First time RAGBRAI experience for fifty-somethings. Our 500 mile journey across Iowa from Sioux City to Davenport with 10,000 or so of our closest friends.
I'm was also a newbie, only I'm 66 years young. Thanks for sharing your journey, I really enjoyed it. You have a real gift in your epilogues. I was almost depressed after RAGBRAI ended. I had already done BAK (Bike Across Kansas). Now I'm signed up to ride Mountains to Coast arcross North Carolina. It startd Sept. 30th and I can't wait.
You'll be back...Ragbrai will slowly creep back into your enjoyment neurons. Virgins always come back to try and capture that thrill... of the first time.
Great video. RAGBRAI L (50) was prbly the most challenging ride in a long time. Heat/humidity isn’t uncommon for July & August in Iowa, but this year’s heat - lasting virtually the entire week - was unprecedented. And the fact it was the 50th anniversary ride, with so many returners and first-time riders, only added to the challenge with unusually crowded roads/more stressful bike traffic, longer lines for food/bathrooms, etc. and just more of everything amassed together (bikes, tents, support vehicles, vendors…). In a way the crowding and heat this year may prove to be a blessing, keeping the # of riders in the future down at a more normal/comfortable level. We’ll see. To me, the best thing about RAGBRAI is the people in the small towns and the overall “vibe” of the ride. It’s not a race, it’s not about “putting in the miles.” You should be there to eat a pork chop, pet a goat, ride through a sprinkler & get one of Thelma’s ice cream sandwiches. And ride a bike with friends, new and old.
Hello...let me first start by congratulating you both...great accomplishment to get through such a hot and hilly and what I thought was a at times very stressful RAGBRAi with so many riders. Your video in my opinion is one if not the best ones that I have seeing. Your approach to describe the ride during each day is spot on and all the ups and downs ( not withstanding how hilly this ride was) is as close as one can imagine how difficult because of the terrain, weather and time lines. The thing I think many of these videos except yours, is they fail to describe how stressful is to ride with over 40 thousand riders of all abilities, demeanor and approach. I also got yelled a lot by many riders who were dressed and fit to be a bicycle racer but the never as good as they thought they were like if they were good enough for Le Tour...I think your wife is a rock and total bad ass and believe me when I say this ride was difficult and not something that would be a priority on my radar again...I rode RAGBRAI on a Velo Orange Mini Velo Neutrino and I was comfortable knowing I was going to be in the saddle for at least 8 hours each day averaging 11-12 mph but what got me stress out besides sleeping in hot humid weather was the constant guarding of bad etiquette riders and the many crashes I got to see, including having a lady hit my bag wheel and taking herself out with a concussion. Your video is likely the most realistic one of all the recaps I have seen. I appreciate very much your hard work in filming and editing and I am grateful for it. Thank you for your efforts and again, congratulations in such a great accomplishment and if I ever run into you down the road, I would be the guy with two little stuff bisons hanging in the back on the saddle bag, stop me and the beers and a burger are on me. Cheers.
Thanks for that. Great Account and a whole different approach to many other videos. RAGBRAI L was my first and your images and words had great resonance with me. Thank You
Thanks, Kevin...a wonderful account of your week in the corn. Your commentary is thoughtful and poetic. Your wife is, indeed, a trooper. Well done to both of you for completing it and then sharing your feelings. Thanks.
You did a great job capturing the experience. I turned 60 and RAGBRAI turned 50. They went by my house as a child and so I made the journey from Louisville to Iowa. It was a great experience! I have dreams about the ride every night.
I am 70 and just registered for my first RAGBRAI. Really enjoyed your video. Inspired me to peek at some of your other travels. Very entertaining. One question: No headstand on RAGBRAI or did I miss it? :)
Baconator for breakfast was my go to. Always had the shortest line. This was my 2nd Ragbrai and halfway through I questioned if I would do another but as of 2 days ago I have ordered a new carbon fiber road bike so I’m committed to riding this annual event for many years to come.
I love your video! Thanks for sharing! Wish i could go
Congratulations on completing the ride!!! It was a hot one.
I enjoyed your narration on your movie. It was great.
How do you find so many great hosts?
Great writing. Thanks for bringing back the memories.
