Larry Klaaren
- Active 1 month, 1 week ago
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Cell Phone Service on the Ride in the forum RAGBRAI L – 2023 1 month, 1 week ago
I drove from Chicago to Iowa every other weekend for six years while my parents were in nursing homes. Because of special care they were eighty miles apart. I can assure you that AT&T doesn’t work well most places in Iowa on a good day, except right along the interstate. My folks are from SE iowa, and we have relatives up north and I have…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic No lottery for 2022 in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2021 1 year, 6 months ago
How does it help with hotels when no one knows the route until late January?
Previously you did not know until May. But you are right, you would not be able to do that part of the planning until January, but it gives you a solid four more months to sort that out. I think the biggest benefit is to the Register as they can start sending out…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic No lottery for 2022 in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2021 1 year, 6 months ago
I forgot to mention, Andrea also said that once you are registered, you can go ahead and schedule the week off, get hotel or RV sites and all of that type of thing for your trip to Iowa and/or the ride without worrying about cancellation penalties.
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic No lottery for 2022 in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2021 1 year, 6 months ago
On the RAGBRAI podcast they said that this will help the people who work there and the riders in a couple of ways. They only have three people who answer e-mails, and this should spread out the e-mail flood they get about registration. They will also be able to start processing and mailing packets earlier, since they don’t have to wait and see…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic No lottery for 2022 in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2021 1 year, 6 months ago
We are traveling from Chicagoland and need to plan ahead with family, work, and especially TRAVEL. My original thought is to drive ourselves, gear in tow, as we will not have a support vehicle with us.
Keep your eyes open in this forum and do some googling for “Illinois RAGBRAI” and such terms. There are a few bike clubs in Chicago that offer…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Training break. in the forum Training 1 year, 7 months ago
You’ll be fine. I have never had more than 400 miles before the start of RAGBRAI, and can do training rides on Wednesdays and Sundays, and I don’t really get all that fatigued on the ride. I am 67 years old. You may need to take a break in the middle of a long, hot, hilly, day, but if you are in that kind of shape going into the break, I think…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Biking software in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2021 1 year, 8 months ago
What happened to just going out for a bike ride because it was enjoyable and fun? All this data collection and other shit just seems to turn it into work.
There is that danger. I have a Garmin watch and it uploads to Garmin Connect and to Strava. I enjoy matching up with previous rides on the same route as far as speed and pacing. The Garmin…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Forced route through towns? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2021 1 year, 8 months ago
There is a once in a while that I don’t feel like walking through the town or dealing with it. I agree with the people that point out that for safety issues, it is best to stay on the route, or to ride a side street through the town. But I do think the OP has a point in that even if he is not patronizing the vendors along the way very much, he…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Covid Concerns in the forum Miscellaneous 1 year, 10 months ago
I couldn’t find someone to work for me this year. Imagine that in this bustiness environment. I am 68, and all of my friends and the relatives I socialize with are 68. I would wear a mask just to protect them. It is well known that vaccinated people can contract a mild case and spread the virus, but rarely pass away. I would hope that younger…[Read more]
