Juan Medium Moose
- Active 11 months, 1 week ago
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic Are you still riding? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 1 month ago
We had a nicely warm day last Saturday in Saint Paul. It started off a bit cold, but then the sun came out. I managed to get in a nice long ride to make the most of the day. Sunday wasn’t nearly as pleasant, so I’m glad I grabbed the opportunity when I could.
Weather permitting, I’ll try and sneak in a couple more rides before the year is out.
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic too soon for next year? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 3 months ago
@ppayne1959: I’d love to go through Grinnell. I didn’t spend enough time getting to know the town when I was in college there.
I would like to pass through Early some year, just because there’s a song about it.
Along a more northerly route, I have a particular affection for the town of Floyd…just because it’s name is Floyd. Gotta love that.
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic Crash in Sigourney in the forum Miscellaneous 4 years, 3 months ago
Best of luck with your recovery, Ginger. May it be full and quick.
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic Rear View Mirrors in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 3 months ago
@dc7603 : I also have one that plugs into the handlebars. It’s on the drop bar, so I have to look down to see back. There is still a blind spot up close to me, just as in a car, and I bang my knee on it sometimes, but I am still very glad to have it. As you say, it gives me great peace of mind.
I recommend a mirror with good reflective…[Read more]
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic Where do Ragbrai people shower? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 4 months ago
@kwog: Probably Joe’s Wet Shack.
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic Where do Ragbrai people shower? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 4 months ago
I’ve got a “Nano” camping towel that my daughter used to bring on her long camping trips. I only use it when there are no “real” towels available at the shower facilities. I don’t like it when I have to use it, but when I have to use it I’m a lot happier than if I had nothing at all.
It works well enough and dries by morning even in humid weather.
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic Pork Chop ? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 4 months ago
This is Iowa.
Pork chops happen.
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic Dip site? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 4 months ago
If the weather is good, I’ll be up for riding out to the dip site (and across the bridge too). It would be nice to do this as a group ride so there are more of us on the road to look out for one another.
Otherwise, the Keg Creek runs through town and flows into the Missouri River. I’ll be content to dip my tire in that. Two years ago, my first…[Read more]
Juan Medium Moose started the topic Packing in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 4 months ago
Time to pack the bags.
Other than the bike, the tent, the wallet, and a packet of cornwipes, what odd things do you bring along?
I bring a camping clothesline. If it’s sunny out, I can hook one end to my tent and the other to a tree or fence, and dry off my riding kit after the shower.
Someone else wrote that they bring a cheap shower cap to…[Read more]
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic Newbie Practical Questions in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 4 months ago
Bike Parking: I like to turn my bike upside-down and rest it on the handlebars overnight. It seems more stable that way. I bring a small pile of Handi-Wipes and wipe down the seat and handlebars in the morning. Works for me.
I could be remembering some other ride, bit I think I have seen some charters set up a rope so that riders can “hang”…[Read more]
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic Vegan On Ragrai- Tips? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 4 months ago
Check with Farm Boys, if you can. In 2014 they had a separate table at one of the stops that was all fruit. There were fresh strawberries, blueberries, mango slices, grapes, and watermelon. The fruit was off to the side and most folks in the Breakfast Burrito line didn’t notice it. I got some jealous looks from my friends when I sat down with…[Read more]
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic Can I choose indoor camping at the last minute? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 4 months ago
I’m not sure about indoor camping, but there is usually shelter to be found if the weather gets too rough for tents. I’ve only done RAGBRAI twice so far, and the worst weather I’ve seen wasn’t bad enough to send me indoors. Still, such things are possible. If conditions get that extreme, we probably won’t be worrying too much about sleeping.…[Read more]
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic What Do You Do For Training? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 4 months ago
For those who take their training seriously:
I don’t want to change your mind. Training is part of the fun of the whole experience. Just don’t think you have to use all of that training when you’re actually riding. You certainly have my permission (my encouragement!) to fly past me on the ride if you like. I’ll cheer you on.
…but don’t…[Read more]
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic What Do You Do For Training? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 4 months ago
@KenH: I lived in the Chicago area for many years. I saw people dance at weddings. I moved to Minnesota.
😉
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic What Do You Do For Training? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 4 months ago
Before my first RAGBRAI, I rode only 500mi including a couple of long rides (50+ miles) before RAGBRAI. I did alright that year. I made it across all of Iowa on a heavy hybrid bike and even did the Karras loop.
…but I learned a few things. The next year I had a lighter-weight bike and I rode 1000mi before RAGBRAI, including a handful of…[Read more]
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic Day 1 – Question in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 4 months ago
Day 0: For me, RAGBRAI really starts that first day at the start town when I get to the campsite, set up my tent, head out to the Expo, and spend some time in town. Let yourself ease into it.
Day 1: @gringonick talked about the morning of Day 1 2014. That was my first RAGBRAI. Thousands of cyclists in the quiet residential streets of Rock…[Read more]
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic Wild Parsnip in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 5 months ago
The corn rows themselves are usually very clean, and the corn stalks are earily similar (spelling and, therefore, pun intended). These are the hallmarks of modern industrial-scale techniques. Watch the edges of the fields, though. That’s where the weeds are allowed to grow. Often, there will be a well-worn path into the corn. Use that…but…[Read more]
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic WELCOME TO LEON IOWA! in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 5 months ago
Oh… One more important thing: Good showers.
Some towns last year did a really nice job of arranging showers, and the commercial shower trucks do fill in the gaps. There have, however, been a couple of times when the shower facilities ran out of towels. The worst was when they ran out of towels and hot water. We got freezing cold showers and…[Read more]
Juan Medium Moose replied to the topic WELCOME TO LEON IOWA! in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 4 years, 5 months ago
Seconding the suggestion about water-related stuff. When it’s hot out, I love arriving in a town where there is a(n optional) sprinkler set up, usually attached to a fire hydrant, so that riders can ride through a spray of water as they arrive.
Not everyone is into the beer thing, so a variety is a good idea. Some of us have caught onto the…[Read more]