RAGBRAI 2017
- Thread starter JP4CY
- Start date
They only get one town in between.
I agree that it's a gorgeous ride, and actually a lot of the miles between 76 and 26 along the Upper Iowa are flat river bottom (with spectacular bluffs on either side).
ca4cy suggested Elon Road, and that's kind of my prediction: 76 through Rossville to the Waterville Road, through Waterville to the Elon Rd, and Elon Road to Lansing/Harper's road. You could go down to Harper's and then up the Great River Road into Lansing, or just follow the Lansing/Harper's road into town from there.
That's true - I was only considering the scenery and not any small towns for stops along the way.
I'd be shocked if that's accurate for Thursday and Friday.
First, it has about 5 miles of gravel between Protivin and Cresco, when there's a paved highway all the way between the two. I could see that being the Thursday route otherwise, which would be a doozie. The amount of beer consumed in Protivin can be legendary.
Then, on Friday, it has about 5 miles of gravel where it connects V58 north of Cresco to 139 south of Kendalville.
Lastly, it has the route going THROUGH Decorah on the Friday of Nordicfest. There's no way in hell that happens. Too much people. Although it would be cool, because the route would literally pass TG and Pulpit Rock.
I hope that's the route for Saturday though, that would be beautiful, and fun as hell.
First of all, yes, a Protivin/RAGBRAI combo would be epic. Few towns can hang with Protivin for good times on a per capita basis.
I'm *almost* positive they ran RAGBRAI through Decorah during Nordic Fest on at least one other occasion, or at least close enough that there were a lot of riders in town. Details however, are foggy for some reason so I wouldn't bet my life on it.
Finally, X26 from the Elon Road to Rossville is a gravel so I can't imagine that route is accurate for the last day. I've got Facebook friends from the Waukon/Waterville area that are saying it's going east on Elon, then south to Harpers Ferry on the Lansing Harpers road, then back north from Harpers to Lansing on the Great River Road. There would be some hellish nice views if accurate, but again, I don't know what their sources are. For maximizing pass through towns on the last day, Hwy 76 past Rossville, then to Waterville and Harpers to end up in Lansing would probably be the best route.
Thinking of registering for a couple days. Have never participated. Didn't realize until talking with a fellow alumni tonight that you could do individual ride days. Thinking maybe starting in Clear Lake and riding two/three days max.
Any tips for an old guy first timer? I am in my 60's but in good shape. Biked mostly 20 mile trail rides last year, around 40-50 rides so it's not like it's been 20 years since I got on a bike or something. Any unattached folks here looking for someone to ride with? Any recommendations on finding folks to ride with? My friends don't road bike and my biking acquaintances are much younger and likely too fast. Guessing I'd be in the 14 -15 mph range for open road biking. Not looking to putter along at 10 mph or kill myself trying to keep up with kids half my age.
Any tips for an old guy first timer? I am in my 60's but in good shape. Biked mostly 20 mile trail rides last year, around 40-50 rides so it's not like it's been 20 years since I got on a bike or something. Any unattached folks here looking for someone to ride with? Any recommendations on finding folks to ride with? My friends don't road bike and my biking acquaintances are much younger and likely too fast. Guessing I'd be in the 14 -15 mph range for open road biking. Not looking to putter along at 10 mph or kill myself trying to keep up with kids half my age.
Boxster, you'll be fine in that area, I haven't looked at the daily elevation maps, but that area shouldn't be too bad. If you can throw a few hills in some of your training rides you'll be better than fine. The only hard thing about pirate riding is getting vehicles shuttled or rides. Your TC connections can probably come through there.
I was living near Saude when RAGBRAI went through Protivin in 1999 or 2000. That day was nuts.
The last time it went through Decorah would have been around 1994 or 1995 I think. It was a big deal since it was the first time the City allowed a public beer garden on city property. But the fire department has had one for Nordic Fest every year since.
Thinking of registering for a couple days. Have never participated. Didn't realize until talking with a fellow alumni tonight that you could do individual ride days. Thinking maybe starting in Clear Lake and riding two/three days max.
Any tips for an old guy first timer? I am in my 60's but in good shape. Biked mostly 20 mile trail rides last year, around 40-50 rides so it's not like it's been 20 years since I got on a bike or something. Any unattached folks here looking for someone to ride with? Any recommendations on finding folks to ride with? My friends don't road bike and my biking acquaintances are much younger and likely too fast. Guessing I'd be in the 14 -15 mph range for open road biking. Not looking to putter along at 10 mph or kill myself trying to keep up with kids half my age.
If you do the ride into clear lake, I will buy you a drink , Gatorade or what have you. Positive I will be working along the route.
I think Decorah has become pretty beer friendly, given what it's done to the town's economy. And at least one city council member is a longtime TG (and PR as well) regular.
I might detour through Saude this year. Just for the hell of it. What's an extra 2 miles?
Of course I say that, and then have decided that if the route out of Cresco heads toward Ridgeway, and doesn't use Highway 9, I'll be taking the "shortcut" that won't be showing up on the RAGBRAI maps.
Yesterday, the New Hampton mayor posted the Thursday route on her official Facebook page, and it was supposed to be "officially" announced today. I wonder if that's going to torque some of the RAGBRAI committee people and hurt any future bids they make for an overnight.
It leaked pretty bad around Cresco and Waukon a week before the overnight announcement, but you didn't see city officials posting on social media about it, either.
It leaked pretty bad around Cresco and Waukon a week before the overnight announcement, but you didn't see city officials posting on social media about it, either.
Thinking of registering for a couple days. Have never participated. Didn't realize until talking with a fellow alumni tonight that you could do individual ride days. Thinking maybe starting in Clear Lake and riding two/three days max.
Any tips for an old guy first timer? I am in my 60's but in good shape. Biked mostly 20 mile trail rides last year, around 40-50 rides so it's not like it's been 20 years since I got on a bike or something. Any unattached folks here looking for someone to ride with? Any recommendations on finding folks to ride with? My friends don't road bike and my biking acquaintances are much younger and likely too fast. Guessing I'd be in the 14 -15 mph range for open road biking. Not looking to putter along at 10 mph or kill myself trying to keep up with kids half my age.
Make sure to eat throughout the day and pound the water. You can also pound the brews but just keep more water going. Starting in Clear Lake is a good idea. The ride coming in to Clear Lake is beautiful so maybe consider doing the last 3-5 miles into CL? As far as finding people, I don't have any suggestions. But 95% of the people on the ride will talk to you and will be happy to pick up an extra rider during the day.
I'm about 85% sure they aren't going through Decorah this year. My guess is they take either Pole Line to W14 or V58 (again) to A46 to get from Cresco to Ridgeway.
I will be using alternate means.
A-46 to Protivin to Spillville to Calmar to Ossian to Postville and then cut up to Waukon maybe? i would think that they are going to try and stay as far away as possible from Decorah and Hwy 9 during Nordic Fest.
Something like that. I was thinking they'd go from Spillville to Festina then to Ossian to avoid 52 as much as possible.
Looks like I was waaaay off on the Cresco to Waukon route. Pretty awesome that it's going by Pulpit Rock and TG.