montestaples
- Active 3 months, 2 weeks ago
montestaples replied to the topic Getting in touch with people when cell phones not working in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2020 6 months, 4 weeks ago
I have always had Verizon for the last 14 years on RAGBRAI. Text messaging is much more likely to work although I have received some messages even the next day back in 2011 I think. It seems to me that phone service on RAGBRAI has gotten better over the years. In recent years RAGBRAI has provided a few portable cell towers in the overnight towns…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic RAIN! in the forum Miscellaneous 6 months, 4 weeks ago
Becky Gilreath said:
I have a question about gear…I have a couple of rain jackets, so I’m good. But I’m not sure what to do with my head. I thought I wanted a hooded jacket, but then I started to think how hard it would be to turn my head to check traffic etc.
So what do you suggest as a head covering?[/quote]
One rainy RAGBRAI day I had a groce…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic RAIN! in the forum Miscellaneous 6 months, 4 weeks ago
In 2011 my daughter and I rode all day in a cold rain. We eventually took refuge in a convenience store in a tiny pass though town along with about 200 other riders. They kept making hot chocolate and running a wet-vac to keep the water level on the floor below 1/2 inch. Eventually someone yelled “I got the weather to work (on a laptop). It’s…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic Biking coast-to-coast and RAGBRAI: advice wanted in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2020 6 months, 4 weeks ago
Thank you Gypsy Rose for the great story. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt and I had tears running down my face. I will carry that mental image for a long time.
montestaples replied to the topic Does anyone ride a decent high end road bike? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVIII – 2020 6 months, 4 weeks ago
I have been on 14 RAGBRAIs and never been concerned about locking my bike. It is mid-range in cost, about $2000. However a few times I was starting to think it was stolen but turned out I was looking in the wrong place. The worst was at a mid-day stop, parked in a large hay-field. When I parked there were only a few bikes. When I went to leave…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic CPAP? in the forum Miscellaneous 6 months, 4 weeks ago
The Schumacher Multi-functional Portable Digital Power Station in an answer above would probably work as it has an 18 amp/hour battery. However it is a starting battery and a lead/acid battery so it is not likely to be a deep cycle battery. If you deeply discharge it too many times it probably won’t last very long. I would get one without a…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic CPAP? in the forum Miscellaneous 6 months, 4 weeks ago
I worked for a respiratory home care company for 10 years so I worked with many hundreds of CPAP and BiPAP patients. Any normal CPAP/BiPAP will run on an inverter (convert 12 volts to 120 volts) attached to a battery, most likely as large as a car battery. There are some small portable CPAPs designed for travel use but it may depend on your…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic Charter Q from first timer – Pork Belly Ventures vs. Central Iowa Charters in the forum Clubs, Teams & Charters 6 months, 4 weeks ago
Central Iowa Charters (CIC) changed names last year. Before that it was Lake Country Cyclists (LCC), named after a bike club in Ankeny, Iowa. They have been around a long time and always had riders not in the club. They are much smaller than Pork Belly Ventures with about 80-100 riders. Almost everybody brings their own tent and most set it up…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic Laundry in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 2 months ago
On 12 RAGBRAIs I have usually found a laundromat mid-week. It is best to locate them before RAGBRAI and plan ahead because internet access on a smart phone is pretty iffy during RAGBRAI. I carry one of those really inexpensive (free) backpacks with cords over the shoulders just to carry a load of laundry while riding. Works fine but not…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic No License Plates this Year? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 2 months ago
I always thought the license plates were a good idea and have always used one. However most people do not use them so I was not surprised when one was not in the packet. I think they finally decided not to bother and save some money. It seems to me that more people around camp knew my name than I knew theirs. And sometimes out on the road I was…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic Question regarding tent and baggage in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 2 months ago
How many people does a 30 pound tent hold. That thing must be huge. Or maybe you keep your bikes inside at night, not common but I have seen it done. I agree that the baggage tag is valid so use it. No-one will know or care. You paid for it.
montestaples replied to the topic Training is done. Time to ride. in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 2 months ago
Training for the first part…..done. However training for the second part I usually avoid before RAGBRAI. Pretty easy to get back in the groove. Besides I gain enough weight during RAGBRAI, it is best not to start early.
montestaples replied to the topic Anyone taking a FAT BIKE across Iowa? in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 2 months ago
I think I saw my first fat-tire bike on RAGBRAI 3 years ago and then only 1 that I know of. Last year they were common enough that they are no longer unusual. I do not have one but have followed a fat-bike for several miles at a blistering pace. If you have been training on a fat bike go for it.
montestaples replied to the topic Are there laundry services available? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 2 months ago
Generally no. However some charters do offer laundry service but at this point I would think you would know that by now if going with a charter. I have usually been able to find a laundromat in an overnight town, mid-week on 12 previous RAGBRAIs. However expect it to be very busy. It really helps with the smell to wash a load mid-week. It is best…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic Maddie Poppe has won American Idol in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 4 months ago
I had the privilege of seeing Maddie on RAGBRAI in 2014. I was riding through Clarksville and was reeled in by her beautiful voice. She was performing on a flatbed trailer. For and hour and a half I was mesmerized and unable to leave until she left the stage. After I threw a few dollar bills in her guitar case I asked around to see if anyone could…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic RAGBRAI Virgin: How to Plan Food on RAGBRAI? in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 4 months ago
You can find coffee every day with ease. If nothing else almost every town in Iowa has a Casey’s obviously with coffee (and ice). I normally drink strong coffee every day but never on RAGBRAI because if I do I tend to get leg cramps. However to prevent caffeine withdrawal headaches I use various flavors of GU packs (or many other brands) with…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic Solar Charger Suggestions in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 4 months ago
I have looked long and hard at solar panels to do what you propose. In my opinion the math does not work out unless you are pulling a trailer on which to mount a much larger solar panel than you could ever mount on your bike. The output is just way too low to be of any use. I do use a couple of battery packs. A 10,000 to 20,000 mAh lithium ion…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic Newbie question! in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 4 months ago
Regarding safety of clip-in pedals over platform pedals. It did not happen on RAGBRAI but my son once slipped off a platform pedal when riding. He had a hole in his upper shin where the pedal hit him. It was similar in size to the end of a 2-by-4. The Dr lost count of the number of stitches somewhere past 30. That does not happen when clipped in.
montestaples replied to the topic Newbie question! in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 2 years, 4 months ago
I would definitely use the clip-in pedals and bike shoes. You will get used to them and it will be way more efficient and safer. My first time trying clip-in pedals, I clipped in my right foot, leaned over to look, and lifted my left foot off the garage floor. I do not recommend doing that. Luckily no-body saw me. A couple things to watch out for…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic Rain?! in the forum Miscellaneous 2 years, 4 months ago
2014 coming into Tripoli was really tough. It was not only raining but cold and windy. That morning I rode through a very high headwind at the front edge of a cold front. I was in my lowest granny gear going 1.2 mph and barely managed to stay on the rode. Most people were in the ditch hanging on to weeds. I don’t know how high that wind was but I…[Read more]