I agree I CHECK the Forum at least 3 times a day just to make sure I don’t miss any good gossip

just once a day for me….OK, maybe twice

It’s a healthy obsession but I have to say that the traffic in the Forums this year is bordering on the edge of lethargic. What’s up? Not even many decent arguments.

Forum too slow? Maybe “he who should not be named” needs to return!?

As an Army veteran, I won’t say it is so much micro managing as knowing you have experience in handling groups of people and the leadership experience just makes it easier for you to do. Keep up the sitreps and disseminate all the information to the lowest individual. Always make sure you test for knowledge. I be waiting to see pictures of you sand table and get back briefed on you ROC drill.

Oh jeez! Not the ROC drill. I do still have my sand table kit though.

I can relate to the statement that Ragbrai is my hobby. I take great pride in the fact that I have introduced it to several people over the last 7 years that I have been doing it. It is a big part of my life my sure.

To spice it up….Bandits on Ragbrai should be arrested!!!!!! Lets get it going…Lol

I might not go as far as saying it is a hobby but I do love that the forum conversations are starting to flow again. Makes the time until July go faster.

RAGBRAI is a hobby or an obsession? My wife who has said she would never ride it, calls it my obsession. After all these years I still get keyed up for it, just as much as I did on my first in 1983.
I feel we’re truly lucky to have such an event that is as well organized and attended as RAGBRAI; one that we can keep coming back year after year.

GUILTY AS CHARGED! Been there – done that! (Still do it!)

Man do I identify with a lot of these comments. I have been organizing (some would say micro organizing) a small team out of Colorado for the past decade. For me it is nice to have all the bases covered (SAG, housing, meeting points and even an occasional dinner reservation) well before our July trek. Even though my wife too calls it my obsession I not only enjoy working out all the logistics but take pride knowing that my effort allows everyone on the team to ride each day without ever having to worry about where to sleep/eat/meet. Hobby or obsession – enjoy doing it!!

DenBiker…or anybody else – Any hints on how to get places to stay in overnight towns without having to sign up on each towns website and hope to get something? Any insights greatly appreciated.

Mark H.
If this is your first RAGBRAI, welcome. Every RAGBRAI is a blast.
If you’re just looking for a place to unfold your tent, and set up shop for the night, each town has designated spots for camping. Fairgrounds, city parks, etc.

If you’re having the DSM haul your gear, the semis will be located at the main campgrounds.
The’re usually not hard to find. Just follow the crowds!

Hey DenBiker – Let’s get together and ride this spring. My small team is out of the Boulder area (40-50 somethings). Would love to meet up for a ride and some beers. We’ve identified a 40 mile training loop btwn Erie, Boulder, Longmont, Niwot and back to Erie with 8 Micro Brewery’s in the loop. Have yet to ride the exact loop but it is out there if necessary.

Team Buccan-Gears (Part of the Iowa based Road Pirates). If anyone on your team is interested, we are riding from Erie to Glenwood, IA this year starting on 7/16 (calling it the 1st annual Tumbleweed Classic). We’ll see how it goes this year and whether there will be a 2nd annual event. :-)

It’s not an obsession. I can quit anytime I want. As soon as we go through that 99th county. Oh look, 2 “new” overnight towns this year.