Welcome to the new RAGBRAI web site
Tue, May 5, 2009 | by TJ Juskiewicz
Does something look different? Well it was time to keep up with technology and reconstruct our RAGBRAI web site. I think you’ll find it has a few new bells and whistles, while still extremely informative. We appreciate the suggestions over the years from RAGBRAIers on ways to improve our web site and look forward to hearing your feedback on this new site.
To help you along, I’d like to point out a few things to make your visit to our new site a bit easier to get around:
Navigation Structure
You’ll see that the navigation bars have moved from going up and down on the left-hand side of the page to now go horizontally across the top of the page. Some of the topics have been tweaked as well.
Main Features
The new site will have a few rotating features that are splashed across the top of the page. They will be linked to stories of interest that we want to share with you. You’ll also be able to sign up for an RSS feed to inform you when new stories are posted. Want to get any new stories emailed to you every day? Want to get a text alert when big RAGBRAI news is announced (such as overnight towns)?
Photo Galleries & Videos
The photo galleries will be easy to find, right below the main features. The photo galleries will be from both The Des Moines Register photographers as well as (coming soon!) user submitted photos for all to enjoy. Videos will also have a prominent location on the home page at the bottom left-hand corner of the page. We will feature fun videos for The Des Moines Register photographers as well as user submitted videos as well as feature safety videos such as the “Riding Right” video.
Social Networking Links
We will have quick links to our presence on social networking sites Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.
Blogs
This is a new header that will feature frequent blog posts to keep you up to speed on RAGBRAI, cycling and Iowa happenings that might be of interest to RAGBRAIers. The blogs will take the place of the traditional E-Newsletter that was featured monthly.
About RAGBRAI
This topic will take the place of the old “RAGBRAI Basics” topic. Here you will find 2009 RAGBRAI Logistics, FAQs, General Information, and the History of RAGBRAI. You also find information about charters, bike shops, shuttles and bike shipping under “About RAGBRAI”.
Forums
Simply changes the name of “Message Boards” to “Forums.” The latest Forum Posts will also appear on the home page on the bottom right-hand side of the page so you can quickly see what people are chatting about.
More Links
These additional navigational links in the green boxes will be found on the right-hand side of the page and take you to other related sites such as the Dream Team, Iowa Bicycle Coalition, The NBTDA (National Bicycle Tour Director’s Association) as well as other topics such as RIDE RIGHT, the RAGBRAI Shop and the DesMoinesRegister.com site. You will also find contact information for RAGBRAI at these links.
We hope you enjoy the new site. If you have comments, question or suggestions, please send them my way (e-mail to tj@ragbrai.org).
– TJ Juskiewicz, RAGBRAI director
Tags: new RAGBRAI site
Hi TJ…
Looks great.
Have you thought about a ‘mobile’ version that we can pick up on BBerrys?
The general Information section is kind of overwhelming – maybe some sub-categories or at least a different/bolder font for topic headings.
I wonder if Charlie has an exterior camera on the MAC – a link to a live cam would be cool – even if it is the parking lot.
The 8 links on the right (Dream Team, etc.) seem to get lost in the RAGBRAI gear ad. Wonder if there is a way to emphasize them (especially Dream Team).
joe
Joe C – Thanks for the comments. We do plan to have the mobile version of the site in the future. Before RAGBRAI for sure. TJ
Looks good..definintely looks more professional and creative than the old site…I agree with Joe regarding the links on the right side navigation. I don’t keep up on web design and standards so I don’t claim to be an expert but I know when the screen gets resized the stuff on the right side gets cut off.
Otherwise, nice job incorporating all the latest and greatest technologies like flickr, twitter, etc..the mobile version would be really nice…..and appreciate the opportunity to leave comments.
Looks great gang – cleaner, leaner and downright keener
Looks OK, but would appreciate a link to the message boards at the top of the page rather than down towards the bottom.
Ignore or delete previous comment – I found the “forums” button.
Looks good. PLEEEEEZE print the daily maps on a white background. Lots of us print these off to carry each day, and they’re so hard to read with the mottled brown background. Thanks!
@MFBalvanz I don’t see any reason that we can’t do that. I’ll talk to the graphic artist about it.
Maps are now available with a white background. Find them here.
The new website looks fantastic! I do miss the old countdown.
Oops…..sorry….I just found the countdown.
I like the new look BUT my antique computer doesn’t like it. It crashes when I try to load the site.
Guess I’ll have to catch up with technology, too!
Nice update. Like the look and good to add the social networking features to compliment such a social event. Good job.
STIE IS VERY NICE I LIKE IT, ONE THING MISSING PUT THE COUNT DOWN CLOCK BACK IN THERE. IT IS LIKE RAGBRAI AND NO RIDERS.
The new design might be wonderful, but it makes my computer crash. Can’t use it…and that’s not good right before RAGBRAI coming up.
Where in the web site can you find the maps to download into a garmin Edge 705?
Site looks great!!
I’m sure the new RAGBRAI web site is great, but it won’t load on my computer and if won’t load on my computer what good does it do me. Technology that cannot be used is just technology.
Is it possible to get our vendor info on the shuttle route map or on info given to shuttle riders?
Thanks LeAnn
Love the new look, but please put the days, hours, minutes and seconds until RAGBRAI back on the top of the home page.
Thank you,
Chad
In the map section, on the flyover for Mt. Pleasant, Tom Vilsack is id-ed as “Commissioner of Agriculture”. I believe the correct title is Secretary of Agriculture.