GPS routes are available on ridewithgps.com. Mark47n is the creator and those files are linked to ragbrai.com. There is also a source NCBC of 2022 RAGBRAI files but I have no idea who that is. For now, I’d trust the files with Mark47n as the creator. However, nothing is finalized until after the route survey which is happening this week.
The files seem to work on my Garmin.
They are also on the app as Jonathan mentioned.
Imagine a major college football parking crowd in a small town with a limited number of ways in and out. That is the last two miles of RAGBRAI traffic. I’d suggest previewing multiple route options in Le Mars using Google Earth so you have familiarity with the road names. You should get within five or six blocks before you have to hoof it. Just enjoy the experience.
I had the same issue. RAGBRAI relied that they had to re-assign a number of wristband numbers for technical reasons. RAGBRAI also notified charters and Clinton parking of the new numbers. Bottom line: The number that came with your packet is good.
Brancel is a class act with a staff that goes out of their way to provide top of the line service. Not surprisingly, every year you see most of the same staff and riders which gives a bit of a family feeling. Unfortunately, some of my friends have had significant family events occur during the ride and Bob Brancel has always responded as necessary to assist the rider any way he can. Many charters provide similar services but without the personal touch. Just my opinion.
The forecast temperatures and humidity levels could make the first several days interesting. As previously noted: keep hydrated, ride slowly, and stop frequently. To be on the safe side, consider carrying a third water bottle in a jersey pocket. Estimates vary, but some articles state perspiration rates of 1.5 to 2.5 liters per hour are typical. I “fondly” remember the Karras Loop of 2012 as one of my most demanding rides and the Stratford “Luau On The Loop” is a distant, dehydrated haze.
I’ll admit that I frequently elect not to ride the Karras Loop anymore. I’ve done enough of them in prior years that getting an early shower takes precedence over earning a patch. However, I wonder how the planned 2019 Karras stacks up challenge wise to some of the more memorable earlier loops? If memory serves me, 2012 was supposedly the most difficult Karras Loop on paper and the 100+ degree temps that day made it even more painful. But riding the most demanding Karras Loop to date made it a must-do event. Will 2019 be next the next bucket ride loop?
Bag wise, there are myriad brands and price ranges available. Some bags will last nearly forever and others…not so much. However, I’m a firm believer in wheeled duffel bags. Rolling a bag, even over rough terrain, is significantly less challenging than carrying it.
Can you imagine the mental and physical anguish involved in ensuring an event of the magnitude of RAGBRAI succeeds? If any one Iowa town hosted a day long event with 10-20000 participants, it would be a huge deal. Now lengthen the activity to seven days, add multiple pass through towns to the mix, and finally balance rider enjoyment with safety resulting in the penultimate bike tour…RAGBRAI!
Boundless thanks to TJ and the staff for their endless hours spent ensuring everything works.
Exceptional video! Undoubtedly, time has created a legacy that TJ and his crew have continued to nurture. Thanks again for allowing us to add to that history every summer.
As Larry mentioned, talk to the kidlets. One of my fondest memories was stopping at a lemonade stand and hearing a munchkin yell out “Mom, we got one!” I guess sales had been a little slow that day.
I’m not associated with Brancel but I have used their services for six RAGBRAIs with no complaints. In fact, I chartered with Brancel for my first RAGBRAI and every other. I like the size of their charter, not too big and not too small. Most of their crew is family or friends of family so you see the same staff faces nearly every year. You also see a lot of repeat riders on their charter so they must be doing something right. Other charters also have histories of excellent customer service so if a charter has been around for a few years, you can probably be confident that they deliver a quality product.
Have fun on the ride.
GPS routes are available on ridewithgps.com. Mark47n is the creator and those files are linked to ragbrai.com. There is also a source NCBC of 2022 RAGBRAI files but I have no idea who that is. For now, I’d trust the files with Mark47n as the creator. However, nothing is finalized until after the route survey which is happening this week.
The files seem to work on my Garmin.
