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RAGBRAI®, The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa®, is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state. RAGBRAI is the longest, largest and oldest touring bicycle ride in the world. In the beginning, no one imagined that RAGBRAI® would become the Iowa tradition it is now. We at The Des Moines Register thank all the riders who have joined us over the years. We especially wish to thank the thousands and thousands of volunteers in the towns we've visited along the way for their tireless work to show RAGBRAI riders the hospitality that has made our ride world famous. We encourage you to follow the application procedures and come along only if you are accepted as a registered rider. It is crucial that we keep our number of riders at the level suggested by the Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Department of Transportation for the safety of all riders. We thank you for your cooperation. For those of you who have never ridden, this rolling celebration of Iowa attracts participants from all 50 states and many foreign countries. It has covered thousands of miles through the years, and hundreds of thousands of riders have hopped in the saddle to pedal part of those miles. RAGBRAI is a bicycle ride-not a race. It started in 1973 as a six-day ride across the state of Iowa by two Des Moines Register columnists who invited a few friends along. It is held the last full week in July and hosted by The Register's front-page cartoonist, Brian Duffy and a team of Register staffers. RAGBRAI is planned and coordinated by The Des Moines Register, and riders who participate in RAGBRAI understand that they do so at their own risk. The RAGBRAI route averages 471 miles and is not necessarily flat. It begins somewhere along Iowa's western border on the Missouri River and ends along the eastern border on the Mississippi River. We change the route each year and announce the overnight towns the first weekend in February in The Des Moines Register and on our web site. The route and application are usually printed in The Des Moines Register on the last Sunday in February. Eight Iowa communities along the RAGBRAI route serve as "host" communities for overnight stays. RAGBRAI is a guest in these communities and we ask our riders to behave as such. The people of Iowa truly make RAGBRAI the special event that it is by opening up their towns and communities to participants. We hope you can enjoy this Iowa hospitality and join us for a memorable trip across the state. Return to the Information Index You may download the entry form through our web site accessible at www.ragbrai.org. A RAGBRAI entry form allows you to enter as an individual or as a team. Each envelope is considered one entry in the lottery. It does not matter if the envelope contains 1 or 50 Individual Applications. The RAGBRAI computer lottery draws by entry, so you are either all drawn or all rejected. If you don't want your group to be split up, we advise that you send all of the Individual Applications for your team in the same envelope. Anyone who sends more than one Individual Application in the same envelope should complete the Team Summary on page 4 of the entry and select one person as the Team Contact. The person whose name is listed as the "Team Contact" on the entry form will be considered the contact for the whole group, and the Participant Packet will be mailed to him or her. The Team Contact agrees to distribute all materials to each member of the group before RAGBRAI starts. The Team Contact also is responsible for the behavior of his/her entire group. Every RAGBRAI participant must complete a waiver on page 3 of the entry form. It must have the original and authentic signature of the participant. Faxes or copies of signatures will be rejected. The amount enclosed must be calculated correctly or the entry will be returned for corrections. Your completed entry form must be postmarked no later than April 1. Only one application is allowed per person. If any person sends a duplicate request, everyone on each application on which that person's name appears also will be rejected. Please be fair to everyone and enter the drawing only once. Because we receive applications from more riders than we can safely take on the ride, selection is based on a random computer lottery. RAGBRAI is limited to 8,500 riders who are selected through a computer drawing from 9,000-12,000 applicants so you have about a 70% chance of having your entry selected. All checks will be cashed and if your entry is not drawn, we will issue a refund check. Just because your check is cashed, it does not mean you were selected in the lottery. No matter the rumors you may hear, rest assured the following myths about the lottery are just that - myths.
