My advice for anyone with the wristband that has the wrong number is to just wear the wristband and forget about trying to get the correct wristband. The crowd is too big for anyone to check numbers.
We have a group of 5 from north Arkansas that will arrive in Davenport Friday night the 21st. We plan to stay in the Holiday Inn across the river in Grand Island, Ill. We have a Enterprise rental car that holds 5going to SC. Two of our group is driving a Uhal truck carrying bikes and bags. We have a paid rider joining us at the Holiday Inn Saturday morning so we have one seat left. The shared cost is $200. If you want to be the 5th person in the car let me know. Phone is 870-219-8867
HEINES, don’t try to carry a backpack or a load on your bike. Pack everything in a soft side suitcase, pack everything in it and throw it on the transfer truck in the morning. It will unload at the ride end…probably by the river.
Another tip, be sure to find out where the ride ends in Davenport. It looks like it will end at Veterans Park. Your girlfriend may not be able to get too close to VP…she may have to park aways off and walk to VP. Anyway a cell phone may or may not work due to the huge crowd. Have a great ride.
Suzanne, the main campground is the official RAGBRAI campground. If in that camp then put your bag on their truck in the morning, follow the signs when biking into overnight towns, go to the bag truck, get your bag and set up your tent anywhere. If it is hot the shade trees will be taken so set up anywhere else. It is best to stay away from the toilets, the doors open and close all night long, so it is noisy it you are close to them. Remember where your tent is by being close to an object like a pole. That way if you get up in the night you can find your tent. There will be thousands of tents scattered all over the place, no organization. This is a great ride, enjoy.
A comment about Home Stays and Hotels; The best part of RAGBRAI, apart from the bike riding itself, is the convivence of everything. There is always plenty of food at various locations, the water stands are handy, and the bike shops are frequent. If you use the campground system, it too is very connivant. You pack your tent in a bag, get up in the morning and pack up, throw it on the transport truck and ride all day without a thought until you get to the overnight town. As you enter the town you see a sign directing you to your campground. After finding the campground, and that is easy…just follow the crowd, you locate you bag, set up your tent and shower. If you wish you can take a bus to the activities and supper. After going back to the campground, you go to sleep, get up in the morning and repeat.
If in Home or Hotel, then as you enter town you have to fine the location, ride to the activities and supper, or rely on the home host to provide. If you want to go to all of the activities, then you have to try find those.
Also, a big part of RAGBRAI is being with all of the other riders, yes, all 15000 of them. Homes and Hotels run up you cost and make everything much more complicated.
If you want to stay in other’s home or a hotel, why don’t you just stay home, call Aunt Mildred who lives about 100 miles away, ride over to see her, then get up the next morning and ride home.
RAGBRAI is designed as a camping experience. Why make things complicated?
I road the 1st three days to Emmetsburg. That night I woke with fever so went to the 1st aid station where I tested positive for the virus. The nurse said that I had to go home so with much effort, my pal and I packed up and drove to my truck in the Quad City area. We picked up my truck, returned the rental car to Emmetsburg then headed out to home, Arkansas.
The virus was a typical case and ran it’s course in 5 days, now testing negative but still masked.
I enjoyed the ride, the virus was no one’s fault. That’s just the luck of the draw. Where did I get the virus? No idea. With elbow to elbow traffic in some towns I am not surprised that I came down sick.
Thank you RAGBRAI people for the ride and support.
I have never seen a location directory of the campgrounds. In the past you just watch for signs as you ride into the overnight towns for directions to your campground.
RidenArt, I had the same situation two years ago. What I did was posting from time to time on this Forum that I needed a ride back across Iowa. A bike club going my way offered a ride for a little money, it worked out great. Try that.
Use the tent that is most comfortable because you don’t have to carry it. Every morning you pack it up with your belongings and put it on the transfer truck. They unload it at the campground.
Two… You don’t need to carry food, there is plenty at affordable prices. Also, the official camp ground is free and always lots of space and in good locations with showers, water and transport to downtown.
Nathan, I would encourage you to go with the RAGBRAI campgrounds. They transport your bag and have great campgrounds. The only reason tp use a charter is if you don’t have a tent and if you need transportation from home to the ride and back home.
My advice for anyone with the wristband that has the wrong number is to just wear the wristband and forget about trying to get the correct wristband. The crowd is too big for anyone to check numbers.
