Larry Klaaren
- Active 1 month, 3 weeks ago
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Reducing Single-Use Plastic on RAGBRAI…. in the forum RAGBRAI XLIX – 2022 5 months, 2 weeks ago
NPR did a study on recycling. Virtually all of our recyclables were purchased by China until a year or two ago. Plastic is actually not truly recyclable. That was all a ruse to placate people. The product degrades very quickly and has very few uses.
At this time most recyclable materials are crushed and taken to the dump. In the Chicago…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Camping in Lansing on Fri night? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIX – 2022 5 months, 3 weeks ago
I think this is a new thing also and I was a little disappointed. Besides parking and eating in town on Friday night, we will be back on the next Saturday. Not sure how to feel about it.
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Best Charters in the forum Clubs, Teams & Charters 7 months, 4 weeks ago
I have asked about charters during the ride in previous years, and apparently all of the charters on RAGBRAI deliver what they say they will and are a good value for the price. So look em up and take your pick. There is plenty of entertainment and food available all over the towns, so there is that.
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic What is the issue around town shut down times? in the forum Miscellaneous 8 months, 2 weeks ago
According to RAGBRAI the towns are shut down sequentially so the ride and services end in the host town at 6 pm. The Highway Patron assigned to RAGBRAI and the medical teams are paid by RAGBRAI for a twelve hour shift. A longer day would require hiring a second shift of those personnel, which would incur higher registration costs for all the…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Camping prior to Start in the forum Miscellaneous 8 months, 3 weeks ago
You may want to consider driving to the end town on Friday. You can camp there and get a ride for you and your bike from a charter to the start town on Saturday.
That is particularly true if you come from the east. You will not want to wait for other folks to finish, then ride west across Iowa on a bus the Saturday after the ride and then drive…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Rain gear in the forum Miscellaneous 8 months, 3 weeks ago
Hey Tim!
I don’t carry a raincoar unless the forecast warrants it. I bungee cord it to the frame of my bike as I use a very small bag on the bike, and also I can get it out quickly if I need to do that.
My bag holds a spare tire and change kit, some patches, some toilet paper, a lock, and an i.d. card. And chap stick. You will need that. The…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Fly or Drive in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2021 9 months ago
Hello, Larry Klaaren!
Thanks for the tip on Seven Mountains winery.
You’re welcome Mr. Woo! Guess I haven’t been on much lately.
Enjoy the wine!
Larry
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Fly or Drive in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2021 9 months, 2 weeks ago
I forgot to say “Merry Christmas T Gap and everybody else!” I am retiring in March, so I will probably be on the ride this year and will see you there, depending on when and if we can get in to the Netherlands to visit some family. Biking there is fun also.
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Fly or Drive in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2021 9 months, 2 weeks ago
The Seven Mountains Wine Cellars has strawberry rhubarb wine for sale. It is $14 a bottle. They have a website and can ship, at least in Pennsylvania. I googled it and a couple of other places showed up.
SEVEN MOUNTAINS WINE CELLARS
GPS Address
324 Decker Valley Rd,
Spring Mills, PA 16875
Mailing Address:
107 Mountain Springs Lane
Spring…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Guess the Route 2022 in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2021 9 months, 2 weeks ago
I am to make a guess that it is not going to start at the Missouri river this year. I think they will start north of Sioux City, where the MIssouri dodges west. So, my guess is that it will start by the Big Sioux somewhere. But wouldn’t it be crazy if it could start in Carter Lake, Iowa, west of the Missouri? Then we would have to travel…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Fly or Drive in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2021 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Besides many memories, we bring back a case of strawberry rhubarb wine. For some reason, we can only find an abundant supply of this wine west of the Mississippi River, although there is one winery in West Virginia we found in our meanderings.
If you drop off the interstate in Indiana or Ohio, and go to an Amish area, you will most likely find…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Aftershokz in the forum Miscellaneous 9 months, 3 weeks ago
I forgot to mention that Aftershokz will play music from your phone too.
All I use if for is to play podcasts, as I said, I don’t answer the phone unless it is my wife. I actually put the phone on “Do Not Disturb” and it won’t let any body but my wife or kids call through. Everybody else can wait 90 minutes or whatever.
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Aftershokz in the forum Miscellaneous 9 months, 3 weeks ago
I have a similar problem when I am running, especially if I have on a hoodie . The loop pushes against the hoodie. I am not a big person and I would like to make the loop smaller, but I don’t think that happens. I really like them though for the same reasons, although I don’t answer the phone when I am running or riding. My wife, kids and…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic Fly or Drive in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2021 10 months, 1 week ago
As to the question you asked, parking at the end town is not a problem. They usually have lots reserved with some security. When I have used it, it was the parking lot at a college that was not in session and it was right by the charter I used to get to the start town. Be sure to find your ride to the start town first and then arrange the…[Read more]
Larry Klaaren replied to the topic No lottery for 2022 in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2021 10 months, 2 weeks 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 10 months, 2 weeks 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 10 months, 2 weeks 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 10 months, 2 weeks 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 11 months, 3 weeks 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 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]