Facts about the lottery
Lottery Results After May 1, you may go to the RAGBRAI home page accessible at www.ragbrai.org on the Internet, select rider verification, and enter the last four digits of your social security number as well as your birth date. This will tell you if you've been selected. Remember that if you did not put your social security number on the Individual Application form as part of the Personal Data section, we cannot list your lottery results on the web site. Please do not call or email RAGBRAI to find out if you have been selected as a participant. If you were selected, your Team Contact will receive your rider tags in the Participant Packet near the end of May. If you were rejected, you will receive a refund of your fee in the mail. If others on your entry were selected and your name does not appear in the web site results, a data entry error has probably occurred so it is extremely important that you print legibly on the Individual Application form. The baggage tag permits you to put your bag on the Register's baggage truck. Your bag must be clearly marked and can be claimed only by showing that the number on your wristband matches the number on your baggage tag. One-day riders must write their wristband number on their baggage tag. Although each rider is allowed only one bag, you may bundle or strap together a tent, sleeping bag or duffel bag and count it as one. We cannot accept wood or hard plastic luggage, backpacks or bike cases; only standard cloth or canvas bags are permitted. Be sure to have your gear at the Register baggage semi by 8:00 a.m. You will need to walk your baggage onto the truck in the mornings, however, your baggage will be unloaded for you in the afternoons. A horn will sound 15 minutes before leaving time. The trucks will load where they unloaded the day before. Make sure you put your baggage on the correct truck because other groups have trucks similar to the Register's. We will not be responsible for baggage left at the truck in the mornings before it is open nor after 6:00 p.m. in the afternoon. Baggage security is provided from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. only. Be sure to include money for bicycle parts and repairs and other incidentals in your planning for the week. Bicycle repair will be available along the route and in the campgrounds. Repair service hours in the campgrounds will be between 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sanctioned shops have signs that say, OFFICIAL RAGBRAI BICYCLE SHOP, and sell official RAGBRAI T-shirts, souvenirs, bicycling equipment, accessories and helmets. To signal that you need help on the route, turn your bicycle upside down or "wheels up" and motion a "thumbs down" signal to let an approaching bicycle repair van or a sag wagon know that you need help. Be sure to have a safety check done on your bike before you arrive to ride! You will also find safety checklists for you and your equipment in this guide. If you will be shipping your bicycle to the starting town, or shipping it home from the ending town after the ride, here are some helpful suggestions to follow.
Shipping your bike to the starting town There is usually a fee for receiving and storing your bike. And/or a cost associated with assembling your bike if you choose that option. The Participant Guide that you will receive as a registered rider contains contact information for shipping and receiving. The starting town also will put this information on their web site that will be linked to ragbrai.org Shipping your bike from the ending town UPS shipping will be available in ending town on Saturday. Plan for there to be a charge for a shipping box and/or disassembly of your bike if you so choose. Campgrounds Camping areas will be set aside by each community on school grounds, county fairgrounds and/or city parks and are large enough to accommodate all registered riders. It's possible that some communities will not have space available to accommodate all vehicles at the tent campground, so support vehicles may be directed to a separate campground. If that is true, there will be space for tents in the support vehicle campgrounds. If you have vehicle pass and are bringing a self-contained motor home, you need to be aware that the campgrounds will not be equipped with electrical or water hook-ups. All overnight communities will, however, have a dumping station. Additionally if you will be operating a generator in the campgrounds, please be courteous of your fellow tent campers. Campgrounds must be quiet after 9:00 p.m. Camping will be available in the ending town on the Friday night before the ride begins and on the Saturday night the ride ends for those who are meeting a charter service the following day. Camping also will be available in the starting host community the Friday and Saturday nights before RAGBRAI begins. Private Housing You must remember that RAGBRAI is a camping ride and private in-home housing should not be expected. If you do write to overnight host towns for housing accommodations, enclose $3 to help cover their expenses. Remember to include your tag number, a brief description of yourself and your group; whether you wish a bed or floor space; if you're a smoker or non-smoker; male or female; if you want camping space in their back yard or a place to park a vehicle. If you do arrange private housing or camping, PLEASE extend the courtesy of notifying your hosts if you will be unable to enjoy their hospitality. Unfortunately, we have had instances when guests have failed to show up. This is unfair to the hosts and to other riders who might have had their request turned down because of lack of facilities. RAGBRAI Etiquette
