Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on February 8, 2010 at 10:20am

Steven, your assumption about finishing early on a multi-day ride is right. If you're to the rest town by noon, then you don't have much to do other than hang around in town. I suppose you could go back on the day's route backwards then come back to the overnight town.

As far as this year's RAGBRAI is concerned, it's one of the flattest route in the history of the ride. Last year's total climbing was around 23000 feet. This year's is only around 14000 feet - and that's over 6 and a half days mind you.

While RAGBRAI is fun, if you're looking for climbing, riding the Dairyland Dare looks like it would be the better choice this year.

Though you could always do both.

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Permalink Reply by Steven on February 8, 2010 at 10:27am

It's not so much the climbing that i that i'm looking for (not that i could avoid it either), i'd just prefer a longer daily route. I'd love to do RAGBRAI though. You're right, i could try both. :)

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on February 8, 2010 at 1:08pm

While they're not multi-day events, you should check out the Brevets scheduled by Great Lakes Randonneurs (http://www.glrrando.org/)

Check out the Randonneurs group here on Chainlink...

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on February 8, 2010 at 2:10pm

If you like to ride steady and fast RAGBRAI may not be the ride for you. The draw of RAGBRAI (for us at least) was stopping in the towns along the way and enjoy the food and local attractions. We had an informal rule that we stop at every place that had farm animals that one could pet.

Rides like Dairyland Dare aren't group rides per se, but given the large number of riders, I doubt you would be truly alone at any time.

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Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on February 8, 2010 at 5:28pm

You'll be given an annotated cue sheet and painted street markers or sign indications may or may not be present. There will be tons of volunteers and riders in spandex. Dairyland Dare is very hilly and challenging and ranks up there with Horribly Hillly. It brings out some tough guns so make sure you get in some solid base training on some hills. Riding hard and fast is easy on flats. Also I would recommend the 100K for your first time. And for the record, the chances are probably reasonably high you may get lost your first ride if you're not familiar with the area. Happens to a lot of people and that 100K just became 125K.

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Permalink Reply by Brett Ratner on February 8, 2010 at 6:17pm

I don't think RAGBRAI and Dairyland Dare represent an apples to apples comparison. If your goal is to push yourself, cover lots of miles, and get to the end as fast as possible, RAGBRAI won't appeal to you...it's more about the ride than the destination. Dairyland Dare, Horribly Hilly Hundred, and Insane Terrain Challenge seem more up your ally.

Last year, I did Dairyland Dare's sister ride, The Insane Terrain Challenge. It was 124 miles, lots and lots of climbing (13,500 feet according to my Garmin)...ending with a 1 mile, 1,000 foot climb into Blue Mounds State Park.

With the constant climbing and decending, it was very difficult to stay in a group. Pacelines don't really work, and since some people are fast on the descent while others are fast on the climbs, people tend to spread out or pair up with someone with similar ability.

The course is very well marked. If you are looking for the markers, it's difficult to get off course. Plus you have a map.

On this particular ride, expect water and food stops about every 25 miles. You get a timing chip with Daryland Dare, so that would enable you to see how your riding stacks up to others.

I hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Steven on February 9, 2010 at 2:00am

Thanks for all the replies and insight. Dairyland is definitely something i'm going to have to put on my "to-do" list for this summer.

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Permalink Reply by chixieonfixie on February 9, 2010 at 2:06am

Sweet! We'll check back on August 15th and see if it worked out for you.

Steven said:

Thanks for all the replies and insight. Dairyland is definitely something i'm going to have to put on my "to-do" list for this summer.

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Permalink Reply by flores on February 9, 2010 at 4:26am

I did the Dairyland Dare last year 266K. If you've never done long rides (over 50 miles) I would recommend the 100 K. Other good rides in the area are the Horribly Hilly Hundreds (sold-out the day it open for registration Jan 15) and the Insane Terrain Challenge.

I usually make a few trips before the rides to get some miles with elevation. The roads are good with great scenery and hills (hills!). Good places to stay at are Blue Mounds State Park or Governor Dodge State Park.

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on February 9, 2010 at 8:07am

If you're into enduro:

http://www.n24hc.org/

National 24Hr Challenge...

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Permalink Reply by Stewart Schilling on June 29, 2010 at 4:30am

Early Registration for the 8/14 Dairyland Dare ends on July 4th.
On July 5th the reg fee goes up $15 from $80 to $95.
The ride is limited to 1,500 participants and is presently 71% full.

website: http://www.dairylanddare.com

Here's what each participant gets :

-Chip Timing (not a race, but we all like to see how we compare...)

-1 pair of Dairyland Dare socks (Sock Guy brand)

-1 Dairyland Dare Pint glass.

-1 Dairyland Dare key chain bottle opener from Resource Revival http://www.resourcerevival.com/

-Fully marked route + Detailed map and cue sheet which is printed on waterproof paper – you can sweat on it as much as you want and then re-use it. Ours have even made it through the wash in a jersey pocket.

-1 reusable tote bag – you’ll receive at packet pick up.

-Special Needs bags – at the start of the ride we’ll have designated bins for each rest stop. You can throw in a comfort item and pick it up at the rest stop of your choice.

-Rider Return bags – overdressed for the ride? Drop jacket, arm warmers etc at the rest stop and item will be returned to the start of the ride for pick up.

-Mechanical support throughout the course

-SAG wagons which drive the opposite direction of the route. If you need assistance you’ll see the SAG approaching you instead of passing you on your side of the road. SAGS are outfitted with amber lights and carry a fully stocked tool kit, a basic first aid kit, bottled water and a HAM radio.

-HAM radio support : Cell phone service is sketchy at best.

-Fully stocked rest stops – we try and have a smorgasbord at each stop ranging from basic rest stop items (water, HEED, Hammer Gel, Endurolytes etc) to pizza, brats, fresh fruit, etc. You will not go hungry on the ride – we promise.

-Post ride meal which includes Furthermore Beer http://www.furthermorebeer.com/

-Post ride door prizes.

-Post ride massage therapists.

-Charitable donations to all volunteers. We donate to charities, organizations, clubs etc in exchange for their volunteer time. So, each volunteer that you see is fundraising via the Dairyland Dare.

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