3 days, 22 hours, 47 minutes until RAGBRAI XXXVI!

Give em' hell in Iowa, Nick. You've trained hard so now it's all about enjoying the ride. When I was back in Iowa over the 4th, I took my mountain bike and did some riding. Here's some things I found out which may help you during your week of cycling fun:

1. It's rained a lot in Iowa so bring your mosquito repellant.

2. It's extremely humid and hot and easy to get dehydrated so drink lots and lots and lots of water and gatoraid.

3. The food in Iowa is killer good, especially the pie. Eat as frickin' much as you want cause you're going to be burning up those calories big time. Ah' bet you thought I was going to say, eat in moderation, didn't you?  

4. Cycle defensively. There's going to be a lot of inexperience, out of shape riders so give other riders lots of room when you pass them on the left. Be on the lookout for the "wobblers" cause they'll swerve into you in a heartbeat.

5. Enjoy the journey, man! Take the time to see, hear and smell the beauty of the state. Well, maybe not the smell but 2 out of 3 ain't bad! Iowa ain't Moab but let me tell you, beauty is everywhere.....you just got to look for it.

Best of luck my friend. Make your Tour de Fat teammates and the rest of the locker room proud! I know you will.  

Boner


 

Cycle offensively. Take them out before they get you.

Stay safe and good luck

 Your post made me think of a "Mad Max" Mel Gibson bicycle with knives, blades, grenades and all kinds of armor. Not such a bad idea Snickle, given the level of booze which is going to be consumed by the bikers during the week.

Boner

Alas it's also my philiosophy of driving

The mosquitos and gnats are horrid this year! 

Nick - Have a great ride! 

Oh, ya....another tip - make sure you always wear sunglasses and keep your mouth closed (extra protein, yummy) when riding since the flying June bugs are big and plentiful probably also due to the high amount of rain this year. Monster June bugs aren't a problem out here in the drier climates of Utah and Colorado nor are they typically a problem back in good ol' Iowa as I recall. 

Campy, any other cycling tips for our Tour de Fat teammate for his ride across Iowa?  

Boner 

Sorry but the I keep coming up with more tips for you, Nick. Here's another.....Don't do this or you may end up in an Iowa pokie

I think that about said it all LOL LOL LOL

I am ready . I have been ready for a while now . I am taking tomorrow off to prep , wash the bike , clean the chain and strip off all the commuter
stuff . ( I wont be needing THAT )

   One of the guys going with us is from Iowa . His mother lives in console
bluff. I beleave that's  were the ride is starting. I'll leave my
suburban at his mom's house and she will give us a ride to and come pick us up . If you see the ride on the news look for the guy with the green hair and fu-man chew .( spelling ? ) I let my mustache grow into a fu-man chew ,and let it grow as long as I could in the time I had . I will die it green ; team color's yaknow .
Thanks again for all the support from the locker room . OUT

Best wishes
Nick

Green hair and fu man chu? You be fittin' in with all those other crazies at RAGBRAI, Nick!

A couple more tips if you don't mind:

1. If you don't already use it, get yourself some bag balm or butt butter and use it early and often. Your ass will thank you come day 4 or so. 7 days in the saddle is a long time and you'll definately be "rubbin" and this stuff works like a champ. I never used to use it and would put up with the pain but I'm now a convert for all my long rides. I carry a little medicine bottle full of bag balm on my bike and will "refresh" a couple times a day.

2. Pace yourself and don't get caught up with the rabbits who fly out of the starting line. Never fails that most of the quick starters I will see (pass) later on in the day as they burn up and bonk.

Once again, have a great time.

Boner