Bruce Atkinson
- Active 2 years, 1 month ago
Bruce Atkinson replied to the topic Tonite's the night! Who is excited? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 2 years, 1 month ago
In honor of the announcement, we had pork chop sandwiches for lunch. I’ll be following along with a map.
Bruce Atkinson replied to the topic RAGBRAI 2019 Logo…Clues? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 2 years, 3 months ago
Mmmmmm, reedkennethia, your path could go through Kellogg, Iowa.
Bruce Atkinson replied to the topic Thinking ahead to 2019 … in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 2 years, 6 months ago
A humble suggestion: Select Pleasanr Valley as the end town. PV has a few businesses so the surrounding communities will have to fill in the gaps. Between Bettendorf and LeClaire, they have 3 boat ramps for the tire dip — one near I74, one near I80 and one half way between. Long term parking could use Scott Community College and Bettendorf…[Read more]
Bruce Atkinson replied to the topic A Funny Thing Happened on the way home from RAGBRAI. in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 7 months ago
Today, I returned my son to Iowa State. He has marching band and a few other things to do before the “official” start.
I repeated half of Wednesday’s route on the way home — from Ames to State Center. I looked at the places where I parked my bike, grabbed food and drink, and watched the entertainment. Everything was quiet. In Colo, I saw…[Read more]
Bruce Atkinson replied to the topic Iowa kindness in action in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 7 months ago
The second kindness was the continuous thoughtfulness and friendliness of my fellow bikers. My chain hopped off track a few times and people asked if I was OK as I took a minute to put the chain back on the sprockets.
People answered my newbie questions. Everyone made me feel like I had been part of the RAGBRAI experience forever.
Bruce Atkinson replied to the topic Iowa kindness in action in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 7 months ago
My first kindness took place about 2 miles from the Newton RAGBRAI village. I was battling a headwind and the hills. I could see another hill ahead. My wife phoned to find out where she could pick me up to go to Marshalltown and our hotel. I pulled onto a side street.
I was giving up right there. I started to give her directions when a man,…[Read more]
Bruce Atkinson replied to the topic first timer would like to try a day?? in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 7 months ago
Good for you, Becky!
That day will be my first ever day of RAGBRAI, too. I hope to do the middle three days. As I wrote here,I’ve been thinking about RAGBRAI forever.
Single day passes were available online through June 8. I forgot to grab some, so I have to get one each day.
There aren’t any wristband scanners. A co-worker “went rogue”…[Read more]
Bruce Atkinson replied to the topic Best bike style for RAGBRAI in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 7 months ago
C M Parsley, I know what you mean about the seat. I read a long time ago that the top of the seat should be 109% of your inseam. I adjusted my seat. It was a simple fix with a HUGE payoff! I could out run the mastodons! OK, maybe not that long ago.
RAGBRAI has been on my bucket list for decades. As a student at ISU, a professor said he could…[Read more]
Bruce Atkinson replied to the topic Best bike style for RAGBRAI in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 7 months ago
Wow! Thanks for the input.
Here’s an update:
I found a used bike on Craig’s list. It’s older, but it’s well maintained — like it just came from a LBS tune up. Wheels were straight; brake pads looked good; it shifted effortlessly during my test drive.
I rode it to work once and my bike app reported I was going about 40% faster than my mountain…[Read more]
Bruce Atkinson replied to the topic Best bike style for RAGBRAI in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 9 months ago
Thanks for the responses.
I should have wrote some of my thoughts in the form of questions. (This isn’t Jeopardy, but I’d like more information.)
My Target clearance 21 speed mountain bike is fast enough. I read some posts about average speed. i’ll be back with the recumbents and trikes, but I’ll get done.
I checked my college bike. Time…[Read more]
Bruce Atkinson replied to the topic Best bike style for RAGBRAI in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 9 months ago
Howdy!
This will be my first RAGBRAI. I have three plans:
1) Ride the middle three days — Jefferson to Sigourney.
2) Ride the middle three-and-a-half days — Jefferson to Kalona.
3) Ride the middle three-and-a-half days plus — Jefferson to Kalona — plus Wildcat Den State park to Davenport after walking my twenty-third Bix 7 on Saturday.