717 kms in 7 days

RAGBRAI - Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa

Every year 10,000+ people ride their bikes across the state of Iowa in RAGBRAI. Along the way passing through farmland and country towns, sampling the local sights, smells and tastes. It was a great experience, tough both physically and mentally but thoroughly worth the trip over.

RAGBRAI 2011 route - Starting in Glenwood near the Missouri River in the west of the state and finishing at Davenport by the Mississippi. Traditionally riders dip their back tire in the Missouri at the start and then the front tire in the Mississippi at the end. This year the ride passed through my family home town of Carroll, even more reason to attempt it this year. Also the route ran close to where many of my Uncles, Aunts and cousins live, which was great for catching up and also meant we had a place to stay for most nights instead of having to camp. There is nothing better after a long day of riding in the heat than to take a shower, relax in air conditioned comfort and sleep in a real bed - it was very much appreciated by us all.


Elevation - I'm told this years course was pretty hilly with more than 20,000 feet of climb (>6 kms). There were some tough days in there. Biggest hill was Twister Hill on Day 3 (spike in graph just before Boone) which was a very steep 2.1 kms of climb at the end of a long day of riding (115 kms). Managed to ride up every hill even if it meant going into Granny Gear.

Team Lead Dog - Jill had blue jerseys made up for our extended family team with the name and logo on the back. Many questions/comments from other riders on whether we were lead as in at the front or lead the heavy metal.

Day 1 - Lynda, Matt, Jill and I ready to get started at Glenwood

Day 4 - Randy, Jim, me, Andy, Jan, Jill, Karen, Lynda and Dee

Our most important team member was my Aunt Lois, who was our driver and team sag wagon. Couldn't have done it without her.

Melbourne, Iowa