We have a group of 5 from north Arkansas that will arrive in Davenport Friday night the 21st. We plan to stay in the Holiday Inn across the river in Grand Island, Ill. We have a Enterprise rental car that holds 5going to SC. Two of our group is driving a Uhal truck carrying bikes and bags. We have a paid rider joining us at the Holiday Inn Saturday morning so we have one seat left. The shared cost is $200. If you want to be the 5th person in the car let me know. Phone is 870-219-8867
If you have a bag to check into the transport truck, you will have to go to the main campground to drop the bag. That is where the ride starts.
HEINES, don’t try to carry a backpack or a load on your bike. Pack everything in a soft side suitcase, pack everything in it and throw it on the transfer truck in the morning. It will unload at the ride end…probably by the river.
Another tip, be sure to find out where the ride ends in Davenport. It looks like it will end at Veterans Park. Your girlfriend may not be able to get too close to VP…she may have to park aways off and walk to VP. Anyway a cell phone may or may not work due to the huge crowd. Have a great ride.
Suzanne, the main campground is the official RAGBRAI campground. If in that camp then put your bag on their truck in the morning, follow the signs when biking into overnight towns, go to the bag truck, get your bag and set up your tent anywhere. If it is hot the shade trees will be taken so set up anywhere else. It is best to stay away from the toilets, the doors open and close all night long, so it is noisy it you are close to them. Remember where your tent is by being close to an object like a pole. That way if you get up in the night you can find your tent. There will be thousands of tents scattered all over the place, no organization. This is a great ride, enjoy.
A comment about Home Stays and Hotels; The best part of RAGBRAI, apart from the bike riding itself, is the convivence of everything. There is always plenty of food at various locations, the water stands are handy, and the bike shops are frequent. If you use the campground system, it too is very connivant. You pack your tent in a bag, get up in the morning and pack up, throw it on the transport truck and ride all day without a thought until you get to the overnight town. As you enter the town you see a sign directing you to your campground. After finding the campground, and that is easy…just follow the crowd, you locate you bag, set up your tent and shower. If you wish you can take a bus to the activities and supper. After going back to the campground, you go to sleep, get up in the morning and repeat.
If in Home or Hotel, then as you enter town you have to fine the location, ride to the activities and supper, or rely on the home host to provide. If you want to go to all of the activities, then you have to try find those.
Also, a big part of RAGBRAI is being with all of the other riders, yes, all 15000 of them. Homes and Hotels run up you cost and make everything much more complicated.
If you want to stay in other’s home or a hotel, why don’t you just stay home, call Aunt Mildred who lives about 100 miles away, ride over to see her, then get up the next morning and ride home.
RAGBRAI is designed as a camping experience. Why make things complicated?
I road the 1st three days to Emmetsburg. That night I woke with fever so went to the 1st aid station where I tested positive for the virus. The nurse said that I had to go home so with much effort, my pal and I packed up and drove to my truck in the Quad City area. We picked up my truck, returned the rental car to Emmetsburg then headed out to home, Arkansas.
The virus was a typical case and ran it’s course in 5 days, now testing negative but still masked.
I enjoyed the ride, the virus was no one’s fault. That’s just the luck of the draw. Where did I get the virus? No idea. With elbow to elbow traffic in some towns I am not surprised that I came down sick.
Thank you RAGBRAI people for the ride and support.
I have never seen a location directory of the campgrounds. In the past you just watch for signs as you ride into the overnight towns for directions to your campground.
Maps, why do anybody need a map? Just follow the crowd.
RidenArt, I had the same situation two years ago. What I did was posting from time to time on this Forum that I needed a ride back across Iowa. A bike club going my way offered a ride for a little money, it worked out great. Try that.
Use the tent that is most comfortable because you don’t have to carry it. Every morning you pack it up with your belongings and put it on the transfer truck. They unload it at the campground.
Two… You don’t need to carry food, there is plenty at affordable prices. Also, the official camp ground is free and always lots of space and in good locations with showers, water and transport to downtown.
Nathan, I would encourage you to go with the RAGBRAI campgrounds. They transport your bag and have great campgrounds. The only reason tp use a charter is if you don’t have a tent and if you need transportation from home to the ride and back home.
Thanks