Jboz
- Active 1 week, 6 days ago
Jboz replied to the topic First timer trying to choose which bike to bring in the forum Miscellaneous 3 weeks ago
Here’s a thought. Nobody here really knows your riding style or physical condition, so take all opinions with a grain of salt. Take each bike out and do 60 or 70 miles, preferably under similar conditions but spaced a few days apart to allow for recovery. Then get yourself ready for a 3rd ride a few days later without a specific bike in mind.…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Makeshift route ideas using past RAGBRAIs? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 month ago
JWSKNK, they are planning 6 total days through Iowa. So with the first 2 days firmly established,4 days from Winterset to Clinton.
BTW, great suggestions here. Also considering roughly tracing the 1991 route, but diverting to Clinton on the last day. Pella is also a great idea…we know people there so that’s a plus.
Jboz started the topic Makeshift route ideas using past RAGBRAIs? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 month ago
My son and some friends are going to ride across Iowa in May, starting in Omaha and making their way eventually to the Chicago area. They want to follow the Day 1 and Day 2 routes “as is”, but after Winterset they will need to route more northeast. I thought a good way to do the rough planning would be to trace together a few past RAGBRAI rou…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Wednesday route? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 2 months ago
Admittedly, it’s a little beyond my range, but it all depends on the weather. If it’s a rainy day, then I will skip the loop. If it’s really hot, I will skip. If strong headwinds, I will skip. If however it’s an absolutely perfect day with 75 to 80 degrees, low humidity and tailwinds, I just might give it a shot. A guy can dream, right?
Jboz replied to the topic Footwear Suggestions? Other gear? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 2 months, 2 weeks ago
My son did a 1400 mile ride from Maine to Michigan. He owned several pairs of cycling shoes, but for whatever reason he and his buddies they did their research and ended riding with Converse sneakers. They did fine, but of course they were 16 & 17 and in great shape.
Personally, I use cycling sandals with recessed cleats which work great for…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Electric assist bikes? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Sad news to report and I thought it belonged in this thread. Jason Stoller, who posted passionately on this topic, sadly has passed away. This news breaks my heart. Jason was a very unique person, and he had an enormous heart. Jason and I spoke frequently, but had kind of lost touch last year. I saw him on Day 6 of RABRAI last year. In a sea of…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic cell phone service in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 2 months, 2 weeks ago
While most riders understand that cell service is a ubiquitous need in modern society, I’ve encountered a few fellow riders over the years who have a purist, almost judgmental tone that RAGBRAI should be a no-phone zone. I agree with some posters who state the very real need for phones for periodic communication. It’s true that it might be…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Blind cyclist from Colorado needs help in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
PP – The rider has stated that he needs help transporting a tandem. A tandem bike is a wonderful way for visually impaired people to enjoy cycling and RAGBRAI. It is also not specified whether the poster is the captain or the stoker. Either way, the poster is seeking help, not judgment.
Learn empathy and you won’t be treated like a jerk.…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic shuttle service/camping in yards in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
Prince, you don’t “pay for the lottery”. You pay to participate in RAGBRAI. If for some reason the lottery doesn’t yield you a wristband, you don’t pay. It’s that simple. The $185 is a small contribution to offset a whole lot of effort on the part of the organizers. The RAGRAI staff do all the route planning, logistics, they maintain this…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Yes, I'm the jerk that will remove posts that are ridiculous in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
Not to beat a dead horse, but I just connected the dots. The person who is posting here worrying about theft in Keokuk is the same person who openly posted his intentions to ride bandit in the “panniers or racks” thread. I really have nothing more to say on this matter and will let forum readers draw their own conclusions from here.
Jboz replied to the topic Yes, I'm the jerk that will remove posts that are ridiculous in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 2 weeks ago
If you are uncomfortable with parking your car in Keokuk, just park in Burlington, dip there and bail Friday night. Problem solved. The rest of the RAGBRAI circus will ride on into Keokuk and take our chances with the great people there. Life is pretty much a gamble at every turn. There are no guarantees. The world is a wide spectrum of…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Yes, I'm the jerk that will remove posts that are ridiculous in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 2 weeks ago
I find posts that disparage pie, pork, lemonade stands or waterslides to extremely offensive. Please remove any such abominations TJ!
Jboz replied to the topic A Group of Virgins with Questions/Concerns/Thoughts from the Group in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 3 weeks ago
“Doing a double century to get out in front of the crowds is the wackiest thing I have ever heard of.”
It’s like buying Super Bowl tickets, driving to the stadium and then deciding to stay in your car and listen to it on the radio so you can beat the traffic when the game ends.
Jboz replied to the topic RAGBRAI IV in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Despite the changes in appearance, hairstyles, etc., I was most struck by how the overall vibe that was portrayed seemed almost identical to vibe of today. Remember the term “generation gap” that was widely used back then? It was not existent in the video, with young and old riders interacting as peers, equals in a rolling community. Same as…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic A Beginner's Guide to RAGBRAI in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Stop and talk to the locals. And not just the folks selling something, talk to regular folks sitting in their lawn chairs watching the bikes go by. You will be amazed how hospitable they are. I was riding through Clear Lake and saw a woman sitting out by her garage in a lawn chair with a thermos full of coffee. I stopped under the guise of…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic A Group of Virgins with Questions/Concerns/Thoughts from the Group in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 3 weeks ago
There are various options for showering. Joe’s Wetshack for example has traveling shower trucks with plenty of hot water & towels for a reasonable fee (I think $5). There are others too. You may be able to find free showers at local schools, etc. As Genefruit mentioned, it all just kind of works. It’s a blast…and we were all virgins once.…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic Electric assist bikes? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Last time I checked, the RAGBRAI takes place primarily (or exclusively) on active Iowa roadways. Meaning that for 40+ years a Harley could technically ride alongside cyclists if the Harley rider really wanted to. Since this obviously has not been a problem even though it technically could have, maybe the cries of “The mopeds are going to ruin…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic The Route's Out, What Do You Think? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 4 weeks ago
The more I look at this route, the more I like it. It’s solid and interesting from start to finish.
Start: Council Bluffs makes it very easy for non-Iowans who need to fly in. Amtrak into Omaha is also an option. And plenty of hotel options. For those who want to dip on both ends of the trip, you don’t have to ride 30 miles round trip to do…[Read more]
Jboz replied to the topic The Route's Out, What Do You Think? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 4 weeks ago
2 different Mississippi River towns…that will be cool. Will be different to have a Mississippi River town as an overnight town instead of just dip, pack and go. Love this route!