cmparsley

cmparsley replied to the topic Looking for One Tuesday wrist band in the forum Looking to BUY Wristbands 2018 4 years, 8 months ago

I am taking a group from Sioux Falls.

cmparsley replied to the topic Looking for One Tuesday wrist band in the forum Looking to BUY Wristbands 2018 4 years, 8 months ago

This question has been answered on the FAQ page:

2. Can I ride for just a couple of days instead of the full week?

Yes. To do this, you would enter for a one-day wristband for the day or days you would like to ride. Day wristbands may be purchased for $30 (plus tax) per day. You can register online until June 1st. Day wristbands are not…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic Gear to carry with you on bike in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 4 years, 8 months ago

Backpacks equal back sweat to me. It is hot enough out in the open in the middle of Iowa in July. The towns are close enough together that you can get anything you need along the way. The first year I rode I carried way too much stuff.

This is my 11th ride and here is what I carry:

Freezer Ziplock bag (sandwich size) holds my phone, cash,…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic Best bike style for RAGBRAI in the forum Miscellaneous 4 years, 8 months ago

I lived in Cedar Rapids for almost 10 years. There was a group that did a bar hop ride on Wednesday nights. They talked about RAGBRAI. Me being from South Dakota, I had no idea what it was all about. So that year I loaded up my Raleigh M30 Mountain bike with everything I thought I would need to ride a day of RAGBRAI. I rode down my driveway…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic Receiving Materials? in the forum Miscellaneous 4 years, 8 months ago

RAGBRAI is what you make of it. If you are going to be all up in arms because you didn’t get your packet ahead of time then you are starting RAGBRAI off on the wrong foot. Think about it for a minute.

10,000 riders. 10,000 bike bands. 10,000 rider bands. Guidebooks, patch certs, jerseys, t-shirts, baggage tags, etc. Getting shipped all…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic Best bike style for RAGBRAI in the forum Miscellaneous 4 years, 8 months ago

Bruce, Great to hear that you found a good deal on craigslist! It really is a night a day difference between a bike before a tune up and one after. Preach that from the mountain top! My wife is our driver and we bring her bike for exactly that purpose.

One other suggestion…a proper bike fit.

I always thought I had a good fit on my bikes.…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic Best bike style for RAGBRAI in the forum Miscellaneous 4 years, 8 months ago

Bruce, if you have the room to bring two bikes, and bringing 2 bikes will give you piece of mind, then bring two bikes. Don’t let stress over what bike to ride dominate RAGBRAI.

The number one most important thing you can do is have a qualified mechanic go through your bike top to bottom. Replace the brake pads, brake cables and housing, shift…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic Do I really need a new bike? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 4 years, 9 months ago

Simply put Michaela, yes. You should find a different bike. I ran the service department at a local bike shop for a few years. I am certified as a League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor, and I am the former president of our local bicycle advocacy group. I list that stuff to lend credibility to my advice.

A person who is going to do…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic RV services, dumping waste, and re-filling water in the forum Miscellaneous 4 years, 9 months ago

Our driver uses an android app to find dump stations. I think it is called “RV Dump Stations” Most of the time she finds them along the vehicle route. Either a truck stop or rest stops along the way. Rarely does she use a dump station in the overnight town.

cmparsley replied to the topic How do you carry your money on the ride? Wallet? Plastic bag? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 4 years, 9 months ago

I use the method in this video to make a custom bag that fits my cell phone. Add in money, credit card, and ID and I am good to go.

Custom Ziplock Bags://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0_AiIH-JfA” rel=”noopener” target=”_blank”>

cmparsley replied to the topic Best bike style for RAGBRAI in the forum Miscellaneous 4 years, 9 months ago

I will echo some of what has already been said here and add in a few things:

The best bike for RAGBRAI is the bike you are most comfortable riding and the bike you enjoy riding.

Any bike shop worth 2 cents will let you test ride any bike they have on the floor. Take a day and visit your LBS and test ride a bunch of bikes. Make sure you ride…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic What I would love to see publicized in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 4 years, 11 months ago

I am a League of American Bicyclists Certified Cycling Instructor. I teach people how to ride a bicycle as a vehicle in traffic. I am also a Shimano Certified Bicycle Mechanic. Two points I always refer to:

1. Cyclists fare best when they act like and are treated as any other driver of any other vehicle.

This means riding in the right lane…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic Camping in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 5 years, 1 month ago

I have always used either an RV or pull behind camper with our own driver. As the host towns get things set up, they will each have housing applications available online. Each application costs between 2 and 5 dollars to submit. These applications will match you with a host family.

This is our favorite part of RAGBRAI. We have always had…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic Father-Son Time? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 5 years, 1 month ago

I would suggest having an exit strategy. Some of the longer days could possibly turn into more than a 7 1/2 yr old can handle. I know that at 42, and this being my 11th RAGBRAI, that there were days where I thought about throwing in the towel. I was able to push through and I have not missed a single mile. Only you know your son and his…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic Road Riding in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 5 years, 1 month ago

If there are no bicyclists to my right, then my default position moves to the right. There are time during the week when there are large gaps between riders. During these times, I am usually closer to the right side of the right lane. During times of heavier traffic, then my default position moves closer to the centerline. Rarely will you find…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic Road Riding in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 5 years, 1 month ago

Yes I do. Even a little left of center. I try to position myself where I would be if I was behind the steering wheel in a car.

If there is more than one lane of travel in the direction I am headed, then I keep my lane. There is another lane other vehicles can use to pass me.

For two lane roads, It’s not quite that cut and dried. First I…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic Road Riding in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 5 years, 1 month ago

This year will be my 11th consecutive RAGBRAI. I have also been a League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor for the last 5 years. As an LCI, I teach the LAB SMart Cycling curriculum. This teaches people how ride a bicycle in traffic. Most states have laws that designate bicycles as vehicles. As such, bicyclists are afforded all the…[Read more]

cmparsley replied to the topic New bike or not? in the forum Miscellaneous 5 years, 1 month ago

Mike,

Any bike shop worth the time will allow you to take out different bikes for test rides. The entry level road bikes in your price range are all very decent, regardless of the manufacturer. Many even use similar, if not the same, components.

Keep in mind that the bike as it sits on the showroom floor is meant to fit the “average rider.”…[Read more]

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