JLVanPelt
- Active 6 months, 3 weeks ago
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Showers? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 1 year, 4 months ago
Pork Belly has the most magnificent showers. If you download their app, they have maps which include their daily location. Showers run 10am-8pm daily and a towel can be purchased.
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Input sought: road safety, campground quiet in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 3 months ago
I go in to RAGBRAI with the understanding that part of its charm is the raucous and unpredictable. In Newton, we were camped next to team with a tuba and a trumpet. The storm cut their party short but we were in our tent giggling about their music. I love sleep like none other but long ago I realized that is not the week for sleep. If I wanted…[Read more]
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Day 1 was boring:empty countryside in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 4 months ago
I agree that like most of these threads on the forum, this one strayed from the topic. I think the original author was not saying that the gorgeous Iowa scenery stunk but rather the rep of RAGBRAI as being a big party on wheels with crazy antics, pop up parties and general hilarity didn’t deliver. I’ve known people who rode the final day of many…[Read more]
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Pork Belly Ventures – Terrible this year in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 4 months ago
I think anyone who uses a charter needs to ask themselves some questions about their riding style, what they want to do before/after each day’s rides, shower needs, personal dietary habits, etc. I have used PBV twice in the past and they are as advertised. If you don’t understand how your needs will mesh with theirs, then I encourage you to take…[Read more]
JLVanPelt replied to the topic RAGBRAI dreams fading. Can anyone please help? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 4 months ago
Did you post this on the RAGBRAI page? There might be teams, trailers, etc coming from the East who would see it? Also, you need a large vehicle. I wonder if you could reach out to any trucking companies in the area who might have a driver without a load heading this direction or who could get you to Chicago were you might find an RV rental?…[Read more]
JLVanPelt replied to the topic 7 more days! in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 4 months ago
Team Zero Ducks will look to share a beverage with you out there!
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Receiving Materials? in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 4 months ago
I’m not sure the rookies know this but there are discounts for wearing your wristband by the various vendors and if you have to SAG, your bike will need a band (or I guess you could show pics on your phone as Ken H suggested). Basically, I wouldn’t wait to get to an overnight town to get the bands: you’ll need them when riding so if you are…[Read more]
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Receiving Materials? in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 4 months ago
I hate to add to the concern but my packet shipped verified via the usps website on July 3rd and it’s still not at my house. This is now officially a cluster.
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Davenport Airport Info Needed in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 5 months ago
I’ve messaged the admin of the Quad Cities Uber drivers facebook page to let her know that there will be more than usual rides needed on Thur-Fri-Sat for cyclists needing rides from hotels/airports/homes to shuttle staging. We have around 150 Uber drivers in the area now so hopefully most will be available and they’ll have a plan. The drive to…[Read more]
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Receiving Materials? in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 5 months ago
Hubby just rec’d his which shipped out two days prior to mine. Mine is not here. His went from Des Moines straight west the 180 miles to our house. Mine is in Memphis TN. This is fun.
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Receiving Materials? in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 5 months ago
R-Daryl Daryl, Having ridden with PBV a few times, I can confirm that the roll with it attitude is an expectation of their clients but you most assuredly will not get on their shuttle or in their camp without an official wristband that matches your application. I received my packet email two days ago and am hopeful that all is well when it arrives.
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Receiving Materials? in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 5 months ago
TJ said they’d be working today to ship. Hopefully everything goes out and arrives as planned because there’s not much wiggle room for those who have to track shipments that go awry. I keep thinking about the two couples we met last year in our charter who took three weeks to travel across the country from their coastal home, bike news hills and…[Read more]
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Daily Route Maps in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 5 months ago
I have downloaded the routes that some kind soul compiled for Garmin for the past few years. I’ve not looked at them every day but there were a couple of times in huge headwinds or driving rain that helped me know that a turn was right around the corner and I could tough it out.
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Newbie question! in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 6 months ago
I did my first two RAGBRAIs with mountain bike shoes and no clips at all due to a combination of fear, prior bad experiences with falling while trying clipless pedals and not being a strong cyclist in crowds. It was doable and for me to gain the confidence of one less thing to worry about, it was the right decision at that time. I’ve been in…[Read more]
JLVanPelt replied to the topic No Vendors outside of towns in first two counties in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 6 months ago
I think we’ve strayed a bit from route vs town to small vs big or local vs non-local and even government vs citizens. I can’t speak for all the big route based vendors but I do know that several of the mentioned “big” names that are typically en route vendors are local to the state. If this is about keeping money local, charge different fees. I…[Read more]
JLVanPelt replied to the topic No Vendors outside of towns in first two counties in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 6 months ago
http://www.dbrnews.com/news/no-rural-vending-for-ragbrai/article_a3fe5b16-5566-11e8-a62d-133326e68f79.html
It is clear to me that this group is uninformed. It seems that education is required. I’m sure hundreds of emails will help but it seems that RAGBRAI admin needs to get in front of these counties and explain that by trying to keep riders…[Read more]
JLVanPelt started the topic What I would love to see publicized in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 8 months ago
I attributed the number of new riders last year to the tag lines about it being the 3rd flattest, etc and I expect more of the same this year. I know we are all supposed to Ride Right but let’s be real, we are not going to bike 8 mph behind a line of riders in single file close to the shoulder for 7 days.
I’m not certain is mathematically…[Read more]
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Food? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 8 months ago
Healthy fare! While I love the indulgence of RAGBRAI food, having options to balance out the not so great stuff would be awesome: cold clementines, oranges, grapes, whole wheat bagels, wraps, carrot sticks, etc.
JLVanPelt replied to the topic Opinions on other Charters???? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 10 months ago
I am in search of the holy grail of Charters. The list: Coffee ready at 5:15am in the morning, a large tent that gets set up for me (the irony is we have a large tent and would happily pay for someone else to set it up and have my bags in it and tear it down each morning; we’re willing to sign a hold them harmless for the tent), a hot shower…[Read more]