RIDE RIGHT Safety Tip #10: The RIGHT Condition

This is my final article on RIDE RIGHT before the big ride.  Ironically, the big tip is “Get yourself in good physical shape.”  We start riding on Sunday, so if you aren’t in shape by now carefully think about your RAGBRAI plans.  Hopefully, you have been following along with Coach Ertl’s blog and you have trained to peak physical condition.  

Over the past two months, I have written articles on choosing a bike, wearing a helmet, communicating to other riders, riding safely and legally, keeping focused on what is going on around you, making sure you are able to ride, keeping a positive attitude, and paying attention while riding.  There will be a lot of people on the road and keeping all the RIDE RIGHT safety tips in mind will be important.  

Being in physical shape to ride is important, but don’t let me scare you from riding.  Bicycling is not terribly strenuous – except maybe the first two days this year.  :)  RAGBRAI is a long-distance touring event.  It is not a race.  You should stop often, rest in pass-through towns, and fill up with water and food when you need to.  

Break up the ride into short segments.  Towns are evenly spaced, so think about stopping every 10 miles or when you reach a town.  Find some shade and some pie.  Take in the entertainment.  While you are doing this, you are letting your legs recover and you body temperature cool.  

As I close out this series for this year, I want to remind you to have fun while you are riding.  Former RAGBRAI Director Jim Green always said, “if you aren’t having fun, it isn’t worth doing.”  So, have fun, make new friends, try new experiences, and ride safe!

If you are going to ride RAGBRAI safely, you are going to keep in mind the following safety tips:
1. The RIGHT stuff.
2. The RIGHT gear.
3. The RIGHT communications.
4. The RIGHT riding.
5. The legal RIGHT.
6. The RIGHT frame of mind.
7. The RIGHT abilities
8. The RIGHT attitude
9. The RIGHT attention.
10. The RIGHT condition

Mark Wyatt is the executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, a statewide advocacy organization for bicycling.  Mark is also a League Cycling Instructor (LCI), board member for the Alliance for Bicycling and Walking.  More information about the Iowa Bicycle Coalition can be found at www.iowabicyclecoalition.org.  

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