RAGBRAI LI Route Announced on Jan. 27!
montestaples replied to the topic Charter Q from first timer – Pork Belly Ventures vs. Central Iowa Charters in the forum Clubs, Teams & Charters 4 years, 1 month 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 5 years, 8 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 5 years, 8 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 5 years, 8 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 5 years, 8 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 5 years, 8 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 5 years, 8 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 5 years, 10 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 5 years, 10 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 5 years, 10 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 5 years, 10 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 5 years, 10 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 5 years, 10 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]
montestaples replied to the topic Maddie Poppe in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 5 years, 11 months ago
In 2014 RAGBRAI went through Clarksville, Maddie’s hometown. Passing through town I heard Maddie singing and was mesmerized, unable to leave, until she left the stage. The only place I could go during that hour and a half was up to a guitar case in front of the stage to add to a huge pile of money. I even asked around to see if someone would break…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic Team Air Force in the forum RAGBRAI XLV – 2017 6 years ago
As others have noted above, the Air Force Team is not only on RAGBRAI to ride and have fun. They are there to serve. A few years ago I witnessed the Air Force Team arriving at the dip site en masse. There were about 100 on the team that year. It was a very moving, patriotic experience that I will never forget.
montestaples replied to the topic Buying a new sleeping bag. in the forum Miscellaneous 6 years ago
For 12 years I have used a bag rated down to 40 degrees. It has always been fine. On really hot nights I just lay on top of it. On a few nights when the heat index was near 100 degrees I used my water bottle to dampen a camp towel, the kind you can wring out almost dry. Sleeping under it, the evaporation worked like a little AC.
montestaples replied to the topic 2018 Hills in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 6 years ago
A few years ago coming into Indianola there was a sign at the bottom of a short steep hill. It said “one more hill”. I thought, “OK, lets see what I got left.” and I blasted up the hill and burned out my legs. I soon learned the sign meant one more hill after this one. A sick joke if you ask me. I barely made it up the next hill and nearly fell…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic What I would love to see publicized in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 6 years ago
Rumbles are not a problem. It is fine to avoid them if you are not in a lot of traffic, but tell yourself 100 times “If I am surprised by rumbles, I will not swerve.” This could save you from serious injury. A few RAGBRAIs ago I was coming down a long hill with a little dogleg at the bottom. I hit rumbles at over 40 mph. I saw them maybe a second…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic Puch bike in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 6 years ago
My first RAGBRAI was on a 28 year old Gitane. Every time my bike was loaded or unloaded on the truck someone said “heavy blue bike”. I had ridden it hard getting ready for RAGBRAI and had broken and replaced everything that was going to break. I trashed the crank bearing and broke two consecutive teeth and bent the next on the original rear…[Read more]
montestaples replied to the topic What I would love to see publicized in the forum RAGBRAI XLVI – 2018 6 years ago
I agree that your advice is very common sense but that common sense is not common. I hope every new rider reads your advice.
In 2011 riding up Twister Hill, between Pilot mound and Boone, I pulled up behind 4 people walking side by side, from the right shoulder to near the center line. It was too slow to ride so I passed as close as I could on…[Read more]