Return to the Information Index Paramedic teams patrol the bicycle route and emergency medical treatment will be available in each campground. RAGBRAI has purchased an accident medical expense insurance policy on all registered riders and support personnel. This covers only expenses for medical treatment of injuries that are caused by an accident while on the RAGBRAI route or in an overnight community. Sickness or any bodily infirmity is not a covered loss. Coverage is in excess of your regular health insurance, automobile insurance, workers compensation or any other medical reimbursement plan. Riders and support personnel who do not have medical insurance will be covered for medical expenses in excess of $500 deductible for each accident. You must first make claim to your insurance carrier. You are responsible for any uncovered hospital, doctor and medical supply bills you incur, so be sure to bring your personal insurance card. Riders and support personnel who are not officially registered (name on file in the RAGBRAI office) are not covered and are responsible for their own medical bills. On the Saturday afternoon before the ride begins, a Rider's Exposition featuring the latest in cycling gear and equipment takes place in the starting town. All RAGBRAI participants, friends and family, and community residents are invited to attend. Anyone interested in participating as a company in this one-day marketing opportunity should contact cgalbrai@dmreg.com. Return to the Information Index Concentrate first on learning how to ride safely and with endurance. RAGBRAI likely will be one of the most difficult things, physically, that you've ever attempted. Always stretch before and after riding. Have your bike in the best mechanical condition possible. A touring or road bike is going to be the easiest to ride and is the most common type found on RAGBRAI. A hybrid bike will be easier to ride than a mountain bike. Safety involves several items. The first is your helmet. DON'T GET ON A BIKE WITHOUT A HELMET. Safety equipment also includes gloves. If you fall they protect the palms of your hands. Riding safely is very important and very difficult to learn because there is no other ride like RAGBRAI in terms of just numbers of bikes. Have a mirror on your helmet or your bike and use it. Carry a spare inner tube in case you have a flat. There are repair vans along the route, but chances are you will be waiting in line. Even if you do not have the knowledge to change a tire yourself, someone will be glad to help. The greatest threat to your well-being on the route is not cars or trucks but other cyclists. Many riders may be riding for the first time surrounded by thousands of other cyclists. And, while this circumstance promotes a certain euphoria, it also holds hidden dangers, i.e., running into each other and falling down. Before you stop, make sure no bicycles or motor vehicles are immediately behind you. Stop at the right edge of the roadway and immediately move to the shoulder. Stay clear of the roadway. Stopping is especially dangerous at the crest of a hill or on a curve. Call out to fellow cyclists when you are going to pass on the left or right or up the middle, or are pulling off or pulling on. Be predictable and don't weave. Ride in a straight line to make it easier for those riding behind you. Don't draft. Drafting in a crowd is dangerous to yourself and others around you. There is no place for it on RAGBRAI. Drafting vehicles is also dangerous and will not be tolerated on RAGBRAI. Ride to the right. Leave room for others to pass on your left. There have been many close calls and at least one serious accident because a passing rider was forced into the lane with oncoming traffic. Food and Hydration While on your bike, be sure to carry with you at least enough money to buy the all-important food. Food, both standard fare and the unusual, is available at every turn. RAGBRAI is a major economic boost to every church, Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop, 4-H club, VFW post, etc. that it passes. It is not unusual to spend $35 per day on food and drink. Remember you "eat today to ride tomorrow." You also should carry some type of high energy food. (Usually food is available when you want it, but there are always times when you may need a boost.) Don't put yourself in danger because you're not drinking enough fluids. The temperature, wind, distance and previous day's events all will determine your need for fluids. One rule of thumb is that a bicyclist should drink water every 15 minutes, but water is not enough. You should carry at least two water bottles with you. Because we sweat and lose those precious minerals when we exercise, we have to replace them through sports drinks and other fluids. And since certain beverages can hinder the effectiveness of some important vitamins and minerals, it's a good idea to have some vitamins on hand. Sugar and carbohydrates keep your body going on RAGBRAI, but don't try to eat them all at one sitting. It's much better to eat several times a day than to try to pedal on a full stomach. And, as all seasoned RAGBRAI riders know, there's always a food stand just up ahead. Return to the Information Index Participating in RAGBRAI as a support vehicle driver could be addictive. (You may catch the RAGBRAI bug like everyone else.) Drivers are expected to attend an informational meeting held in the starting town the day before RAGBRAI departs. Bring an Iowa state road map along. It can be very helpful to supplement the support vehicle map the Register provides and will assist you in determining on which roads you should be driving. Make sure you check in with the Information Center at every overnight town. This helps your group find out where you're camping, and also gives the Information Center volunteers an idea of where to find you if they should need to notify you about someone in your group. Please be courteous. You are a guest in the community and