Coach David Ertl has been writing training tips for RAGBRAI since 2009. Thanks to Coach Ertl for 15 years of helping us get in shape for RAGBRAI so we can enjoy it to the fullest! Scroll down to see his training blogs archived for your use.
2024
- RAGBRAI Training: Are you training yet for RAGBRAI? Psst: You Might Want to Start
- RAGBRAI Training: The 2024 RAGBRAI Training Plan is Here
- RAGBRAI Training: Head for the Hills
- RAGBRAI Training: Training for Hills
- RAGBRAI Training: Time in the Saddle
- RAGBRAI Training: Awaken the Athlete Within
- RAGBRAI Training: Preparing for the Long Ride
- RAGBRAI Training: Getting Equipped for RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: Back to Basics
- RAGBRAI Training: Advanced Training Tips
- RAGBRAI Training: Some Thoughts on Safety
- RAGBRAI Training: Turning up the Heat on Safety
- RAGBRAI Training: Some final thoughts for RAGBRAI
2023
- RAGBRAI Training: RAGBRAI L is Coming – Be Ready for it With the 2023 RAGBRAI Training Plan
- RAGBRAI Training: JustGoBike Podcast Episode 242: Coach Ertl’s 2023 Training Plan for a Successful RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: RAGBRAI L – 500 Miles – Yes you can do it!
- RAGBRAI Training: What’s the Best Bike for RAGBRAI?
- RAGBRAI Training: Do you have gears on your bike? Learn to use them!
- RAGBRAI Training: Over the Hill Gang
- RAGBRAI Training: Endurance is King for RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: Never Fear, RAGBRAI is Not Near (Yet)
- RAGBRAI Training: Eat Before You’re Hungry, Drink Before You’re Dry
- RAGBRAI Training: Q&A Time for RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: Don’t underestimate your ability to complete RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: Wrapping up your preparation for RAGBRAI
2022
- RAGBRAI Training: Let’s Get Ready to Ride in 2022!
- RAGBRAI Training: Some Common Questions from RAGBRAI Newbies
- RAGBRAI Training: Slow and Steady Wins the (non)Race
- RAGBRAI Training: 2022 RAGBRAI XLIX Route Analysis
- RAGBRAI Training: 2022 RAGBRAI Optional Gravel Day Tips
- RAGBRAI Training: May the Wind Be Always At Your Back
- RAGBRAI Training: The Most Important Thing to Know About Preparing for RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: The Heat is On!
- RAGBRAI Training: Coming Down to the Wire for RAGBRAI Preparation
- RAGBRAI Training: RAGBRAI XLIX is a Wrap, but Riding Season Isn’t
2021
- RAGBRAI Training: It’s Time to Get Those Wheels Turning for 2021
- RAGBRAI Training: General Training Information Regarding RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: There’s Something Unique About RAGBRAI (and how to get ready for it)
- RAGBRAI Training: What to Expect on Your First Day of RAGBRAI XLVIII
- RAGBRAI Training: Gravel Goodness
- RAGBRAI Training: Did Someone Say Century Loop?
- RAGBRAI Training: Yes, you really should train for RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: We are coming down to the wire – time to get serious about training for RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: There ain’t no mountain high enough on RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: The bottom line: don’t be a pain in the rear
- RAGBRAI Training: It’s not (only) about the bike
2020
- RAGBRAI Training: It Is Not Too Early to Start Training for RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: Your Complete Training Guide for This Year’s RAGBRAI
2019
- RAGBRAI Training: The RAGBRAI XLVII Route had been announced. It’s not too soon to start training!
- RAGBRAI Training: It’s Time to Kick off this RAGBRAI Training Party!
- RAGBRAI Training: Time to Hit the Road
- RAGBRAI Training: Quantity and Quality of Cycling Training: Go Farther and Get Faster
- RAGBRAI Training: Tips for a Comfortable RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: How to Recover Day to Day on RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: Baby It’s Hot Outside!
