who knew a 1/2 million kids could get together for 3 days of  fun and music, and have nothing but fun and music? Get Up! dance to the music! so maybe not Woodstock size, more like Iowa’s version, Wadena

Gypsy Rose said:

Zinger said:

Gypsy Rose said:
So, I’m not far off the mark when I describe RAGBRAI to friends as a form of rolling Woodstock.

~ Kevin

I read a lot of hype from noncyclists bashing RAGBRAI for being a big drunken orgy that leaves a path of destruction in its wake. I’m sure that’s how some people described Woodstock. What I have found is that the worst of the drunken stupidness is often performed by the townies. We riders have a good time, watch out for each other, and are generally pretty considerate and thoughtful. That said, you can usually find whatever type of entertainment you want. It took me 5 RAGBRAI’s before I saw a naked beer slide and one was definitely enough!!

When I think of Woodstock, I recall the images of a sea of humanity, including those who rollicked in the mud during and after the heavy rains (with and without clothes), turning the muddy slopes into massive slides for play.

For me, Woodstock represents the iconic gathering of the masses for the purpose of enjoying good times together. RAGBRAI represents a similar theme yet, instead of being stationary for a number of days with music as the central focus, RAGBRAI moves every day and is centered around the bicycle. The participants come from all walks of life. Their reasons for being drawn to the event are as varied as their numbers, but collectively they represent one of the greatest annual gatherings ever conceived.

Yep, I guess there will always be those who view Woodstock as a mass of writhing bodies engaged is an orgy of unprecedented proportions with destruction in its wake. But, I would venture to guess that there are greater numbers who remember it as a wonderful celebration of the joys of humanity at a grand scale.

That’s the connection that I make between that iconic rock concert called Woodstock and the annual celebration of RAGBRAI.

~ Kevin

They did not, however, attempt to repeat Woodstock year after year after year.  And the couple of times they did (1994 and 1999), it never lived up to the hype.

Maybe that’s why I’m so passionate in some of my views of RAGBRAI.  I wasn’t on the first or second, or even the third, but I did come along early enough to remember the simplicity of the event instead of the traveling circus that RAGBRAI has become.  We didn’t have things like “Bubba’s Pampered Pedallers”, corporate sponsors like Miller Beer, or licensing agreements as to who could offer what and to whom.  In fact, if someone on the side of the road waved you over and offered you a cold bottle of brewski on a hot day, like happened right downtown in Rising Sun back in 1979, you didn’t have the ISP or the Register’s ‘Party Patrol’ coming down on them like Carrie Nation with her hatchet.

We were small enough that we could put all of RAGBRAI in a city park or a high-school athletic field.  We didn’t need some professional traveling food service from North Carolina to show up and feed us, or some expensive band to show up and entertain us; the locals took care of that.  And they were happy to do that; we were guests in their town and they took pains to show themselves off to us; not like it is now where the mindset seems to be separate us from as much money as possible in a 24-hour period.

We also didn’t need what seems to be the largest gathering of converted school buses in North America or a rally of the Good Sam RV club as support.  We put up with some of the inconveniences like sleeping in a tent, accepting the vagarities of the weather.  We didn’t need 600-thread count sheets, air conditioning, personal masseuses or mechanics, and all the rest of the claptrap that has turned RAGBRAI into something other than the simple bicycle ride it started out as.

And do you what?  WE STILL HAD FUN ANYWAY!!!!!

Yes, I remember the good old days, and I still wish — no doubt in vain — that we could somehow return the ride to its roots.

-“BB”-

“Bicycle Bill” said:Yes, I remember the good old days, and I still wish — no doubt in vain — that we could somehow [return] to its roots.-“BB”-

Bill,

It’s going to be very interesting for me, returning to RAGBRAI after many years.  I’m sure it will be quite a contrast to those “good old days” that I remember so well. When you described some of the old ways in your post it was a reminder to me that I’m not coming back to the same event and that I’ll have to avoid basing expectations on the way I remember it.

