RAGBRAI XLI Countdown – July 21-27, 2013
Friends of RAGBRAI

RAGBRAI

Driver Safety



Here are some important tips and information for RAGBRAI Support Vehicle Drivers:

  1. Be sure to read all available information from the Iowa Department of Transportation regarding operating buses, trucks and motor homes in Iowa.  www.iamvd.com/omve/busasmotorhome.pdf
  2. Attend the RAGBRAI Support Vehicle Drivers Meeting at 4:00 p.m. during the RAGBRAI Expo on the opening Saturday, before RAGBRAI starts.
  3. Stay off the bicycle route.  Support vehicles will have a different route to the next overnight town.  Follow the RAGBRAI Support Vehicle Maps, do not create your own.  GPS, MapQuest and State Maps are great tools, but you should follow the RAGBRAI Support Vehicle Map.  GPS systems might guide you on roads that have bridges out or that are closed for RAGBRAI routing.  The Support Vehicle Map will keep you away from the bike route and will guide you on a path that is suitable for all vehicles.  The Support Vehicle Route is also supported, in case you have mechanical troubles.
  4. Participating in RAGBRAI as a support vehicle driver could be addictive. (You may catch the RAGBRAI bug like everyone else.
  5. Make sure you check in with the Information Center at every overnight town. This helps your group find out where you’re camping, and also gives the Information Center your location in case of emergencies.
  6. Please be courteous. You are a guest in the community and should act like one.  Please keep in mind that the people helping you in these towns are volunteers!
  7. Turn your generators off when they’re not needed. It is hard to enjoy the great outdoors with the fumes and noise of multiple generators.
  8. Be patient. There will be lines everywhere you go, even when you’re driving.
  9. Be careful. When driving a large straight truck or pulling a trailer, be especially aware of what or who is behind or beside your vehicle.
  10. Overhead clearance is critical. Remember, you may have a bike rack on top of your vehicle that could hit tree branches or signs.
  11. Share. You are sharing camping sites with more than 10,000 bikers. Give everyone his/her space.
  12. Be neat. Encourage your group to pick up after themselves. Have garbage bags on hand for trash. Before you leave in the morning, walk your area. You’ll find the misplaced billfold, watch, sunglasses and bike computer. Your group will appreciate your efforts.
  13. Always buckle up and don’t drink alcoholic beverages if you’re going to be driving.
  14. Make sure you’re getting plenty of rest the night before driving so you stay sharp. Drowsiness can lead to becoming distracted and inattentive.

Have a safe and fun trip!

Advertisement

Latest Blog Posts

  • Oklahoma Tornado

    Text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to #Oklahoma relief. Spread the word. #gannettcares. Our hearts go out to Oklahomans affected by the tornado, and their friends and families.

  • RIDE RIGHT Safety Tip #1: The RIGHT Stuff

    If you have committed to riding RAGBRAI this year, it all starts with Tip #1, the RIGHT stuff. And when I say stuff, I mean bicycle.

  • Tragic House Fire Takes Life of Former RAGBRAI Dream Teamer

    It is with great sadness to report that the Dream Team lost one of their former members in a tragic house fire this week. Nyakouth Choul, 17, was found ...

  • Who’s Riding RAGBRAI this Summer?

    Where are people coming from to ride RAGBRAI? What types of bikes are they riding? How many Iowans? Average age of riders? Lots of information about ...

  • Karras: Ready to RIDE RAGBRAI Again?

    As the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa looms in the near distance, two notions and a question scurry about in my mind. The question, of ...

  • RAGBRAI Training: Training Plan in Excel File

    Several people have asked for Coach Ertl's Training Plan in an excel file, so here it is

  • RAGBRAI Training: Endurance – More is Better when Preparing for RAGBRAI

    I had a frightening thought as I looked out the window this past weekend and saw 3 inches of snow on the ground. RAGBRAI begins in two and a ...

  • New this Year – Ship your Camping Gear and Luggage

    High Country Shipping in cooperation with RAGBRAI is pleased to offer GEAR Forward! Ship your camping gear and luggage to RAGBRAI and have it waiting for you at the start of ...

  • Looking for Information on the Host Communities?

    Looking for the RAGBRAI XLI Overnight Towns web sites? What bands will be playing that night? Facebook pages? Twitter links? All that information is a click ...

  • Raccoon River Valley Trail North Loop “Grand Opening” on June 1 in Perry

    Mark your cycling calendars for the “Grand Opening” of the Raccoon River Valley Trail North Loop scheduled for June 1, 2013 at Noon. This ceremony will take place in ...

Latest Videos

  • RAGBRAI: RIDE Right - 10 safety tips

    Check out these 10 tips for a safe RAGBRAI.

  • Mr. Pork Chop and the quest for the perfectly cut chop

    Paul "Mr. Pork Chop" Bernhard of Bancroft is a legendary RAGBRAI vendor. His son, Matt, now runs the family biz and is on a quest for perfectly cut chops.

  • RAGBRAI XLI: 2013 full route unveiled

    RAGBRAI Director T.J. Juskiewicz unveils the full 406-mile route for July's installment of the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.

  • RAGBRAI Director talks about route

    T.J. Juskiewicz, RAGBRAI director, talks with The Des Moines Register's Lynn Hicks and Michael Morain shortly after the announcement of overnight towns for RAGBRAI XLI.

  • RAGBRAI XLI route announcement

    RAGBRAI Director T.J. Juskiewicz reveals the overnight towns for RAGBRAI XLI at the RAGBRAI route announcement party Saturday, Jan. 26, in Des Moines.

  • RAGBRAI director reacts to Lance Armstrong doping

    RAGBRAI Director T.J. Juskiewicz reacts to Lance Armstrong's doping confession. Armstrong has ridden RAGBRAI several times in the ride's 40 years.

  • RAGBRAI 2012: Chalk Walk

    RAGBRAI 2012: Amy Clark of Midlothian, TX, drew a crab as she helped Chalk the Walk in Mt. Vernon. She was enjoying her first RAGBRAI.

  • RAGBRAI 2012: Lucky's first RAGBRAI

    RAGBRAI 2012: Laura Krouse of Rural Mt. Vernon, and her dog Lucky came out to watch the RAGBRAI riders pass by.

  • RAGBRAI 2012: 'One mile to Springville'

    RAGBRAI 2012: A group of kids high-five RAGRAI riders on their way into Springville on July 27.

  • RAGBRAI: Celebrating 40 years

    RAGBRAI: A look back at 40 years of the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.

Find us socially

Email Signup

Sign up for the latest RAGBRAI news and notes (if there is no news in a day, you won’t get an e-mail).

© 2013 RAGBRAI | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy