive amount of people does not sound fun. I am a bit of a lone wolf, and like to travel down the unbeaten path. Not matter what make sure your having fun, life is the best at bike speed!
@@HikePaddleBike The next time it ends in the Quad Cites I will do it, and run the Bix 7 Saturday morning. If your ever in Davenport hit me up for a ride!
I've Done 33 RAGBRAI rides. I figured the crowd thing out after a decade. Everyone else leaves between 5 AM and 8 AM. Our group of baggers never left the overnight town before 11 AM. We had the clear road and eventually caught up with everyone else. One year we actually got a day behind the ride...we caught up by the end though. My 20th Ragbrai I rode to the start from home then crossed the state with eveyone and then rode home solo at the end. But that cuts into about 2.5 weeks vacation time.
@@johnosborne7708 Did you participate in the 2021 ride with that leave at 11am idea? If you watched Kara & Nate's Ragbrai videos, you see they were in towns so late they were already closing things and pushing people on. If riding, did you see that issue and see those two on the tandem?
@@lightdark00 The pushing people out of town has been happening for 25 years or more. The State Patrol is behind it. Its unenforceable and not that big of a deal.
Have any questions or tips on RABGRAI for first timers? Leave your comments below! Happy riding!
Rode many times. In the evenings if you walk around residential areas and offer $5 for a shower, so many will welcome you into their home, provide everything (towels etc) and sometimes feed you. Iowa folks are friendly and love to hear the stories from the riders. What a great way to meet people too!
Cool vides and channel.Enjoyed it very much.Looking forward for more.
Awesome video, swift and to the point. I will be participating in this event in 2022 and your video is one of the reasons that cemented that decision. Thanks for your insight.
Go for it. Good luck 🍀
Great video and education. I have driven a support vehicle for 7+ years. Ragbri gives me a great appreciation for people and the fly over country we live in, Iowa. One day I will actually do Ragbri. Your words of encouragement have got me thinking ! Thank you!
Wonderful to hear! Thanks for watching and best wishes on your adventures!
My wife and I, and my daughter's family moved to Iowa. Heaven on earth 🌎
One thing people should consider, is if where you practice isn't as hilly as the path in Iowa, you have a nice awakening coming.
Thanks for this. Very nervous first timer here. We have an RV and my wife and kids are meeting me at the end of each day. Hoping it goes smooth
I was nervous before hand too but ended up having a great time! Happy riding!
Nervous with a RV to go back to each day? I call that supported luxury touring. How did it go?
This popped in my reccomended list! Its crazy to me because as an Iowan, I have always wanted to do RAGBRAI. Your video has inspired me to start training and build my stamina. Im going to do the ride next summer, I am in terrible shape so its going to be a hard year but so worth it!!
Hey motherofhounds, I have hounds,2.
If you really want to do RAGBRAI, get out everyday, walk if you are or of shape. Your bike, does it fit you? If too big, reaching- it will hurt and you will be discouraged. Don’t give up at, and start small. 10 mile ride, and increase 1x, 2x, a week. I’ve read to follow a recommended training schedule on RAGBRAI website. Do that. And when you are ready to ride RAGBRAI, Buy your outdoor gear little by little.
Great video!! Thank you for making it!!
Happy Ragbrai!!!
I’m in the UK but this looks amazing.
Awesome video!
Thanks for watching!
My first RAGBRAI was 1990. No social media, or cell phones. Stood in line to pee, poop, eat, shower, phone home, purchase, ride. Last 3 days were rain. Met no corn bears in corn fields. Something about kaibows? Left @ 0500, ate an hour later, finished by 1 p.m., took lovely nap after tent set up & shower . And booked with the Chicago charter, they shuttled. I found my RAGBRAI shirt other day, when I’ll do it again , I’ll wear it, say hello.
Your video gave me a lot of info on how the Bag Service works I'm riding with 4 friends & only riding Fri. & Sat. so our ride won't be to bad.
Some of those shots looked like the state fair! Can I be expecting some fishing videos within the next couple months? #APES4Life
I hope so!
That was great information. Thank you.
What kinda bike were you riding? Looks like a road bike or gravel.
Most people using road bikes?
Thanks
I was riding a 650b salsa journeyman, more on the gravel bike end of the spectrum. Most were riding road/touring bikes but there were a handful on MTB and even a couple fat bikes!