should act like one. Turn your generators off when they're not needed. It is hard to enjoy the great outdoors with the fumes and noise of multiple generators. Be patient. There will be lines everywhere you go, even when you're driving. Be careful. When driving a large panel truck or pulling a trailer, be especially aware of what or who is behind or beside your vehicle. Overhead clearance is critical. Remember, you may have a bike rack on top of your vehicle that could hit tree branches or signs. Share. You are sharing camping sites with more than 8,500 bikers. Give everyone his/her space. Be neat. Encourage your group to pick up after themselves. Have garbage bags on hand for trash. Before you leave in the morning, walk your area. You'll find the misplaced billfold, watch, sunglasses and bike computer. Your group will appreciate your efforts. Always buckle up and don't drink alcoholic beverages if you're going to be driving. Make sure you're getting plenty of rest the night before driving so you stay sharp. Drowsiness can lead to becoming distracted and inattentive. Have a safe and fun trip! Return to the Information Index
The Friends of RAGBRAI program is a marketing program allowing both national and Iowa-based companies the opportunity to partner with RAGBRAI. The goal is to recruit companies with products or services that benefit RAGBRAI riders or host communities. For more information about becoming a Friend of RAGBRAI, contact cgalbrai@dmreg.com. Return to the Information Index The Information Center for each town is always located in the main tent campgrounds. This is where you can leave notes for people, find information about the town, ask riders questions and find Information Center volunteers. Teams are asked to check in at the Information Center when they arrive in town and give the volunteers your camping location so that others may find you. Also, the Register's RAGBRAI van is always parked near the Information Center in the campgrounds. Register RAGBRAI staffers will be happy to answer all your questions. Return to the Information Index The Register van in the campground also serves as the Lost and Found site during the ride. If you have misplaced something during the ride, be sure to check periodically at this van. It's open until about 8:45 p.m. daily. Sometimes found items are reported to the RAGBRAI office after the ride ends, so you can also call the RAGBRAI office at 800-474-3342. Return to the Information Index Food and drink will be available in bountiful amounts at a very nominal cost in the campgrounds, in churches and restaurants, and along the route. Concessions that are officially sanctioned will be identified by a sign reading, OFFICIAL RAGBRAI VENDOR. A discount will usually be offered when you show your participant wristband. Please support the officially-sanctioned concessions and be sure to bring along enough money to cover your meals and beverages for the week. Plan on about $35 a day. Traveler's checks are accepted by most vendors while credit cards are accepted by only a few. Return to the Information Index An official Des Moines Register RAGBRAI van will be parked near the Information Center in each main tent campground, as well as downtown in each host community. RAGBRAI memorabilia such as posters, jerseys, mugs, patches, pins, playing cards, pens, jewelry, caps and copies of the daily Des Moines Register may be purchased at these vans. In your packet, you will find a merchandise catalog to order RAGBRAI merchandise any time of the year, if it is not convenient for you to purchase items during the ride. RAGBRAI merchandise can also be purchased online at www.desmoinesregister.com Return to the Information Index All minors must be accompanied by responsible adults during the ride, preferably their parents. We will include a medical release form in the participant packet for each minor under 18 years old to be signed by his or her parent or guardian. The minor must have the form in his or her possession at all times during RAGBRAI. Without the card, there could be a delay in medical treatment. Legal Drinking Age If you plan to have an alcoholic beverage during RAGBRAI, be prepared to prove that you are of legal age. Legal drinking age in Iowa is 21 years. Local establishments and community-sponsored beverage tents where alcoholic beverages are sold will not accept the excuse that bikers wearing biking gear have no way to carry the necessary identification. They may issue a colorful wristband to individuals who are of legal drinking age but have a youthful appearance. If you are under 21 and are found with alcoholic beverages in your possession, you will be prosecuted and sent home! We appreciate your cooperation. Young Children It's a rare child who can pedal all of RAGBRAI before the age of 11. Children recover quickly, but a day of adverse weather will wipe them out. It takes a truly superior child to pedal a mountain bike with knobby tires across the state. If a road bike isn't in your budget, consider buying slicks for the mountain bike. You just about have to force a child to eat well to have the strength for all seven days. Push water. A child who will drink only Gatorade will keep you standing in line at an ATM. A colorful T-shirt will help child and parent keep track of each other on the route and in the pass-through towns. Helmet mirrors are a great investment to keep an eye on the children (or even adult riding partners). Have firm meeting places. Town squares, third food stop on the right, Dove bar stands. It's incredibly easy to get separated from your group. Return to the Information Index Having your entry selected in the lottery makes you an officially registered participant entitled to the following benefits:
