Just finished my second RAGBRAI and I’m waiting desperately for my photos (one half hour left!) I plan on posting them soon and would like to know if there were any dopers on the ride last week.
No deep discussion, really. Just would like to share pix and stories and maybe a chance to meet up next time.
Have fun with your tan lines.
SueFriendly
White hat, red recumbent (did you see me?)
I was not there myself, but a friend was. Said he had a good time. Lots of sights to see. I think he meant female riders. Maybe he’s in your pictures.
GaryM
To give this thread more of a GQ flavour before manhattan shoves it off to MPSIMS, I’ll answer the question that’s burning on many posters’ lips right now: What’s RAGBRAI?
Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI)
You wore a white hat all the way across Iowa?
AKA Really Aggravating Gradual Butt Rash Across Iowa
(Except for cuties on recumbents–no saddle sores for me)
Feel free to move thread-- it is rather mundane.
Sue
Off to MPSIMS.
OK, so where did you get your recumbent bicycle? How much did it cost? What advice would you give someone (say, like me) who has thought about buying a recumbent bicycle?
I hate to do this because I sound like a bike salesman (I do medical research if that helps my credibility.)
I LOVE my recumbent!
I own a red Rans Rocket (what a name!) Rans makes all sorts of models of recumbents ranging in price from 700$ to 5000$.
The rocket is 995$ and I talked to a dozen people or so on the RAGBRAI that had the exact same bent and EVERY one of them loved it. The only thing it needs is a chain guard…
Recumbents are great because most are fully ajustable, your body is fully supported and they come in so many varieties, I’m sure there’s one for everyone.
Bicycle purists don’t like them because they’re snooty and resistant to change and think recumbents are for old people. (i’m 23) They apparently like sore knees, a bad back and dumb tan lines. Fine, but I like my knees.
If you are serious about recumbents you can shell out 600$ for a BikeE (don’t, you’ll outgrow it in 6 months.) I thought I really liked the Vision, but all the ones I saw last week were a shaky ride, and lots of complaints of knee pain since your pedals are out well above your hips. (and they’re about 1500$).
Test drive them. A good bike takes only a few minutes to learn to ride. Ask about over versus under the seat steering. (I prefer over the seat, but that’s just me.)
I like the rocket–I can’t imagine someone who wouldn’t. 100 miles and your butt doesn’t hurt. Worth the money.
Check out http://www.rans.com/bikes.htm
Have fun and let me know your plans, Arnold!
Sue
Well, I’m not “just back” from Iowa… I live here.
I’m glad to hear you had a good time, Sue. It still amazes me that people will take a week off of work to ride a bike across Iowa. How far did you come to ride?
I almost drove up to join in the festivities for the overnight stop in Ankeny, but I decided against it. Had I known there would be a fellow Doper there, I would’ve gone for sure!
Well I looked at the pictures on the website. Those bikes definitely have an unususal look! With the recumbents I’ve seen so far, I had the impression that the rider was closer to the ground.
I’m surprised to see that they don’t have any dealers in Southern California, there are a lot of bike riders in my part of the world. I will have to investigate further, when I’ve recovered from the financial blow of my upcoming wedding.
You missed a beautiful storm in Ankeny, Boli. The thunder and lightning was exciting, but luckily it was all over by 7 am. We listened to some good bands and I stuffed myself with corn dogs (no, I’m not a health nut.)
I originally put this thread in a more general forum so I could see if there were any dopers. Hope you plan to join us next year (it’s not that hard.)
I’ll be posting pics tomorrow!
Sue
Sue you were only about 6 miles from my house. You should have stopped for a beer.
My wife said that she waited for at least 5000 riders before the troopers would let her drive across the road near Yarmouth on your last day. I think she exagerates slightly.