They are also on the app as Jonathan mentioned.
Imagine a major college football parking crowd in a small town with a limited number of ways in and out. That is the last two miles of RAGBRAI traffic. I’d suggest previewing multiple route options in Le Mars using Google Earth so you have familiarity with the road names. You should get within five or six blocks before you have to hoof it. Just enjoy the experience.
I had the same issue. RAGBRAI relied that they had to re-assign a number of wristband numbers for technical reasons. RAGBRAI also notified charters and Clinton parking of the new numbers. Bottom line: The number that came with your packet is good.
Brancel is a class act with a staff that goes out of their way to provide top of the line service. Not surprisingly, every year you see most of the same staff and riders which gives a bit of a family feeling. Unfortunately, some of my friends have had significant family events occur during the ride and Bob Brancel has always responded as necessary to assist the rider any way he can. Many charters provide similar services but without the personal touch. Just my opinion.
The forecast temperatures and humidity levels could make the first several days interesting. As previously noted: keep hydrated, ride slowly, and stop frequently. To be on the safe side, consider carrying a third water bottle in a jersey pocket. Estimates vary, but some articles state perspiration rates of 1.5 to 2.5 liters per hour are typical. I “fondly” remember the Karras Loop of 2012 as one of my most demanding rides and the Stratford “Luau On The Loop” is a distant, dehydrated haze.
Oops, link is missing https://www.pencitycurrent.com/2019/06/30/keokuks-set-ragbrai-dip-in-victory-park/
Supposedly, the Keokuk dip site will be near Victory Park. Here’s an article that was posted 30 Jun but take it with a grain of salt.
I’ll admit that I frequently elect not to ride the Karras Loop anymore. I’ve done enough of them in prior years that getting an early shower takes precedence over earning a patch. However, I wonder how the planned 2019 Karras stacks up challenge wise to some of the more memorable earlier loops? If memory serves me, 2012 was supposedly the most difficult Karras Loop on paper and the 100+ degree temps that day made it even more painful. But riding the most demanding Karras Loop to date made it a must-do event. Will 2019 be next the next bucket ride loop?
Bag wise, there are myriad brands and price ranges available. Some bags will last nearly forever and others…not so much. However, I’m a firm believer in wheeled duffel bags. Rolling a bag, even over rough terrain, is significantly less challenging than carrying it.
Have a great RAGBRAI!
Can you imagine the mental and physical anguish involved in ensuring an event of the magnitude of RAGBRAI succeeds? If any one Iowa town hosted a day long event with 10-20000 participants, it would be a huge deal. Now lengthen the activity to seven days, add multiple pass through towns to the mix, and finally balance rider enjoyment with safety resulting in the penultimate bike tour…RAGBRAI!
Boundless thanks to TJ and the staff for their endless hours spent ensuring everything works.
Exceptional video! Undoubtedly, time has created a legacy that TJ and his crew have continued to nurture. Thanks again for allowing us to add to that history every summer.
As Larry mentioned, talk to the kidlets. One of my fondest memories was stopping at a lemonade stand and hearing a munchkin yell out “Mom, we got one!” I guess sales had been a little slow that day.
Research with the Universal Translator yielded the following in Klingon: “Qo’, qatlh ghojwI’pu’lI’ RAGBRAI” or “RAGBRAI don’t care.”
Nice tag line but a little long to fit on a jersey.
As long as we have seven days of riding and go mainly easterly, I’m happy.
I’m not associated with Brancel but I have used their services for six RAGBRAIs with no complaints. In fact, I chartered with Brancel for my first RAGBRAI and every other. I like the size of their charter, not too big and not too small. Most of their crew is family or friends of family so you see the same staff faces nearly every year. You also see a lot of repeat riders on their charter so they must be doing something right. Other charters also have histories of excellent customer service so if a charter has been around for a few years, you can probably be confident that they deliver a quality product.
Have fun on the ride.
Go Kot and a small self inflating pad like a Thermarest. You can spend less on a cot but, in this case, you get what you pay for.