Wristband Discounts You will need to wear your wristband at all times on the ride for ID purposes and because discounts will be offered to wrist-banded participants by most towns. Official RAGBRAI Vendors will have discounts on food and merchandise. In the overnight towns, you will receive discounts for showers, shuttle service and other products. Your wristband also will give you priority to sag wagons, bicycle shop repairs and many other services. Return to the Information Index One-day passes may be purchased for one, two or three days only. They may be purchased by completing the regular RAGBRAI application form and sending it to the RAGBRAI office. Day passes are valid only on the day for which they are issued. One-day pass holders are entitled to sag and medical services and are covered by RAGBRAI insurance only on the day of the one-day pass. These services are not available on any day for which a day pass is not purchased. For example, if you have a one-day pass for Monday only, but continue to ride and have an accident on the route Tuesday, you are not covered by RAGBRAI insurance. One-day pass holders are provided with use of the Register's RAGBRAI baggage service for the day of their pass. However, baggage tags (and bike license plates) for one-day pass holders are not numbered with the day pass tag number(s). One-day pass holders who wish to use the baggage service, should write their tag number(s) on the baggage tag. Tag numbers must be listed on the baggage tag for ALL days that they wish to use baggage service. You will have a different tag number for each day's pass. The Des Moines Registerâ and RAGBRAIâ do not provide shuttle service to one-day pass holders at the end of the day. You are responsible for finding your own way back to your car. Return to the Information Index Participants wishing to leave their vehicles in the starting or the ending town for the week will be provided with the cost and location of a parking area in the Participant Guide for registered riders and also on the RAGBRAI web site link for the towns. Liability for damage and/or stolen goods is the responsibility of the vehicle owner. Return to the Information Index Near the end of May the Participant Packet is sent to the Team Contact for each group. If you are a single rider and did not send your application along with any others, the Participant Packet is sent directly to you. Enclosed in the participant packet, you will find OFFICIAL RAGBRAI IDENTIFICATION that contains a unique identification number for each of the registrants in your group. If you are a rider, you will find a rider wristband, a bike band, a bike (license) plate and a baggage tag. If you are a non-rider, you will receive a non-rider wristband. If you have requested and been selected to receive a vehicle pass, one is included. Each of the items is labeled to help you figure out whether you are looking at a bike band or a wristband. Each of these identification pieces and the redeemable patch certificate for 7-day riders, are imprinted with the unique identification number. Before attaching your wristband, bike plate or bike band, make sure the number corresponds to the numbers on your baggage tag and patch certificate. You will find a printout in your packet that details which number is assigned to which individual in your group. It is the responsibility of the Team Contact who receives the participant packet to carefully distribute these items to the proper rider or non-rider. Any correspondence to The Des Moines Register's RAGBRAI office should include the unique identification number assigned, along with the person's name, address and telephone number. Wristband and Bike Band Instructions NOTE: Do not put the wristband on until the week of RAGBRAI. The only way to remove it is to cut the band or ruin the snap. If the snap was ruined in the mail or a part of it is missing, stop by the Register van in the campground for replacement. The wristband is to be worn on the wrist-not attached to the bike, an ankle or hanging from a key chain. The bike band should be fastened on the top bar of your bicycle.
Bike Plate Instructions The number on your bike plate corresponds to the number on your wristband, bike band and baggage tag. One-day riders must write the number on the bike plate. Please print your name and hometown on the plate and use the cable ties included in the packet to hang it from the back of your bike seat. It is our hope that the bike plates will encourage conversation and introductions among riders. Return to the Information Index Because of the assignment of numbers on the bands that coincides with the waiver and release of liability that you signed, tags may not be privately re-sold or transferred. If for some reason you cannot attend the ride, you must return the wristband, baggage tag, bike band, bike plate, patch certificate and vehicle pass (if applicable) to RAGBRAI. We must receive your returned tags before June 12. If we can resell them to someone who was rejected in the drawing, we will issue you a refund. No tags received after this date will be resold by RAGBRAI. The Register is not responsible for lost, delayed or misplaced application forms. Call RAGBRAI at 1-800-I RIDE IA (474-3342) if you have questions about this procedure. Return to the Information Index 6:00 a.m., is considered the official RAGBRAI sunrise when you may begin riding. Safety and medical support services monitor the route between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. If you race ahead, lag behind or leave the official bicycle route, services will not be available to you. Riding in the dark on unknown roads without support is foolish, even if you have lights. Ride at a speed that will enable you to finish each day well in advance of sundown. Daily Route Maps/Marking The complete week of daily route maps, with mileage between pass-through towns and other information, will be available