11 months ago, my youngest daughter was sitting on the couch watching YouTube’s Kara & Nate, a traveling couple that documents their adventures through regular vlogs. I don’t consider YouTube my main source of entertainment, but for some reason, the episode got my attention. While staring at the screen with intrigue, I slowly lowered myself next to her on the couch. “What is this?,” I asked. Over the next 33 minutes, I was introduced to Ragbrai – Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa.
Simply put, Ragbrai is a week-long bicycle ride that travels from one side of the state to the other (West to East). It takes place every July for the past 50 years! Each day, the mileage ranges from 50-80 miles, spanning multiple towns or cities. There are dedicated pass-through/pit-stop towns with overnight towns that host evening food, entertainment, and accommodations. It’s a big deal in Iowa, and communities compete to be part of the route.
The Ragbrai website describes it as “more than just a bike ride, it is an epic eight-day rolling festival of bicycles, music, food, camaraderie, and community. It is the oldest, largest, and longest multi-day bicycle touring event in the world.”
There was something about Kara & Nate’s vlog entry that peaked my interest– I’m not sure if it was the church festival feel, Midwest hospitality, or pie (beer) that grabbed my attention, but I sent it to my husband and said, “We should do this.”
Fast forward to today, and we are now proud owners of not one, but two tandem bicycles, and days away from departing for a 16-hour road trip to the starting point in Sioux City, IA. Yes, we are bringing the whole family. Yes, we are driving. Yes, we are riding tandems.
Now guys, this is also where I need to tell you we aren’t exactly an “adventure” family. We travel lots with the kids, but mostly to tropical beach locations. The biggest adventure my girls have endured to date is navigating the Guardians of the Galaxy queue at Disney World. But my husband and I’s best vacation was Hawaii where we hiked cliffs, biked volcanos, and stepped outside our comfort zones (one lane road to Hana anyone?)
So this is how it works. Later this week, we will drive 16 hours over 2 days with all of our gear. Our gear includes bicycles, clothes for each day packaged in individual ziplock bags (have to stay dry), tents, and sleeping bags. Oh, did I mention that Ragbrai includes camping! All of this fits into a couple bookbags and 2 large military-style duffels. We are actually joining a charter in Des Moines, IA and they will shuttle us the 3.5 hours to the start line. We chose a charter (Pork Belly Ventures) because while we might be crazy; we want to seek the expert help of other crazies who have done this before!
I think that about sums it up for now, but since this is an adventure that has solicited all sorts of reactions, I thought I’d include a list of common questions and my talking points below!
Do you have any summer plans?
“You’re doing what?” Ragbrai.. see above. And while you may not have heard of it, the event has occurred every year since 1973. (Except for an off-year in 2020.. thanks Covid). In 2022, nearly 20,000 riders registered.
“And you’re taking the kids?” Yup. They think it’s cool we’re doing something they saw on YouTube. After doing some homework, there are lots of families that participate. Their safety and well-being will be our #1 concern. If someone has a mechanical, physical, or mental breakdown (adults included), there is a SAG Wagon (shuttle) that picks up riders along the route. Caveat: while the event is 7-days long, we are only doing the first 3 days. We aren’t that crazy people!
“And you‘re driving?” Trust me, we looked at all options, but it’s kind of difficult and pricey to travel by air with 2 oversized bicycles and camping gear.
“With tandems?” Back to the kid question, we weren’t confident our girls were ready to navigate crowds.
“Won’t it be hot?” Probably. We will have lots of water and cooling towels, and hope to use someone’s pool, pond, lake or slip and slide, which is very common! Bikers also typically depart by 6am to beat the heat!
“Where do you sleep? Oh, in tents.” Yes. With thousands of others in close vicinity. I am a bit concerned about quality sleep.
“Are you training?” Nope. Well, I Peloton lots, including long-rides, but nothing that compares to outdoor riding. I’ve seen lots of posts that training is not necessary – the ride is at conversational pace. We’ll see…
“Are you going to document? You have to document!” Absolutely. You can catch all the fun right here. Stay tuned for briefings. I promise I will capture all the magical family-bonding moments, including us screaming at each other on the side of the road, near a cornfield, somewhere in Iowa. I am a realist after all.
The Mommy Briefing 