Many newbies posting lately asking advice on things, so I thought I’d throw in my 2 cents (sense?) worth. One of the biggest dangers I saw last year while actually riding was what happens at every stop sign along the route that had rumble strips before it. About 1/10th mile before most stop signs out on the route there were 3 sets of rumble strips to notify cars of the coming stop sign. Without fail, some bicycle rider would scream “RUMBLE” and the crowd of riders would slam on brakes, scatter to the left and right of the strips immediately without looking where they were going. This was a real safety issue IMHO. Solution…don’t inflate your tires so hard that you bang along on top of the strips but at a pressure where you can ride over them comfortably, ride wider tires, don’t bring a bike that can’t handle rumble strips, don’t have so much stuff attached to your bike that you’re worried it will all fall off if you ride over the strips, yell “SLOWING” but continue on in a straight line w/o weaving. Obviously more safety hazards exist while riding…solutions, ride right, yell your intentions, no sudden moves/stops (last year I got a bee down the front of my jersey and had to make a very quick exit from the road to get it out, but fortunately didn’t cause any accidents, whew), point out hazards (potholes, etc). Yes RAGBRAI is a big rolling party, but remember that the rolling part still needs to be done safely (if for no other reason than for the safety of those riders near you).
July 20 - 27, 2024
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36 Replies
Sounds like we leave about the same time. It is definitely better riding later. I hope to meet you this year and talk about that quarter-miler of yours.
I think a mirror really helps with safety on the ride…..I’m talking about a rear view mirrow and not the kind of mirror that princess Amanda uses to straighten her tiarra.
We’ll make it happen this year! Hopefully you can meet the quarter-miler himself. I’m hoping both boys will be able to ride with me again this year. Sounds like there’s a group of us later riders that should meet up for breakfast sometime during the week!!
guess you need to pick a day & town. Boone or Toona night be good, I think there may be tons of day riders and I bet a lot of them hit the road between 7-8. both days are pretty short too. no need to rush out in the am.
guess you need to pick a day & town. Boone or Toona night be good, I think there may be tons of day riders and I bet a lot of them hit the road between 7-8. both days are pretty short too. no need to rush out in the am.
I’ll do that. Dixie’s Diner in Boone might be a good place. I’ll wait until the specific route comes out and try to pick somewhere close. I love me some eggs and hash browns on RAGBRAI!!