at campground Information Centers as well as at the Register's van downtown and the Register's van parked in the campground. The route for the day is published each morning in The Des Moines Register available in the campgrounds. The route is not closed to vehicular traffic but, by publishing the maps, drivers can plan to use other highways while the riders are in the area. The bike route will be marked each day with bright orange arrows and patrolled by emergency medical crews, repair vans, the Iowa State Patrol and RAGBRAI personnel. Bright green arrows will be used to mark the vehicle route in and out of town. Traffic Control/Rider Safety Whenever possible, we select roads with low traffic volume for the bicycle route. The Iowa State Patrol and local law enforcement authorities direct traffic at intersections to ensure the safest ride possible. They do not lead the riders on the route. Be sure to obey all Iowa traffic laws and be courteous to motorists and other riders. Please wear a helmet, ride predictably, sound off when passing another rider, don't stop on the roadway, don't cross the yellow line, and please keep to the right if you are traveling more slowly than others! Most importantly, RIDE RIGHT, it's right! To learn the rules of the road for riding safely in RAGBRAI and at any other time of the year, please read and follow the RIDE RIGHT® rules listed in the RAGBRAI Safety and Courtesy Guide. Return to the Information Index Sag wagons patrol the route to pick up riders who break down physically or mechanically. There is no charge for this service if you show your rider wristband. You will be asked to sign on when riding a sag wagon. Non-registered riders will be asked to sign a waiver. Again, to let the sag driver know you need help, turn your bicycle upside down or "wheels up" and motion a "thumbs down" signal. Sag wagons do not provide taxi service from campground to campground, nor should riders make a habit of using them. If you aren't in condition to ride the distance, you should not come on the ride. Return to the Information Index Weather in late July in Iowa is typically very hot and humid, with highs in the 80s and 90s. But it's not uncommon for temperatures to dip to 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the evening. Weather is very unpredictable and rain is a very real possibility. RAGBRAI continues to move along on schedule despite poor weather conditions. You should pack accordingly. In case of lightning on the road
In case of hail on the road
In case of a tornado on the road
In case of lightning in camp
In case of hail in camp
In case of a tornado in camp
Each overnight town has a severe weather plan in place, so follow the organizers directions. Return to the Information Index Showers will be available at schools, swimming pools and converted car washes. Shuttle service is usually available from the campgrounds to the showers. The Register provides for 65 portable toilets to supplement the ones provided by the overnight towns in the campgrounds. A number of campers use sun-heated portable showers. According to state law, it is illegal to dispose of waste water into any state-owned natural or artificial lake. Additionally you are requested to dispose of this water through appropriate sewage access. Please do not dump portable showers on the ground. Return to the Information Index RAGBRAI is a leisurely ride-not a race. You will get the most enjoyment out of it if you have trained for the ride. Plan on riding at least 500 training miles as you get ready for RAGBRAI week. The route is always challenging, so the more miles you put into training, the more you will be able to enjoy the event. The daily mileage averages more than 70 miles a day, and ranges from 49 to 95 miles per day. The Iowa terrain can vary from flat to very steep hills. RAGBRAI should not be your training, but a culmination of your training effort. The biggest cause of injuries is lack of conditioning. If you are unable to complete the ride, you are responsible for your own transportation home, but RAGBRAI personnel will advise with travel logistics whenever possible. Personal Preparation Tips from Register Host Brian Duffy I have dabbled in every type of cycling from criterium racing to a few ultra-marathon events. It was through the ultra-marathon experience that I discovered riding 400 kilometers in a day can make the hands go numb and that is not a good thing for someone in my business. In addition to the host gig, I have inherited Karras' traditional training tips column. For those of you who live in Iowa or other northern climes, our winters are not conducive to outdoor riding. Many of you are forced to sit on a trainer, rollers or take spinning classes to get your cycling fix. I'm sure one thing that you have found is how exceedingly difficult it is to force yourself to sit on a trainer for an hour, even with a whole library of old Tour de France tapes to keep you pedaling. The key to indoor cycling workouts is to vary the types and intensity. One day a week, work on hill climbs doing a group of steady efforts lasting five to seven minutes a piece. Another day, work in an easy gear and concentrate on your pedal stroke. Another day, practice short hard intervals that get you close to your maximum heart rate. If you feel nauseous or light-headed while doing a workout, stop immediately. Many health clubs offer spinning classes that incorporate many of the techniques already mentioned. Don't forget that cycling uses other parts of your body, not just your legs, heart and lungs. Do crunches for the abdominal muscles because strong abs help decrease the chance of back problems. Push ups and bicep curls with weights are great exercises for your arms. If you find you are experiencing shoulder or neck pain when riding, try this exercise. