LawnchairMan
- Active 3 weeks, 5 days ago
LawnchairMan replied to the topic Observations about the ride in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Brady,
I think you misread some of my text about the highway patrol. I said they were standing there letting ME make sure I was safe. I expect them to watch traffic and warn me of cars or signal me to proceed. Officers I saw were more concerned about setting up their sound system.
And I WAS there during open route times. I may have started…[Read more]
LawnchairMan replied to the topic 8th Flattest Route? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months ago
Hi Tom,
Yes, the first day I had at least two hills of 8 or 9%. About four miles into day 4 (century day) I saw 12% just before we turned onto Nevada street. That was tougher for me than Keokuk. I’m pretty sure that the hill on Bridgeport road at the Skunk river was over 8% too. I think we had our share of hills this year.
LawnchairMan replied to the topic Weird thing in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
Yes, T. Gap,
I had an “Older than Dirt” T-shirt, but wore it out.
I certainly remember Alan Funt and Candid Camera!
And, yes, the asphalt incident was similar.
I’m sure you were as dumbfounded as I.
LawnchairMan replied to the topic "Reserved" Camping? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
I emailed the Ragbrai staff for the official policy of reservations in the main campground. This is what I was told:
“Campgrounds are not reserved within the Main Campgrounds. Reserved campgrounds are sometimes located right next to the main campgrounds, and may only be separated by rope.. again, it depends on the town. It could look like an area…[Read more]
LawnchairMan replied to the topic "Reserved" Camping? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
Hi Holly,
Thank you for contributing to the discussion and opening my eyes. Are you a Ragbrai official, or are you sharing your experience? I go with a charter where we are usually by ourselves. I had no idea that parts of the main campground could be reserved. What are the steps to reserve space? Do they have to pay more? I am already…[Read more]
LawnchairMan started the topic "Reserved" Camping? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
Barry brought up an interesting question in the Who Cheated? thread. How much space can be reserved in the main campground? Any? I can see myself marking an area for a buddy who has yet to finish, but not a whole section for 20 or 30 riders. It really should be first come first served in my opinion. Do teams have a non-rider drive ahead to…[Read more]
LawnchairMan replied to the topic E-Bikers, A Few Etiquette Improvements in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
I saw edge line rumbles back in Ragbrai 2012. I was riding in the dark next to a rider who had a headlight. I came so close to the deep rumbles that it scared me. Shortly after that I invested in a good headlight of my own.
LawnchairMan replied to the topic E-Bikers, A Few Etiquette Improvements in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
Thank you for the clarification, jwsknk. I assumed you meant edge line. And you were referring to the DOT in Ames? I assumed your hand had shifted on the keyboard. Auto-spell does get frustrating.
LawnchairMan replied to the topic E-Bikers, A Few Etiquette Improvements in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
What is a fig line?
LawnchairMan replied to the topic E-Bikers, A Few Etiquette Improvements in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
I had been guilty of misusing the term “on your left”. I first heard the term when I started riding with a club. It seemed that it was a notice of intent to pass, and if the rider in front had room to move to the right he/she should. Riding Ragbrai my announcement seemed to fall on deaf ears, so I would say it louder. Later I learned that it…[Read more]
LawnchairMan replied to the topic Anybody got hurt? Accident status? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
kbear, I think it was the same day that I had seen three deer cross the road in front of me. I was on level ground and they were far enough ahead of me that I was not endangered. It just seems that an interesting story like that would be in the news. I couldn’t find it. Thanks for the confirmation.
LawnchairMan replied to the topic Who cheated? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
You could say I cheated a little. Our charter camped in West Burlington Friday night so we didn’t go the main campground. That probably cut off two miles each way. I still got 75 miles the last day. I did the dip site and rode to my car. I dipped in the Missouri and I did a couple of rides in the towns, so I think it’s a wash. I got 513…[Read more]
LawnchairMan replied to the topic Anybody got hurt? Accident status? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
I heard that there was a rider taken down by a deer. I haven’t found any reports, so did it happen or was it just a rumor?
LawnchairMan replied to the topic E-Bikers, A Few Etiquette Improvements in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 1 week ago
Unfortunately I think there will always be some lack of courtesy or bike etiquette whether it is an e-bike or human powered. It may stand out more with trikes since they demand more room.
On the last day I was out early as usual and was about to announce “On your left” to pass a group of four on standard bikes. They just casually started…[Read more]
LawnchairMan replied to the topic Observations about the ride in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 2 weeks ago
I was underwhelmed by this ride.
There is never a guarantee of smooth roads, but lots of rough roads gets annoying.
I was not impressed by the Highway Patrol. I expected them to direct traffic. What I saw was officers just standing there letting me make sure I was safe to cross. And crossing the 218 there were no police anywhere!
Four foods…[Read more]
LawnchairMan started the topic Weird thing in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 2 weeks ago
This is the weirdest thing that happened to me and my bike. I stopped at Douds for a pit stop. Since my recumbent doesn’t do well with the stretched cable bike stand, I looked for something to lean my bike on.
A street / stop sign looked like a good place. Wrong! I leaned my 19 pound bike against the stop sign and it fell over taking my bike…[Read more]
LawnchairMan replied to the topic Killer Roads? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Yes, the railroad tracks in Mystic were harsh. There was a patrol car sitting off to the right, but there were no signs or officers telling us to slow. I hate to lose my momentum, so I hit it full bore. I got a real jolt, but stayed upright. I think it must have loosened my headlight, though, because when I got into Centerville my light fell…[Read more]
LawnchairMan replied to the topic IA Beer Bus and Craft Beer Tent denied licenses on Day 1 in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 months ago
So, you have two places the first day?
LawnchairMan replied to the topic How's the training? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 months ago
Haven’t trained as much this year as last. Should still do OK, but may have to ride slower.
One of my discouragements was a mechanical. I kept hearing a hollow clicking like the bike was on the verge of shifting, but I couldn’t find the cause. It got so I didn’t want to ride. I now have it narrowed to my rear hub, so I will have to open it…[Read more]
LawnchairMan replied to the topic Hill grades in the forum RAGBRAI XLVII – 2019 4 months ago
I have found that Ride with GPS underestimates grades. Test with a hill you know and see if it agrees. I have also found that mapping a short area can give a steeper grade for a particular hill than when mapping a whole route.
By the way, I used Ride with GPS for quite a while before I found the grade. I think you have to click on the word…[Read more]