Notes from the RAGBRAI

I ended up on the High Trestle Trail bridge twice during my ride on the RAGBRAI this year.
But neither time was at night.
Dutch on the other hand made a trip across it in the dark.
It lights up.

High Trestle Trail Bridge during the day:



High Trestle Trail Bridge at night (video by Dutch):



I think another ride on the High Trestle Trail is in order.

Post RAGBRAI depression

The RAGBRAI was a blast but all good things come to an end.

500 miles over 10 days of riding.

Here is a little taste:
























A report is being written. We'll see if it ever gets posted.
OMB mapped out our ride, you can find it HERE

Its that time of year again...

Time for the RAGBRAI!!



I'm heading to Des Moines, Iowa tonight with the OMB. Tomorrow we start riding west towards Breda, the big bagger meet up town.
Looking to be a grand week. Lots of friends to see, beers to drink, miles to ride and fun to be had.





2011 will make 10 trips to the RAGBRAI in a row and will earn me one more mark.



Gonna be sweet.
Full report and fuzzy photos some time after I return.
And possibly even a few of these:




Ride bikes. Drink beer. Talk back to the Police.

Post RAGBRAI depression

I've been home for a couple of days & its starting to set in.
I go back to work tomorrow so I'm sure it won't last long.
I think I'll have plenty to do once I start working.
Speaking of plenty to do. I really am going to do a report for the RAGBRAI this year. Last year I tried and got nothing. I've been going over my maps and looking at my photos making notes since I got home Sunday. The trick will be moving the report from paper notes to this set up.
Plus making it more interesting than: We rode to that town. Drank beer then rode to the next town.
I walked through the route last night with the map at Mr. Joshua & Laura's new home last night. Realized later I didn't really tell them any good "stories" as much as I just told them where I went. We'll figure something out. Until then (hopefully soon before I get busy with real work stuff) I'll fill this space with a video.
I experimented a little bit on the RAGBRAI with video journal stuff.
It didn't go great but we'll give it a shot anyway.

***************2 hours later************************
OK.
I gave it a shot and they won't post on here for whatever reason
So I'll just direct you to my Flickr page where they are along with my 280-something photos I took over the 9 days of riding.

I think I'm packed...

I know it looks like the bike is heavily loaded, and it is but not as bad as it looks.
I'm not taking alot, but no more than years past.
And even loaded as is the beauty of this bike is, it rides fantastic!

I think the thing to remember is:
I'm a big boy.
So I require big stuff that doesn't pack as small as other smaller stature peoples gear does.
Also, everything (except my S-Works helmet, in the red bag, and my cowboy hat) are inside the panniers.

Many people use smaller panniers and have stuff like tents, sleeping mats etc on the outside on the rack. I prefer not to do this since I have some really big bags.

Jannd rear panniers:
All camping gear (tent, poles, stakes, tarp, bed roll), blanket, sheet, travel pillow, rain jacket, vest, arm and knee warmers, all tools/tubes, sunscreen, butt balm, cozies, zip ties, spare H20 bottles, spare spokes, clothes (both on the bike, for 7 days of riding, and off the bike) and two bottles of whiskey.

Axiom front panniers:
Personal/hygiene items (tooth brush/paste, floss, contacts/solution, mouth wash, talcum, wet wipes, eye drops, razor, soap/wash cloth), RX glasses w/cases (2pair one for off the bike one for on), sunglasses w/cases(two pair), first aid kit, riding gloves (two pair), nutrition (back up Cliff bars and gel shots), head lamp (setting up tent in the dark), I-Pod, note pad, pen, camera, phone, spare batteries, random odds and ends.

The bike:

Surly Long Haul Trucker 62cm
Surly Nice Racks front and rear
Planet Bike hardcore fenders (yellow)
Thomson 27.2 seat post
Brooks Professional saddle
Chris King headset
Ritchey 100mm 31.8 stem
WTB Dirt Drop bar
Shimano R600 STI brake/shift leavers
Tektro canti-lever brakes w/thin line pads
Shimano Ultrega FD
Shimano XTR RD
Race Face 175mm cranks with 34/44 rings
Shimano Ultregra 12/27 cassette
Shimano XTR "limited edition" hubs 32h laced to Salsa Delgado Cross rims Front/Rear wheels
Continental Contact 700x37c tires

Off to the RAGBRAI in the morning.
I'll try to comment during the week on my Twitter and post photos on my Flickr, and maybe even post a short blog here.
That is assuming that my phone gets any service during the week. I wanted to do all those things last year and had no service.
Plus I was so busy having fun I never took the time. I am taking a note pad (again) to scribble some daily notes about the week to post when I return home.

Looking like its gonna be a great week. Now all I need is for my ride to the start town to show up in the morning.

Heading to the RAGBRAI start town...

I'm sure i am over packed... per the norm... but who cares....its go time!