There's a great place to get some mileage in without any cars in sight over Memorial Day Weekend. The hills are lower than in Michigan, but you don't have to drive to our Bike the Drive. Just think of your lowered carbon footprint. You can still sign up at bikethedrive.org
On Memorial Day, all RAGBRAI'ers and other cyclists are invited to a celebration of the installation of my new artistic bike rack in the back yard.
Time: May 31, 2010 from 2pm to 7pm
Location: DePaul Neighborhood
Street: 1113 W Webster Ave - back yard
City/Town: Chicago
Phone: 773 248 5499
Event Type: social
Organized By: Kathy Schubert 'n Suzy Schnauzer
We can talk about RAGBRAI and make plans to share rides and/or cycling back from Iowa to Chicago after the ride.
for those who want to ride back to Chicago on Sunday and maybe into Monday, a ragbrai forum has been started on this topic. i figure it would be easier if everyone can talk to each other on one website. http://ragbrai.com/index.php/forum/ragbrai-xxxviii/dubuque-to-chica...
Jeremy
For the virgins concerned about food, there's a long thread on the Ragbrai forum which is perfect for procrastinating. Personally, I forgo all coffee and dairy for the week, with the exception of the dairy included in pie.
I don't think anybody said he was riding without registering for RAGBRAI. He just said he joined this online group just now. I hope nobody will be riding unregistered because it's just not fair to the rest of us who did pay. That goes for Bike the Drive too. Please don't be a bandit here or in Iowa.
They sell passes that are turned in at the starting city. I know the guy who sells them. and if you have a pass you're not using, he can sell it for you.
Now as far as groups that will take you to the start and sag you back, you could try to find C.U.B.S. It's led by a guy named Jerry who is the Mayor of Lincolnwood. The Ragbrai website may have contact information for that group. There's also a gourmet group or two that originate in the suburbs somewhere that might be of interest, but because they have a cook and gourmet meals and stay indoors, they do charge a lot of money. So does C.U.B.S.
If you can get yourself to Iowa, to the end city, there are lots of options. I already recommended oosbicycleclub.com. They are terrific.
As to riding back, I'd like to do that, providing you won't consider me a wus for staying in a motel. I think it's time for another gathering. I'm willing to offer my living room and a Pot Luck party - how about Memorial Day - the day after Bike the Drive?
Jeremy, if you're not a registered rider then you missed the boat on this one as registration is closed and the lottery has been drawn. I do know that some charter services require a rider to be registered, you'll need to contact them. However, you do not need to be registered to ride the route but should you fall and require EMT services, the registration fee covers that instance. Some vendors also give a discount to registered riders but quite honestly, it's minimal.
Regarding Amtrak to Omaha, it's a long undependable trip. You can also ride to Sioux City from Omaha in less than a day. If you stick to the Nebraska side of the Missouri, it's pretty much a straight shot north on highway 75 which has some rollers, can be kind of pretty, has a wide shoulder and is heavily truck trafficked. Also, Nebraskans look upon bike riders much like they would as aliens which isn't all that kindly. I paint a pretty picture of the state, don't I?
It sounds like your going self-supported, on other words "bagging it"? The baggers are a fairly tight knit group from I can tell. Personally, I think they're all perfectly crazy to do that when you can sag your gear on a perfectly nice vehicle instead. Regarding finding friends on Ragbrai, you'll have no problem. I've ridden with people from all 50 states and around the world. I count as very close friends a couple of women I struck up a conversation with about bike shoes of all things going up a hill on my first day in 1997.
You have no idea what kind of fun you're getting into.
Jeremy - there are chicago based groups that ride to and from the RAGBRAI finish. I believe they transport your gear in a truck.
not sure how to find them ... maybe in the ads in the back of
chicago athlete magazine ? momemtum ? anyone ? bueller ?
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