Spending a week on the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa and packing enough to survive it is a bit like playing Tetris.
On paper RAGBRAI 52 could be a gentle ride across the state at just 406 miles, the second-shortest route in the ride’s history. And with just 10,138 feet of climb, the sixth least, it should be even easier.
But RAGBRAI always throws curveballs at its riders: extreme heat one day, rainy chill another, and for good measure, maybe a tent-battering, gusty thunderstorm.
About the only thing the RAGBRAI hasn’t encountered, weather wise, is snow. You’ve got to pack for almost anything, but — if your gear is being transported on the RAGBRAI trucks — limited to one soft-sided bag weighing no more than 50 pounds.
Here is a RAGBRAI veterans’ packing list.
Camping
Bike
And of course, a bike!
Pack light because less is more. