jjshoe said: Not a chance I want to wiggle out of it! http://www.warriordash.com/register2011_minnesota.php

Sounds like a hoot!!!

That would be a good primer for the ‘Death Race’ …  enjoy & good luck

jjshoe said: Amanda, setting up a tent is childs play, also why I laugh at the fully inclusive charters charging $400+ for tent/bed service.

Child’s play? Yes. The 6th day in a row after riding 70 plus miles? Not so much! Even more fun: Taking down a dew-soaked tent in the pre dawn darkness on that 6th day. Priceless!!!

All together, I’ve spent two years of my life in a tent (and never been homeless). But after almost two dozen cross state tours, the novelty has worn off. I mean, this is a vacation. If you have the bucks, a tent service is a nice extra. 

Bobthebiker said:

jjshoe said: Amanda, setting up a tent is childs play, also why I laugh at the fully inclusive charters charging $400+ for tent/bed service.

Child’s play? Yes. The 6th day in a row after riding 70 plus miles? Not so much! Even more fun: Taking down a dew-soaked tent in the pre dawn darkness on that 6th day. Priceless!!!

All together, I’ve spent two years of my life in a tent (and never been homeless). But after almost two dozen cross state tours, the novelty has worn off. I mean, this is a vacation. If you have the bucks, a tent service is a nice extra. 

Yes Bob I agree!!!  I’m traveling with PBV and they provide the tent, put it up and take it down every day.  I leave my bags inside their tent in the AM and they magically appear inside in the PM.  I believe they employ an army of magic gnomes who do all the stuff I don’t wish to do!  I pay the price and enjoy the service!!!  It’s a sick world and I’m a happy man!!!!

Looked at the link for your obstacle course race and they don’t bother to say when it starts, but with so many age categories and a wave starting every 30 minutes it looks like it will be a long day.
If you expect to catch a charter on Saturday evening, I’d say forget it. It’s a 500-mile ride across Iowa. Most leave on Saturday morning. Looks like you gotta either wangle your own transportation across Iowa or choose between a three-mile run or a week of riding.

Amanda said: Maybe you’ll have to drive to the tart town on your own then join a charter that brings you back to the start town to your car. Just a thought. I’m sure that would be a lot of extra driving but that is an option.

oh, drive me to the TART town!
Which way are you coming from?Maybe depending on the start town, you could rent a car one way. Maybe someone else will be flying into the end town and renting a car to the start too. Another month and we will know those towns.

Okay, START town, is that better? Sheesh, I was just trying to help the poor guy out!! Of course, maybe he might want to skip the run for a tart town. ;)

Amanda said: Okay, START town, is that better? Sheesh, I was just trying to help the poor guy out!! Of course, maybe he might want to skip the run for a tart town. ;)

I imagine nobody on this here forum prefers the idea of a start town to a tart town, Dear Princess – I know I don’t.

xo

Amanda said: Okay, START town, is that better? Sheesh, I was just trying to help the poor guy out!! Of course, maybe he might want to skip the run for a tart town. ;)

I wish somebody had told me there was gonna be a “TART” town this year!  H.E.L.L. I don’t even care if they have curbs!

admin?????????

helenheart said: admin?????????

are you reading this??????

NOPE!!!

That’s cos they’re too busy at their night job – Airport Security!

jjshoe said: 3) Does anyone know a charter service that leaves from the end town, to the start town, in the evening? I’m running a 3 mile obsticle course saturday morning.

Your best bet is probably to meet a charter in the start town and return there at the end of the ride.  According to the RAGBRAI Charter page, the Out of Staters offers an option to do just that.  Others may also – OOS was just the most obvious.

I’ve used a Charter twice ~ Great experience.  I drive (from Detroit) to the end town, and both times, signed-up for a home stay on Friday night.  Met some great Iowa people and had a blast.
On Saturday am, the Charter bussed us to the start town ~ This past year, we had a home stay there also, which was great.  Another home stay on Sunday evening, and finally camped with the Charter on Monday evening.  They hauled the bags each day, and we packed a small bag and rode our bikes to the home stay.
Charters have all the services you could need, are very reasonably priced, and are run by some very nice people we got to know.  It is a good way to go unless you have a large group or club, with motivated people who can make all the arrangements needed.
You’ll love it!

Ts is correct, the Out of Staters have run a return bus to the start town from the end of the ride in the past.  Pork Belly also runs a bus back to the Omaha airport from the end of the ride.   After the route is announced and the charters update their web sites check the options available. 

Personnaly I would skip the Minnesota Dash.  If you run in one of the first waves and leave right away you will miss the trophy awards, beer drinking, chow and good times with your buddies.  RAGBRAI is once a year and the Dash takes place in multiple locations across the nation.  Why not run the Dash in Illinois in June so you can really enjoy the event and then ride RAGBRAI in July???  Or run the Dash in Louisiana???  The Cajuns know how to party!!!

RIDE RIGHT

robinett2 said: As a 1st timer also, I am looking for a charter service.  I see you guys are talking about services, but didn’t say what ones.  Can you give a recommendation?

I am the Charter Director for the QCBC. You can go to our web site for more information. http://www.qcbc.org Or PM me. We have 200 plus riders every year. We use 55 passenger luxury motor coaches for transport to and from the ride. Bikes are hauled to the start town in an Allied Van Line Semi. A crew of 6 support staff to take care of the riders.