bugs11
- Active 1 week ago
bugs11 replied to the topic Does anyone ride a decent high end road bike? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2020 1 week, 1 day ago
What ever bike you decide to ride, just make sure it’s in good working order. I’ve seen more than one person pushing their bicycle along the side of the road with the derailleur dragging on the ground.
I’ve taken a vintage bike on RAGBRAI and I’ve taken a brand new $1800 bike on RAGBRAI. They both got me across the state in fine shape, but I…[Read more]
bugs11 replied to the topic RAGBRAI, its just a name Gannett owns in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 months, 1 week ago
Let’s change the name to Gannet’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa – GAGBRAI.
bugs11 replied to the topic Which Ride Will "Win"? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 months, 1 week ago
Sounds like people are ready to “go to the mattresses”.
bugs11 replied to the topic Ode to TJ's Ego in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 months, 1 week ago
Ode To DMR
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bugs11 replied to the topic Who cheated? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 6 months, 3 weeks ago
We dipped at Montrose. I ended up with 530 miles on my odometer. I didn’t cheat on the Karras loop, but saw quite a few that did.
bugs11 replied to the topic 8th Flattest Route? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 6 months, 4 weeks ago
It’s just a hill, get over it!
bugs11 replied to the topic Ask yourself what you have done in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 6 months, 4 weeks ago
Hmmm… Myself and another biker stopped the flow of bikes through a teeny-tiny town along the route for a brief moment to allow a local lady to drive her car across the intersection. She said she had to get to school. I could tell she was perplexed and didn’t know what to do.
bugs11 replied to the topic Injuries on the ride – 2019 in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 6 months, 4 weeks ago
CARE Ambulance provided EMS coverage for the ride. Every time they provided services, emergency or otherwise, a form of some sort was filled out. I don’t know how billing works for CARE, but I’m sure CARE wants to get paid every time they provide services. I’d like to think that CARE supplies RAGBRAI officials with a summary of services; types…[Read more]
bugs11 replied to the topic Killer Roads? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 7 months ago
I could tell holes, cracks, and crevices were recently patched with asphalt along some sections of the road; not so much on other sections.
bugs11 replied to the topic Observations about the ride in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 7 months ago
All in all it was a good week, weather wasn’t really an issue. Some overnight towns were better than others. I really liked West Point, so much so I may make the drive to their Sweet Corn festival. Talked to a local in the Biergarten there and they made it sound like the Sweet Corn festival is a fun time. Also, stopped at Fat Jimmy’s BBQ…[Read more]
bugs11 replied to the topic Anyone run 28" tires? in the forum Miscellaneous 7 months, 1 week ago
A wider tire will give you a little softer ride, a little slower ride, and a little better traction. Wider = more tire surface contact on the road basically. I run 28mm on my endurance bike, not sure I’d want to go any skinnier unless I was racing.
28″ tire had me ????
bugs11 replied to the topic Question about Breakfast in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 7 months, 2 weeks ago
I take my Jetboil stove and make a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Nothing like sipping a cup of fresh instant coffee and nibbling a Clif Bar watching the camp come alive.
bugs11 replied to the topic Heat concerns in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 7 months, 2 weeks ago
My advise is to train in the heat, it really can’t be avoided. To cool down, pour cool water over your head and wear a water soaked bandanna around your neck. And of course avoid alcohol and drink plenty of electrolyte treated water. Also, don’t forget the sunscreen.
Did 84 miles yesterday, heat index was 98-100 entire time. I survived and…[Read more]
bugs11 replied to the topic Weather during RAGBRAI in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 8 months, 1 week ago
Last year I had a bike mechanic tell me “This has been the best week of weather in the 19 years I’ve been working RAGBRAI.” So I expect this year’s weather to be brutal, horribly hot and humid or terribly cold and rainy or both.
bugs11 replied to the topic Footwear Suggestions? Other gear? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 11 months, 2 weeks ago
You don’t need clipless shoes to ride RAGBRAI or ride anywhere else for that matter. Last year I used a pair of well broken in running shoes. They were so well broke in that the liner fell out or disintegrated (can’t remember). I stuck some ski boot footbeds I had laying around in those running shoes and that really stiffened them up. They fit…[Read more]
bugs11 replied to the topic First Timer Question: Charging in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 11 months, 3 weeks ago
You can charge your devices pretty much anywhere, anytime.
Last year I met a RAGBRAI virgin from Chicago on the first day that needed to charge their phone. We were in some small town in western Iowa and there was an old bookshelf someone had put on a street corner with a bunch of strip plugins; lots of phones plugged in and charging. I told…[Read more]
bugs11 replied to the topic Food prices in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 year ago
I’m not a big eater nor a picky one. I like to stop at the small town fire stations during the day and eat whatever they are offering – the food is usually priced reasonably ($5 or so) and also good to excellent grub. I like supporting the small town fire departments; those people are some of the hardest working, nicest folk you’ll ever meet.…[Read more]
bugs11 replied to the topic Input sought: road safety, campground quiet in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 1 year, 6 months ago
I forgot about the town with the train coming through it every two hours or so at night blaring it’s horn. I think it was Onawa. Reminded me of my college days when I lived near a train track. The sound of the train then was rather soothing, but then it wasn’t traveling at 90 mph.
I witnessed one admonishment, a racer type went by this middle…[Read more]
bugs11 replied to the topic Input sought: road safety, campground quiet in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 1 year, 6 months ago
Jerks on the road? Un-possible… just something everyone deals with.
The first night I had ear plugs in because I’m a light sleeper and everyone warned me about the campground noise, after that night I never used them. I must of been very lucky in my choice of tent spots. I only woke up during the night two times during the entire week, once…[Read more]
bugs11 replied to the topic Location of Bike in the forum Miscellaneous 1 year, 6 months ago
Check with the ambulance service that transported you and local law enforcement that covered the scene. For an accident in a town it would be the towns police department (PD) or Sheriff department – if the town doesn’t have a PD. Accident in the county could be Sheriff department or State Troopers, State Troopers if accident occurred on a State…[Read more]