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with your arms relaxed at your sides. Shrug your shoulders for three sets of 10 reps. Some people wait until it gets warm outside before attempting that first ride of the year. Don't wait! If the roads are clear of snow and ice, bundle up and head out on your bike. One major mistake that many people make is to charge out on their first ride and mash big gears until their knees explode. Start out with short rides and spin, spin, spin. The French have a term for a supple, smooth pedal stroke. They call it souplesse. That's your goal! Slowly add miles to your rides and try to make sure you begin your ride by heading into the spring winds to push you home when you are tiring. Take advantage of the wide selection of two-day weekend rides in the late spring and early summer. These are the kinds of rides you need to get accustomed to longer rides on consecutive days. A base of at least 600 miles with a healthy dose of hills thrown in should go a long way to prepare you for the rigors of RAGBRAI. One of the questions neophyte RAGBRAI riders invariably ask is what kind of bike to get for the ride. In years past, a majority of bikes on the ride were the typical drop-handled road variety. Over the last few years, tandems, hybrids, mountain bikes, and recumbents have been showing up in increasing numbers. It really depends on what type of bike you are comfortable riding. People with shoulder and back problems might ride a mountain or hybrid bike because it allows them to sit in a more upright position. Gearing is another area where personal preference comes into play. Many RAGBRAI riders like a third chain ring known as a "granny gear." This small chain ring allows a rider to spin comfortably up even the biggest hill. One of the greatest cycling inventions in my opinion has been the clipless pedal. The system incorporates technology first used on ski bindings. A cleat attached to the sole of a cycling shoe clicks into the pedal. The pedal can be adjusted for lateral movement which eliminates a lot of knee problems associated with the older toe clip system that locked your shoe into one position. What to wear on RAGBRAI? You see everything from jeans to bikinis. I personally wouldn't recommend either. A helmet is a number one necessity. Bike shorts are advisable. And don't be embarrassed about wearing those lycra numbers. Everybody else is wearing them too. If you really don't want to wear something that looks like it was painted on you, many bike shops have alternative shorts that have a padded seat. Cycling gloves are another must. Many of the gloves have gel padding which helps reduce road vibration. To steal a phrase from an old TV show, "Let's be careful out there." RAGBRAI has close to 10,000 riders of all different levels of experience on the road at one time. Accidents are bound to happen, but RIDING RIGHT can reduce many of them. Essentially practice the same common sense that you use every day in the car. Don't turn right from the left lane in your car and don't do it on a bike. Signal when merging with traffic in a car, and signal when merging on your bike. Ride your bike like you would drive your car. Practice road etiquette. Slower riders generally stay over to the right, sometimes, especially on hills and at corners, they move further to the left. If you are smoking up from behind, be patient, slow down and don't scream at them, "ON YOUR LEFT!" Announce signals in a calm and clear manner. We don't allow road rage on RAGBRAI. You have already read it several times in this guide, but it bears repeating that this is not a race. This is a discovery tour of Iowa. Scenery and communities along the way are meant to be savored. I can tell you that every community along the route is excited to have you visit them. They have spent thousands of dollars and untold volunteer hours just to welcome you to their little piece of the world. So when you come to RAGBRAI, leave your cell phones, palm pilots and all other tools of the ever-quickening world at home...slow down and enjoy! Return to the Information Index Travel to the starting point of RAGBRAI and back home from the ending point of the ride is each rider's responsibility. Many rely on relatives and friends for transportation while others take chartered buses offered by bicycle clubs, shops and other organizations. Because the route changes each year, you must wait until you receive confirmation that you were selected before you will be able to schedule any flights or make charter arrangements. The RAGBRAI office will be glad to answer any logistical questions you might have. If you are coming from out-of-state, the starting host town usually coordinates a shuttle from the nearest commercial airport. The starting town also will put this information on their web site that will be linked to ragbrai.org. You also could choose to fly into Des Moines and take a charter to the starting town and a charter back to Des Moines at the end of the ride. For transportation to and from the start and the end of the route, consult the list of charters. If you call or write to any charter, you must have a wristband number to prove that you are a rider with credentials. Return to the Information Index Legal restrictions exist for the use of the RAGBRAI® name, marks and logos. Vendors are not allowed to use the name "RAGBRAI®" or any derivative thereof without written permission from The Des Moines Register. The marks and names RAGBRAI® and Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa™ are and shall be the exclusive property of The Des Moines Register and Tribune Company. Both the RAGBRAI and RIDE RIGHT® logos are registered trademarks, and therefore cannot be used without prior written permission of The Des Moines Register. Only official RAGBRAI bicycle shops and the Friends of RAGBRAI