How do you recommend getting your bike to the start? I'm from Iowa originally but have been in the military for a few years. Since leaving Iowa I've gotten into cycling and would really like to do RAGBRAI but logistics have me a bit worried. Especially since I'm in Japan right now and will be moving to South Carolina soon. I wish I lived closer
We used kind relatives for drop off and pick up. I know a lot of the bike shops in Des Moines offer shuttle services, calling bike shops in the town you are flying into might be a good place to start. There are also full blown charters that take care of everything, including drop off and pick up. I'd look into those too. Good luck!
Did you do the 2021 ride?
Pork Belly ventures is a premium support service if you want to pay for that. Everything would be prepaid and no worries then.
Nice video! I know cost $175 but is there a cost to for being shuttled to the beginning of the ride or is that included?
Lots of good info. I'd like to make my way from AZ to IA and do it in 2021. Just starting my research. Can family drive along the route and meet you each evening? Are there small hotels or someplace for them to stay? If you don't do the bag service, do you still get to take advantage of the ball field camping? Thanks.
Sweet! A lot of people ride in teams with a RV or bus as a support vehicle. They have a separate route that they take to each town so they aren't on the roads with the bikes. Depending on the route, finding hotels for your family might be really difficult or near impossible. Larger cities will have some available but the will fill up fast once the route is announced. As for the camping, you don't need to use the bag service to camp there. A lot of people just carry their stuff on the bikes. Good luck!
Hey Michael. I'm in Tempe AZ. I've done ragbrai the last three years. If there any hotels along the route, they usually fill up fast with reservations. If your family is driving and can find a place to park they can camp with you. The added benefit to that is they can also carry your bags and you won't need to get your bag(s) to the ragbrai truck by a specific time each morning. There's usually a meeting town each day on the route where buses and rvs can park and meet up with their teams.
Did you go on the 2021 ride? I am pretty sure the ride price includes one bag transport.
This looks like something I will do next year as long as I can get my vacation time scheduled for that week off plus time to allow myself to get there and time to get back. I was wonder, if I drive my car to western Iowa and ride my bike to the eastern Iowa, how do I get back to my car in the western part of the state. I was wondering if a service like that is available. Thanks in advance.
I don't think any group offers that service. If you have someone that wants to camp every day, they can keep driving your car to the next overnight town.
If you want to park on the eastern side and get shuttled to the start that's the common way.
Another option is chartering flights.
I have questions....
I plan to attend the 2021 event.....since there are no chase banks in iowa...
What do I do for cash..since I don't carry much...or will my atm card be sufficient.
Almost everybody is beyond nice and talkative, SOMETIMES free food, toys, gadgets beer, etc. it really does bring a whole new meaning to "iowa nice". Im sure if you venmo or cashapp someone you could trade for cash OR pay. Some of the food truck vendors i went to in 2019 even had card payment options or even a couple with apple pay!
Any insights about the bicycle rentals?
I don't know much about that aspect. I would google "RAGBRAI charters" and start reaching out to them, they might have rental options or where to get one. Good luck!
Did RAGBRAI III,IV and V. Did get repetitive by the last one so left the crowd behind the last two days and went on to Lansing alone. Great experiences though!
I was on 5 - I did forget to dip my tire in the river.
I love to ride, but the idea of riding with a massive amount of people does not sound fun. I am a bit of a lone wolf, and like to travel down the unbeaten path. Not matter what make sure your having fun, life is the best at bike speed!
The huge amount of people was the hardest part for me too. I got used to it though :)
@@HikePaddleBike The next time it ends in the Quad Cites I will do it, and run the Bix 7 Saturday morning. If your ever in Davenport hit me up for a ride!
I've Done 33 RAGBRAI rides. I figured the crowd thing out after a decade. Everyone else leaves between 5 AM and 8 AM. Our group of baggers never left the overnight town before 11 AM. We had the clear road and eventually caught up with everyone else. One year we actually got a day behind the ride...we caught up by the end though. My 20th Ragbrai I rode to the start from home then crossed the state with eveyone and then rode home solo at the end. But that cuts into about 2.5 weeks vacation time.
@@johnosborne7708 Did you participate in the 2021 ride with that leave at 11am idea? If you watched Kara & Nate's Ragbrai videos, you see they were in towns so late they were already closing things and pushing people on. If riding, did you see that issue and see those two on the tandem?
@@lightdark00 The pushing people out of town has been happening for 25 years or more. The State Patrol is behind it. Its unenforceable and not that big of a deal.
Or you can have hosts, so you don’t have to be in tent city