Enjoyed this, you made it look easy 😂well done 👍
I'm was also a newbie, only I'm 66 years young. Thanks for sharing your journey, I really enjoyed it. You have a real gift in your epilogues. I was almost depressed after RAGBRAI ended. I had already done BAK (Bike Across Kansas). Now I'm signed up to ride Mountains to Coast arcross North Carolina. It startd Sept. 30th and I can't wait.
You'll be back...Ragbrai will slowly creep back into your enjoyment neurons. Virgins always come back to try and capture that thrill... of the first time.
Great video. RAGBRAI L (50) was prbly the most challenging ride in a long time. Heat/humidity isn’t uncommon for July & August in Iowa, but this year’s heat - lasting virtually the entire week - was unprecedented. And the fact it was the 50th anniversary ride, with so many returners and first-time riders, only added to the challenge with unusually crowded roads/more stressful bike traffic, longer lines for food/bathrooms, etc. and just more of everything amassed together (bikes, tents, support vehicles, vendors…). In a way the crowding and heat this year may prove to be a blessing, keeping the # of riders in the future down at a more normal/comfortable level. We’ll see. To me, the best thing about RAGBRAI is the people in the small towns and the overall “vibe” of the ride. It’s not a race, it’s not about “putting in the miles.” You should be there to eat a pork chop, pet a goat, ride through a sprinkler & get one of Thelma’s ice cream sandwiches. And ride a bike with friends, new and old.
Hello...let me first start by congratulating you both...great accomplishment to get through such a hot and hilly and what I thought was a at times very stressful RAGBRAi with so many riders. Your video in my opinion is one if not the best ones that I have seeing. Your approach to describe the ride during each day is spot on and all the ups and downs ( not withstanding how hilly this ride was) is as close as one can imagine how difficult because of the terrain, weather and time lines. The thing I think many of these videos except yours, is they fail to describe how stressful is to ride with over 40 thousand riders of all abilities, demeanor and approach. I also got yelled a lot by many riders who were dressed and fit to be a bicycle racer but the never as good as they thought they were like if they were good enough for Le Tour...I think your wife is a rock and total bad ass and believe me when I say this ride was difficult and not something that would be a priority on my radar again...I rode RAGBRAI on a Velo Orange Mini Velo Neutrino and I was comfortable knowing I was going to be in the saddle for at least 8 hours each day averaging 11-12 mph but what got me stress out besides sleeping in hot humid weather was the constant guarding of bad etiquette riders and the many crashes I got to see, including having a lady hit my bag wheel and taking herself out with a concussion. Your video is likely the most realistic one of all the recaps I have seen. I appreciate very much your hard work in filming and editing and I am grateful for it. Thank you for your efforts and again, congratulations in such a great accomplishment and if I ever run into you down the road, I would be the guy with two little stuff bisons hanging in the back on the saddle bag, stop me and the beers and a burger are on me. Cheers.
thanks so much for the feedback. very much appreciated. good luck on your next ride.
Thanks for that. Great Account and a whole different approach to many other videos. RAGBRAI L was my first and your images and words had great resonance with me. Thank You
Thanks, Kevin...a wonderful account of your week in the corn. Your commentary is thoughtful and poetic. Your wife is, indeed, a trooper. Well done to both of you for completing it and then sharing your feelings. Thanks.
Beautifully honest, thank you for sharing! 🚴
Thank you!
You did a great job capturing the experience. I turned 60 and RAGBRAI turned 50. They went by my house as a child and so I made the journey from Louisville to Iowa. It was a great experience! I have dreams about the ride every night.
very well done, thanks for sharing in a very honest way. i need a grilled pork chop.
Extremely well done. Congrats on your RAGBRAI adventure.
Great vid.
I am 70 and just registered for my first RAGBRAI. Really enjoyed your video. Inspired me to peek at some of your other travels. Very entertaining. One question: No headstand on RAGBRAI or did I miss it? :)
haha good question. wife had planned to but think perhaps ran out of energy
I really enjoyed the video. I assume you write for a living because the writing and narration was excellent!
thanks. just a hobby
Baconator for breakfast was my go to. Always had the shortest line. This was my 2nd Ragbrai and halfway through I questioned if I would do another but as of 2 days ago I have ordered a new carbon fiber road bike so I’m committed to riding this annual event for many years to come.
@@kmtnbike1117 congrats on the bike. I won’t say never but need to do a few other things first.
Really enjoyed your video! I assume you do some sort of writing for a living because it was top notch.
Are you riding on closed roads?
yes. ride mostly doesn’t have vehicle traffic