BillSpriggs
- Active 1 year, 1 month ago
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Traveling to RAGBRAI via Airplane in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2020 1 year, 1 month ago
Omaha will be the cheapest. I usually get routed on Southwest through LAX. Omaha is also the closest to the start town. There are several charters that provide shuttles from Omaha to the start town and back to Omaha at the end of the ride.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Riding alone in the forum Miscellaneous 1 year, 6 months ago
This will be my 5th RAGBRAI three of which I’ve ridden by myself. Your never by yourself on RAGBRAI, lots of people to keep you company. I wasn’t born in Iowa but my parents were native Iowan’s and I still have family in Creston. I’ll look for you on the road.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Flying in Sunday morning – getting late start in the forum Miscellaneous 1 year, 6 months ago
You might want to check with the Council Bluffs P.D. to see if there are any street closures and what might be the best place for you to meet up with the rest of your party.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic How's the training? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 year, 7 months ago
Crossed the 1,000 mile mark this morning, running about 400 miles behind last year.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Sleeping pad suggestions? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 year, 8 months ago
For the last 4 years I’ve used an REI Camp Bed 3.5 XL. I travel with PBV so weight is not a problem. For a sleeping bag I use a fleece sleeping bag liner that is more than enough warmth. I use a twin bed sheet folded in half and stitched across the bottom and about a third of the way up the side.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic So, how's the weather in Iowa? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 year, 8 months ago
Last week the weather in central California was unseasonably warm, low 90’s, this week in the low 80’s. I was able to ride 100 miles last week. Hopefully I can get in another 100 miles this week.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Wednesday route? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 year, 10 months ago
2013 was 114 miles for me, the loop was early in the day as opposed to 2016 when it was at the end of the day. I skipped 2016. Made a bad error in 2013, stopped for Mr. Pork Chop, not a good idea!
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Beginning Dip Site in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 year, 11 months ago
Last time that we were in Council Bluffs the dip site was at the Bob Kerry pedestrian bridge. The Missouri River was very low and we had to traverse a large sandy area. Some poor woman got sand in her cleats, couldn’t “clip out”, fell and broke her arm, not the way to start RAGBRAI. If it’s sandy again this year be careful.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Amtrak – Getting from Keokuk to Ft Madison in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 year, 11 months ago
I’ve taken Amtrak west from Burlington, I don’t think Amtrak goes through Fort Madison.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic 2019 Route Predictions in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 2 years ago
It was awesome until the train went through the middle of my tent. We were camped next to the tracks. I’ll be with PBV for the fifth time this year.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Quiet Forum in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 2 months ago
Rene, It costs real money to put RAGBRAI on every year. The portable toilets don’t just magically appear, the Register’s staff doesn’t work for nothing, the baggage trucks cost money etc. The ride is fully supported for those of us who pay for a one week wristband. If you break down you don’t get sag support. Don’t be a bandit, buy the wristband.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Airports in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 8 months ago
I’ve always flown into Omaha from Sacramento. There are several charters that provide shuttle service from Omaha to the start town and from the end town back to Omaha. Most people don’t hang out in Davenport. Check the website for Charters, I’ve always used Pork Belly Ventures. Have a great time in Iowa.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Buying a new sleeping bag. in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 10 months ago
I’ve used an inexpensive fleece sleeping bag liner with a sheet. If it is warm the sheet is usually enough, if it is cooler the liner seems to be fine.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Opinions on other Charters???? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 11 months ago
I’ve used PBV for four years, I use the tent service, getting in to camp with my bags in my tent is the only way to go. Level of service is outstanding. You are correct, it seems to be lights out at 9:00.I’ll use PBV again.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic So many questions! North Texas Newbie with 12 year old in the forum Miscellaneous 3 years, 2 months ago
Get a bike and start riding. This year was my fourth RAGBRAI in the last five years. Check out the Pork Belly Ventures web site. I’ve used them and they do a great job. Watch the RAGBRAI website, they post a training program which if you follow you won’t have any problem with the ride.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic OK, so how was it at Lansing? in the forum RAGBRAI XLV – 2017 3 years, 5 months ago
Lansing was well organized. It appeared that all of the charters were leaving from the same area. My bus left Lansing on a gravel road and then transitioned onto Hwy. 9. Left Lansing at 2:00 and got into Des Moines at 6:30, no problems getting out of Lansing. Well done Lansing and Ragbrai!
BillSpriggs replied to the topic mornings: what to expect? in the forum RAGBRAI XLV – 2017 3 years, 6 months ago
David, This will be my 4th year with PBV. I’m an early riser by nature. Coffee will be available at 4:30 am. The lines for the KYBO’s will be shorter in the early hours. You will start hearing folks starting to move around 4:00 to 4:30. I usually start riding by 5:30 to 6:00 and don’t have a problem with the crowds. I stop for breakfast at the…[Read more]
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Best Way to get the Bikes to Orange City in the forum Clubs, Teams & Charters 3 years, 7 months ago
I’ve used sendmybike.com the last 4 times I’ve ridden RAGBRAI. The deliver your bike to the start town and ship it from the end town. I ship my bike and on “medium” sized box, this year the cost was $196 each way. For an additional charge they will assemble your bike at the start town and box it at the end town.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Was it just me or did traffic seem out of control last year? in the forum RAGBRAI XLV – 2017 3 years, 7 months ago
Saturday last year when we transitioned from X17 onto Hwy 92 outside Columbus Junction. Somewhat disconcerting as there were no State Troopers directing traffic. Hwy. 92 had a narrow shoulder with a rumble strip making it even narrower. Had a semi come uncomfortably close. Other than that traffic didn’t seem to be too much of a problem.
BillSpriggs replied to the topic Training in the forum RAGBRAI XLV – 2017 3 years, 7 months ago
Crossed the 1,000 mile mark this morning, I’m a little behind schedule as we had a really wet spring and missed several days due to weather. Need to get up into the hills the next few weeks.