RAGBRAI 2003

This was my 17th RAGBRAI. Brent Adams said he was going on RAGBRAI, leaving his wife and daughter, Ava, home. He wanted to ride the tandem. But neither of us had many miles. I had only 150, and you need at least 300. Anyway we rode the tandem on the training/index ride from my house through Stone Park, up Dakota Point road and back. It is 13.2 miles and 890 feet of climb. We made it, but wheezing. So, Brent rode his upright and I rode the R-84. The R-84 is 9 yrs old now, and has been on 7 RAGBRAIs.

The first day, Sunday, was very hot and humid. Many riders got heat exhaustion. Some were vomiting by the side of the road, others just sitting in the sun until the ambulances talked to them to assess their mentation. Then a cold front came through Sunday night, giving cool weather and near record lows by mid week. The wind, however, stayed from the North so that the ride was mostly a headwind. Late Friday and Saturday gave a return to heat, and a switch in the wind to keep the headwind, although Friday did give some tailwinds.

Then there were the Hills. This ride was the 3rd "hilliest" on RAGBRAI. The only level or rolling parts were the last 2 days, and even then some steep ups and downs remained. The century loop, which is usually flat, had some doozy hills. Well, we did it all, and Brent being under 30 yrs old, came on strong by the third day. He used to race when he lived in Sioux City, so I expected he would have no trouble, and thought he would be bored riding a tandem with me.

The ride scene was pretty tame, although I did get in on one wet tee shirt contest. Mr. Green has the loose ends pretty well sewed up now.

Mostly lean, tan, riding machines on this trip. Serious riders on road machines. I didn't see many families or anyone who wasn't exceptionally fit. Yeah, I rode every mile, and every day, including the century loop; but the first couple days weren't pretty.

Here are the pictures and captions. I'll spread them over a few pages for the dial up modem folks. I took my waterproof camera, and scanned the 35 mm pictures.

Dynamic Duo.

The start of RAGBRAI. Notice I am flabbier than in later pictures.

Stay at home.

Susie didn't go this year. She was afraid of the hills...I wouldn't haul her around on the tandem.

City square.

Typical as others to come. I forget where I have been. Maybe you can figure it out.

Loin Clothe Man.

That's what we call him. He has been on many RAGBRAIs. He said over 20. He is covered under there.

Century Loop.

The only flat I saw. The century loop had some doozy hills.

Century Loop.

Eating at a HyVee at the end of the century loop with a fellow cyclist...he was into granola.

John Karras.

He was eating at the HyVee by himself. Lives in CO. now, the retired mode. He had an inclinometer on his handlebars.

City Square.

Many towns in Iowa are built around the court house in the city square.

Clarinda.

They had a nice welcome.

Glen Miller House.

Glen Miller, famous swing band leader, was born in this house in Clarinda.

Mount Ayr.

They had a great food setup downtown.

Postal Station.

The post office did the passports this year, after a one year absence. You get the special cancellation at each town.

Tender Tom.

Great marinated turkey breast sandwiches. A regular on RAGBRAI.

Welcome.

Many towns have elaborate welcomes.

Corn Woman.

Always in the last town before the host. Clothes of corn and other strange things only women understand.

Greg Lemond.

He rode on the ride. Brent spotted him in a park in the last town out, and he graciously consented to a group picture.

Smoothi.

Many are called this. This is the original, and best in my book.

Tour de Farms.

Custom Shirts from Dwight and Merita. The best on RAGBRAI.

Dinner.

I always like to eat supper at the churches. The best balenced meals. Be there early...they run out.

Taj Mahal.

We had room for the old 12 man canvas tent this year. A luxury for 2. Cool, and rain proof. Tweezel named it that.