Alright guys, I’ve been inactive on here for a while, but I’m just starting to get into a RAGBRAI mood. I’m taking a summer class and working 40 hours a week. I can only ride on weekends, so I haven’t trained a whole lot. But on my ride yesterday I felt my RAGBRAI mood! Can you believe it’s only 53 days away???
This would be my 11th, and my Dad’s 29th. Well, today my Dad dropped this bombshell on me. He wants to, or is basically giving me the power to decide if we should, take a family vacation to Florida the week of RAGBRAI. Now I’ve never been there. I’d really like to go! It’d be fun to have a family vacation and load up the car for a cross country trek again. But I missed the last 4 days of RAGBRAI last year so we could drive to LA. I had fun. but I don’t think sitting by the pool or beach is relaxing. I mean it is. Swimming on the beach is fun. Beach life is fun. But call me crazy I have to be active on my vacations. Honestly, I thought the beach in CA was boring. I thought the beach on Galveston Island was boring. I can’t imagine it is much better in FL. I even thought the pool at Caesers Palace was kind of boring. Am I insane? I’m from Sioux City, and honestly it would be a lot easier (Logistically) to just have my family pick me up in MO on their way to FL. But I want to bike!
Any help? I haven’t missed a RAGBRAI in 9 years, and I’ve only missed 1 since I started in 2001.
18 Replies
sounds like an easy answer to me. RAGBRAI DUH!!!!
Sounds like you answered the question on your own. RAGBRAI,DUH!!
Florida will always be there but this is the only RAGBRAI 40
There are no sharks or face-eating zombies in Iowa. At least, none that I know of.
Cubbies, your answer, and all the arguments you will need, are right here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWHP9FleUks
Change “Hawaii” to “Florida”, recite the dialog, and your Dad will understand why you can’t miss RAGBRAI.
Besides, I live in South Florida, and believe me, you’ll be happier visiting here in January than in July.
Well, I’m going to be the contrarian here and vote for the family vacation. How many more years will family vacations be an option? Life happens and it gets harder to arrange family get togethers as you get out of school, get a career going, etc. Of course, if it’s just you and your dad going to FL, and you two would ride Ragbrai otherwise, then go with the Rag!
No question; Florida in February and Iowa in July.
RIDE RIGHT
Not so fast – my wife’s coming this year.
Don’t come to Florida Jan. through Easter, already enough snowbirds here. Come in November-best weather of the year and no crowds. Bring your bike, its flat as a pancake down here.
Ahhhhhhhhh…adult supervision for the Iceman.
RIDE RIGHT
So sad for you ICEMAN. Spouses always have a way of reducing the fun level. They certainly make it harder to “cut loose and be silly”.
Cubbies, I’d say RAGBRAI.
Florida, flat filled with old people, mosquitoes, and it’s hot, hot, hot. RAGBRAI- beautiful scenery (of all kinds :mrgreen: ), good food, great people, and YOU GET TO RIDE YOUR BIKE FOR A WEEK.
HMMMM, tough call, that one.
This advice is on the money, Florida in November is great. Almost no rain, mild temperatures and low traffic until the snowbirds arrive in January.
RIDE RIGHT
ST is exactly right — Florida is never any prettier than it is in November.
Cubbies, see if you can’t talk your Dad into RAGBRAI in July, Florida for Thanksgiving.
If there is a chance this will be the last time the family gets together for a vacation, the choice is simple….go to Florida. Family first!