Cheers,
~ Kevin

What really makes RAGBRAI special is that it is what you make of it. This will be my 9th year, so I’m still a relative newbie compared to some. Every year I’ve ridden has been different and some more enjoyable than others. Less enjoyable was the year I rode with a bad case of poison ivy!! But it’s a week out of the year that I can let my hair down a bit, dance during the day, drink beer on curbs, and socialize with a great group of people. Plus the riding’s not bad either!!

Zinger said: What really makes RAGBRAI special is that it is what you make of it. This will be my 9th year, so I’m still a relative newbie compared to some. Every year I’ve ridden has been different and some more enjoyable than others. Less enjoyable was the year I rode with a bad case of poison ivy!! But it’s a week out of the year that I can let my hair down a bit, dance during the day, drink beer on curbs, and socialize with a great group of people. Plus the riding’s not bad either!!

Zinger, I agree with you.  This will be my 7th RAGBRAI and 6th in a row.  I love Iowa (I live there one week each year)!  I don’t expect RAGBRAI to be the same now as it was 39 years ago.  It changes, as all things do!  I try to go with the flow, enjoy the ride and don’t  overanalyze it!!!  I’ll see you on an Iowa curb in July!!!

In a small measure the original RAGBRAI still survives Beebs.  It is the ride out to the start town.  The Wingman and I plan to be there.

RIDE RIGHT

Beebs – Although I know only what I read here, about the good ol’ days of Rag – in essence, I am with you. I too, always look back and wish life was simpler, less chaotic, less everything in fact. And mourn ‘progress’ on many counts. O well. Not much we can do about it. However, we are lucky that Ragbrai is still unique, thrilling and amazing, despite the changes.

I can almost guarantee that it will not go through cosgrove this year. it will take the same route it did last time it was from Grinnell to Coralville. Last two towns will be parnell and williamsburg. The cosgrove hill (bump in my opinion) will be bypassed.

I am gong to chime in. I wasnt there in 1979. But I was there in the mid 80s. and I haven’t missed a ride for 25 years. The ride has DRASTICALLY changed  in the last 15 years. It is more of a “canned” experience. The 80s was the dark days of the ride as far as I am concerned. It was the days where people were out of control party the entire week. We had nudity and drunkenness galore whithout ANY supervision. Heck even the ride coordinator got in trouble for mooning on the ride. Trust me. the mid to late 80’s was WAY over the top for the ride. NO control. around 1990 or so things took a change. The ISP cracked down “a bit” and it tamed slightly but they still didn’t close towns down at all. It wasn’t until the mid 2000s that they started closing towns down.  It doesn’t bother me because times have changed…but the 1980’s were very very very WILD for RAGBRAI…

Coralville welcomes 38 Special for their July 29 overnight

jwsknk said: Coralville welcomes 38 Special for their July 29 overnight

Sounds like fun to this “Wild-Eyed Southern Boy”!!!  Will they have Budweiser?

Michrider said:

jwsknk said: Coralville welcomes 38 Special for their July 29 overnight

Sounds like fun to this “Wild-Eyed Southern Boy”!!!  Will they have Budweiser?

what do you think?

Brooklyn, was that the city of flage a few years back? hen tThrough the Amana Colonies, West, South and Homestead, thought there would be more there last time we went through.

jwsknk said: Brooklyn, was that the city of flage a few years back? hen tThrough the Amana Colonies, West, South and Homestead, thought there would be more there last time we went through.

Brooklyn is indeed the self-proclaimed “City of Flags”.  The entry to Brooklyn in 1991, along the ‘Avenue of Flags’, is featured as the dust jacket and the title page illustration of the Register’s “River to River, Year After Year” book of photos from the first 29 years of RAGBRAI.

-“BB”-

Zinger said:  Less enjoyable was the year I rode with a bad case of poison ivy!!

Where, on your body, did you have your little “outbreak?”  :P