- RAGBRAI Training: Worried About Going the Distance?
- RAGBRAI Training: Extend Your RAGBRAI Fitness
2018
- RAGBRAI Training: It’s Time to Kick Off this Training Party!
- RAGBRAI Training: Does Indoor Training Count Towards Mileage Goals?
- RAGBRAI Training: Is Iowa Hilly? Hill Yes!
- RAGBRAI Training: Dealing with Iowa Heat: DO Sweat It!
- RAGBRAI Training: Ready or Not, RAGBRAI is Almost Here! Are you Ready?
- RAGBRAI Training: Final Tips for a Fantastic RAGBRAI
2017
- RAGBRAI Training: RAGBRAI is Coming, Let’s Get Ready!
- Top 10 Training Tips for RAGBRAI: #1 Riding Safely
- Top 10 Tips for RAGBRAI: #2 Long Live Long Rides
- Top 10 Training Tips for RAGBRAI – #3: Training Endurance is Important, but…
- Top 10 Training Tips for RAGBRAI #4: Fueling for Cycling
- Top 10 Training Tips for RAGBRAI #5: Drink Before You Are Dry, or Sweat Happens
- Top 10 Training Tips #6: Is Your Bike in Shape?
- Top 10 Training Tips for RAGBRAI #7 – Iowa isn’t Colorado, But There are Still 13,000 Feet of Climbing on RAGBRAI. Get Your Climbing Legs On!
- Top 10 Training Tips for RAGBRAI #8 – Get Ready for the Hot, Humid Days of RAGBRAI
- Top 10 Training Tips for RAGBRAI #9 – Thar She Blows, Ride Like the Wind
- RAGBRAI May Be a Memory But the Cycling Season Rolls On
2016
- David Ertl Returns as RAGBRAI Training Coach!
- RAGBRAI Training: 2016 RAGBRAI Annual Training Plan
- RAGBRAI Training: How Much Riding Should I Do to Prepare for RAGBRAI?
- RAGBRAI Training: 5 Rules of Training
- RAGBRAI Training: Rule #1: Train Consistently
- RAGBRAI Training: Rule #2 : Ride Far
- RAGBRAI Training: Rule #3: Ride Fast
- RAGBRAI Training: Rule #4: Resting is Training Too
- RAGBRAI Training: Rule #5: Cycling is a Great Exercise, But Not Perfect
- RAGBRAI Training: Healthy Eating on RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: Now that RAGBRAI is Over for Another Year, What Should You Do?
2015
- RAGBRAI Training: Gear Up Now for Another Fun and Successful RAGBRAI in 2015!
- RAGBRAI Training: Get Out (or Stay In) and Ride!
- RAGBRAI Training: 2015 RAGBRAI Training Plan
- RAGBRAI Training: Focus on Duration and Frequency of Riding
- RAGBRAI Training: The 4H’s of RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: The 4 H’s of RAGBRAI – Headwinds
- RAGBRAI Training: The 4 H’s of RAGBRAI – Hills
- RAGBRAI Training: The 4 H’s of RAGBRAI – Heat and Humidity
- RAGBRAI Training: Some Final Thoughts Prior to RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: Reflections on RAGBRAI from a Training Perspective
2014
- RAGBRAI Training: Gear Up for Another RAGBRAI Season!
- RAGBRAI Training: How to Prepare for this Year’s RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: How to Start Preparing for RAGBRAI While Waiting for Spring to Arrive
- RAGBRAI Training: Training Plan for RAGBRAI 2014 and How to Use it
- RAGBRAI Training: The Secret to Training for RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: Tips for Eating and Drinking on a Training Ride
- RAGBRAI Training: How to Ride Faster
- RAGBRAI Training: Have I Done Enough Training to Do RAGBRAI?
- RAGBRAI Training: Let’s Get to the Bottom of the Issue
- RAGBRAI Training: Tips for a Successful RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: Final Words of Advice for a Successful and Fun RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: Don’t put your bike away now!