have limited permission to use these marks on t-shirts, ads, etc. Permission for all other uses must come from RAGBRAI. We will take enforcement action against those found using any of the above marks without written permission. Return to the Information Index Any vehicle accompanying RAGBRAI participants during the week must have a vehicle pass adhered to the lower-right hand corner on the inside of the windshield. Drivers and other non-riders traveling in vehicles must wear a non-rider band during RAGBRAI. Please Note: You do not need a vehicle pass if you plan to park your vehicle at the starting or ending towns during the week of RAGBRAI. In an effort to control traffic congestion on the routes and in the towns, we must limit the number of passes we issue each year. The number of vehicle passes is limited to only 1,500. The computer lottery first assigns vehicle passes to groups of five or more who have requested vehicle passes because groups have the greatest need for a support vehicle. If there are passes left to assign from the original 1,500, it will then randomly assign passes to smaller groups. If for any reason you do not need your vehicle pass, please send it to the RAGBRAI office so it can be distributed to someone else. RAGBRAI officials and the Iowa State Patrol will prepare a route for support vehicles that avoids the riders' route and leads drivers directly into the next overnight community. The map of the support route will be available only at the Information Centers in the starting and overnight towns, and at the Register's vans parked near the Information Center in the campground and in each downtown area. Our number one concern is the safety of the riders and we're sure it's yours also. The bicycle route isn't closed to motor vehicles, but we ask your cooperation by not driving on it. By accepting a vehicle pass, you agree not to travel on the bike route and not to go into any pass-through towns. If you are found on the bicycle route, the Iowa State Patrol will remove your vehicle pass, and your campground privileges will be forfeited. We have been advised by the Iowa State Patrol that, for your safety, all speed limits and motor vehicle laws will be closely enforced on all highways leading to overnight towns. Please drive carefully. Each day one of the pass-through towns is designated as a meeting town for you and your riders. We will indicate on the support vehicle map the routes into the meeting towns that you may use to meet your riders and enjoy the hospitality of the local residents. Return to the Information Index RAGBRAI participants are assured a wide selection of food from which to choose during the week. Food vendors and other types of vendors will be everywhere along the route. RAGBRAI does not make any decisions about what the vendors may offer to sell to participants, nor does RAGBRAI receive any funds from vendor fees. The vendor must have an Iowa Sales Tax Permit if they are a for-profit business. If they are selling food, the vendor must obtain an Iowa Retail Food Establishment License, which requires an inspection. Vendors who wish to set up within the city limits of an overnight town or a town that RAGBRAI passes through need to contact the vendor chairperson of the organizing committee in each town where they wish to be a vendor. The organizing committees determine the vendor fees, which are used by the communities to cover the costs of services provided to RAGBRAI participants. These services include additional sanitation services, additional law enforcement for traffic control, additional medical personnel, etc. Vendors setting up inside city limits are identified as OFFICIAL RAGBRAI VENDORS by a sign or a permit posted in their booth. Vendors choosing to set up outside of city limits must obtain permission from the person whose property they are on. The county must be contacted regarding any county permit or ordinance. Additionally, for safety reasons, the vendor should set up on the right-hand side of the road and allow enough room to allow for bicycle stopping and parking. Vendors setting up without proper permission or proper documentation may be asked to leave by the property owner or by state and county health officials. If the location selected by the vendor creates a safety or health risk, law enforcement officials may require the vendor to move. Who to Contact
Find your helmet, make sure it fits correctly, and pack it now. Wear it whenever you are on a bike during RAGBRAI! Here are some tips to help make sure you and your helmet are meant for each other. Three Tips to Help Insure a Proper Helmet Fit
Bicycle Equipment: Bicycle shops can handle most any mechanical need you have, but you might consider bringing a small repair kit that includes a tire, spare tube, tire irons and small wrenches. In addition, a rear view mirror, bike gloves, pump, bike bag, rain gear, bicycle lock and water bottles are necessary equipment. Please put identification on everything you bring along on RAGBRAI. Personal Hygiene Precautions While RAGBRAI has never had a reported incidence of food-borne illness causing gastrointestinal symptoms that spread among the riders, the potential is always there. A ride in another state suffered an outbreak of diarrheal illness, which might have been better controlled by riders practicing improved personal hygiene habits. A few tips to prevent you from becoming ill include:
If you would like an entry form, you may download it from the web site or if you prefer to receive a form by mail, please send a self-addressed, business-sized envelope with two stamps on it to: RAGBRAI Should you need additional information about RAGBRAI, please write to the above address, or call the RAGBRAI Hotline 1-800-I RIDE IA (474-3342). Staff email addresses |
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