RAGBRAI LI Route Announced on Jan. 27!
Craig Parson replied to the topic Recumbent Bike Advice in the forum Miscellaneous 6 years, 10 months ago
First off riding a recumbent is very similar to having weight on your bent knee especially uphill so you might want to push hard on a recumbent bike at your gym first to be sure. I like recumbents so I am not trying to talk you out of it but I want to make sure it will do what you want.
In general you want to look for long wheelbase bikes or…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic 700x25c or 700x28c Armadillo All Condition Elites? in the forum RAGBRAI XLV – 2017 6 years, 11 months ago
What would Sir-Mix-Alot run on his bike?
As big as will fit in both places, we are on backroads that may or may not have repairs made with bicycles in mind. There will be large potholes and cracks that will attempt to eat your tire and not let you out of the groove. Hazards just appear from underneath and between other peoples bikes on Ragbrai…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic Pace Lines in the forum RAGBRAI XLV – 2017 6 years, 11 months ago
There is no getting rid of pacelines, people look at them as free speed. This thread is just going to be for people who hate them to vent, you will not eliminate them. I have not seen any danger created by a paceline personally so far. A choreographed rotating paceline is not something I have ever seen on Ragbrai, I have only seen people who…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic Pace Lines in the forum RAGBRAI XLV – 2017 6 years, 11 months ago
There is no getting rid of pacelines, people look at them as free speed. This thread is just going to be for people who hate them to vent, you will not eliminate them. I have not seen any danger created by a paceline personally so far. A choreographed rotating paceline is not something I have ever seen on Ragbrai, I have only seen people who…[Read more]
Craig Parson changed their profile picture 7 years, 1 month ago
Craig Parson replied to the topic This is my first RagBrai, looking for advice. in the forum RAGBRAI XLV – 2017 7 years, 2 months ago
Most years this event will be hot and humid. I have not used more than a summer bag ever, I find a sheet a pad and a fan is the usual order of business. The way back to your car is always the hardest part. There is already someone who has a system in place and your job is find a team that works for you. Joining a team allows you to have pooled…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic Tent choice in the forum RAGBRAI XLV – 2017 7 years, 2 months ago
I recommend an Alps Mountaineering Chaos 3 tent. I am 5’10 and my stoker was 5’11”. It is a 3 person tent with aluminum poles, 2 doors ( I can’t stress how important this is) and two vestibules to stash gear oustide of the tent but out of the rain. Lots of mesh. I paid only about 100 bucks for this and I would buy another one in a second if…[Read more]
Craig Parson started the topic Vendor selling shorts that unzipped to become more casusal in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 7 years, 7 months ago
I spoke with a vendor that was selling shorts that fit tight while riding and then had a zipper down the outer thigh that would let them out for a more casual look. I can’t find any info on them and I can’t remember the company name or even the town. Does anybody here have a better memory than I do?
Thanks,
Craig
Craig Parson replied to the topic Random RAGBRAI Thoughts For 2016 in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 7 years, 7 months ago
Way more dangerous than someone riding slow two-abreast are the people riding far left who assume if they lower their head they are the fastest thing out there. Tandems, recumbents, handcycles and fat guys are really fast downhill and “on your left” cannot be screamed loud enough as the wind noise above 30 is hard to overcome. I do my best to…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic Do you lock your bike? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 7 years, 8 months ago
I have never locked my bikes. I am not saying nobody has had a bike stolen over on Ragbrai, but I have never met anyone who had it happen. Friend of a friend heard that some guys sister had it happen..
I don’t think the educated thief who knows which bike has better components is the guy who you need to worry about. It’s the impress his…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic Bug Report in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 7 years, 8 months ago
I am in southeast iowa and it’s not the biting bugs, it’s “dogpecker gnats”. They can be in swarms and you will have them on your eyeballs unless you wear glasses when your ride. They are difficult to see until it’s too late. Misquitoes have been thin this year, I actually forgot they exist.
Craig
Craig Parson replied to the topic Where do Ragbrai people shower? in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 7 years, 8 months ago
The last shower line at a building was a 2 hour wait. You were told the wait was a half hour as you entered line, but that was just a lie. On the way back to camp I saw people showering with cold water from a garden hose and thought “never again”. I don’t ever want to wait 2 hours for a shower, give me the hose. I would rather take a “whore…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic Packing in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 7 years, 8 months ago
I bring Doctor Bronner’s peppermint soap and Gold Bond powder. I like to leave the shower with my body feeling like my mouth feels after I brush my teeth “cold and minty fresh”. “I’m just so fresh uh, so fresh and so clean”-Andre3000
I think I may bring a frisbee this year. I am also bringing a lazmac, it’s an inflatable couch that is…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic More Newbie Questions in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 7 years, 8 months ago
I would not plan on a cell phone working at all. The cell network in these areas is overwhelmed by everyone arriving, there is no reason for it to be able to handle this much traffic the rest of the year.
Finding your driver/support team is can be challenging. Even if you do have a cell phone. My first year the camping areas got changed during…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic Day 1 – Question in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 7 years, 8 months ago
I understand that pictures will be taken but it can be taken to an extreme, if the dip site is not wide enough to get the job done you should be courteous and think of others. Keep it short and keep the line flowing, if everyone took all the pictures they wanted it would have taken the whole week to funnel people through that dip site. My point…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic How to not get run over this year in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 7 years, 8 months ago
I am not worried about safety on the Ragbrai. I just want everyone to make it to the Ragbrai. Public roads are dangerous as most people don’t know how to treat coming upon a cyclist who is not riding at the speed limit. Cyclists don’t help matter either as everyone seems to follow their own set of rules or none at all which adds fear to the…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic Day 1 – Question in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 7 years, 8 months ago
My impression of the first morning on my first Ragbrai was basically: This is crowded and these people don’t have control of their bikes. I need to make sure I have a “bubble” around me to protect myself. Nobody seemed to have the skill to take a drink without swerving 18 inches or was aware that anyone else was around them. Keep in mind my…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic How to not get run over this year in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 7 years, 8 months ago
Still alive, probably going to survive until Ragbrai fingers crossed. Got close-passed this weekend by a pickup and when my buddy gave him the “what the hell” raised arms the guy slammed on his brakes, began lecturing us. He then tried to claim he was a cyclist, why the close pass then? People are crazy, people are stupid. Protect yourself and…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic How to avoid being killed by cars in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 7 years, 8 months ago
Ahh riding against traffic. These people are referred to as salmon because they are making their way against the current and towards their demise. I have not attempted to educate one yet, but my guess is it would not be received well. Really this needs taught in school and the kids can correct the parents, just like they taught them they need…[Read more]
Craig Parson replied to the topic First timer here in the forum RAGBRAI XLIV – 2016 7 years, 9 months ago
There is usually some pvc contraption that allows 40 people at a time to fill their bottles for free at most towns. You will not run out of water if you top of each time you see one. Carry two bottles, keep them filled you will be fine on the free water.
Yes you can also buy water or whatever beverage you want along the route also. What you…[Read more]