2013
- RAGBRAI Training: Coach Ertl Returns!
- RAGBRAI Training: Let’s Get Started!
- RAGBRAI Training: Yes Punxsutawney Phil was Wrong, But it is Now Time for Training!
- RAGBRAI Training: 2013 Training Plan
- RAGBRAI Training: Endurance – More is Better when Preparing for RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: Training Plan in Excel File
- RAGBRAI Training: Riding in the Rain
- RAGBRAI Training: Beating the Heat
- RAGBRAI Training: Let’s Get to the Bottom of the Issue
- RAGBRAI Training: Putting Last Minute Touches on Your RAGBRAI Preparation
- RAGBRAI Training: Last Minute Tips for a Fun and Successful RAGBRAI
2012
- David Ertl Returns as RAGBRAI’s Training Coach
- RAGBRAI Training: The Route is Out, So Let’s Get Ready!
- RAGBRAI Training: Indoor Training and Weight Training Suggestions
- RAGBRAI Training: Basic Preparation Requirements
- RAGBRAI Training: 15 Week Training Plan & Log
- RAGBRAI Training: Getting Ready for Hills
- RAGBRAI Training: Proper Hydration
- RAGBRAI Training: Beat the Heat
- RAGBRAI Training: Riding and Reading
- RAGBRAI Training: Consecutive Days of Riding
- RAGBRAI Training: RAGBRAI is Not a Race
2011
- RAGBRAI Training: Welcome 2011 RAGBRAI riders!
- RAGBRAI Training: What’s the Difficulty of this Year’s Route and How Should You Prepare?
- RAGBRAI Training: Think Iowa’s Flat? Think Again.
- RAGBRAI Training: Time for Base Training
- RAGBRAI Training: 15 Week Training Plan and Log
- RAGBRAI Training: Advice for “Mature” Riders
- RAGBRAI Training: Handling the UPS and DOWNS
- RAGBRAI Training: Power to the Pedals
- RAGBRAI Training: Go for a Spin
- RAGBRAI Training: Preparing Yourself and Your Bike for RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI Training: How to Enjoy Your RAGBRAI Experience
- A Big Thanks to Our Training Coach, David Ertl!
2010
- RAGBRAI Training: Indoor Training May Be Your Best Option
- RAGBRAI Training: Registered for RAGBRAI? Better Start Getting Ready Now!
- RAGBRAI Training: Short and Flat RAGBRAI Ahead!
- RAGBRAI Training: Spin Yourself Into Shape
- RAGBRAI Training: Cold Weather Riding
- RAGBRAI Training: Get Out and Ride and Ride Some More
- RAGBRAI Training: 2010 Mileage Guide
- RAGBRAI Training: Out for a Spin
- RAGBRAI Training: There are Lots of Ways to Train, But Plain Old Riding is the Best Way!
- RAGBRAI Training: Don’t Be a Pain in the Rear
- RAGBRAI Training: One Big Ole Hill
- RAGBRAI Training: Riding in the Rain
- RAGBRAI Training: Preparing for RAGBRAI and Last Minute Tips
- Don’t hang up that bike just yet!
2009
- Time to Start Getting Ready for RAGBRAI XXXVII
- Planning your training mileage for RAGBRAI
- Frequently asked RAGBRAI training questions
- Training for RAGBRAI: Iowa isn’t really flat
- Tips for Safe Training and Riding for RAGBRAI
- Train in the Rain
- You Still Have Time to Get in Shape for RAGBRAI
- Ride indoors in the summer? Are you crazy?
- Cycling Hydration
- Safety Tips for Riders
- Visualize RAGBRAI
- Nutrition During RAGBRAI
- Final Countdown to RAGBRAI
- RAGBRAI is over, now what?
- Keep Those Wheels Rolling!
Training for RAGBRAI
RAGBRAI safety
