Ride across Iowa? On a bicycle? And camp along the way?
Really?
Back in 1998 I was newly single and getting started with serious bikes. I took the plunge and rode an MS150 2-day ride from Duluth, MN, to Anoka (the NW Twin Cities) one June weekend. I brought my new hybrid bike and camping gear. It was only one night, right?
But that 150 miles over two days was a baptism of sorts and an early exposure to this huge ride to the south of Minnesota: RAGBRAI.
The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa originated in 1973 when a few reporters from the Des Moines Register newspaper thought it would be fun to ride across their state. Little did they know what they were conjuring up. Now, 49 years later and more than 20 years after I first heard about it, I ended up riding this cross-state adventure.
Wow. It did not disappoint. It’s equal parts Tour de France, Boston Marathon and Texas Beer Fest. But still, why?
My motivation came in two forms: Pam (my former long-time girlfriend), and one of our key ride leaders, Bobby.
From the time I starting riding with Pedals and Pints back in 2015, there were rumblings of RAGBRAI. The more time I spent with Bobby (and his wife, Jean) the more intense the feeling to go grew. These runners, cyclists and former triathletes, were avid RAGBRAIers having done the annual ride multiple times (at least 8 for Bobby and, I think, 3 for Jean). 
So, early in 2022, we made the decision to register for and ride in RAGBRAI. Pam was not a camper but an accomplished cyclist. I had at least slept on the ground and could pitch a tent–and ride a bike and keep it upright. Together we registered for the ride and started gathering information and gear. She was my inspiration to get to and through this ride.
Until COVID reared its ugly head. A scant few days before we were to all leave, Pam tested positive for the virus. She experienced extreme fatigue and opted not to go. We kept in touch while I was on the road and her support kept me going and got me across those many miles–and into the river.
It is a one-of-a-kind experience. I did it once and plan to go back in in the future (not for the 50th, however; too many people). Meeting up with 20,000 of my fellow cyclists, all those Lutheran church ladies and slice of pie–who wouldn’t go back?
See you in Iowa in the near future.
Relentless
