Coach David Ertl has been writing training tips for RAGBRAI since 2009. Scroll down to see his training blogs archived for your use.
2023
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
