RAGBRAI

What to Pack

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

• The shake test. Put the helmet on your head and move it side to side and front and back, making sure the fit pads hold the helmet securely to your head.
• Make sure the helmet sits level on your head. You should have about a finger’s width between your eyebrow and the bottom of the helmet when the straps are tight. If the helmet tends to creep up where it looks more like a sunbonnet, the straps in front of the ear will need to be shortened.
• Most importantly make sure that your straps are adjusted correctly. The straps should feel somewhat tight so that when you open your mouth, you feel the helmet press firmly against your head. You also should not be able to pull the helmet off when the chin strap is tightened.

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.

Camping Equipment: For camping you’ll need a duffel bag, sleeping bag, pillow, pad, tent, ground cloth, rope, stakes and a flashlight.

Toiletries: Pack a towel, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, skin lotion, shampoo, soap, razor, nail clippers, brush/comb, hair ties/barrettes, deodorant, mirror and toilet tissue.

Clothes: T-shirts, shorts, a jacket, pants, warm-up suit, underwear, socks, shoes, thongs, sleepwear, swimsuit, and sweatbands/bandannas should get you through the week.

First Aid: Pack aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamins, Band-Aids, gauze, tape, first aid cream, lip balm, sun block, insect repellent, safety pins, special medicines, Campho-Phenique, and sanitary protection if needed with disposable bags. Paramedic teams patrol the bicycle route and emergency medical treatment will be available in each campground.

Miscellaneous: Bring an alarm clock, spare glasses, sunglasses, a scouting knife, camera, film, watch, earplugs, ID, money, traveler’s checks, credit cards, journal, pens, pencils, stamps, address book, several plastic trash bags for rain protection and zip-lock bags. Be sure to enclose everything in a water-tight plastic bag.

Please put identification on everything you bring along on RAGBRAI.

Baggage Transport

The baggage tag permits you to put your bag on RAGBRAI’s baggage semitruck. 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.

Daily riders must write their wristband number(s) on their baggage tag.

Although each rider is allowed one large, soft texture 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 or bike cases. Bags should weigh no more than 40 pounds.

Be sure to have your gear at the RAGBRAI baggage semitruck by 8 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. We will not be responsible for baggage left at the semitruck in the mornings before it is open nor after 6 p.m. Baggage security is provided from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. only.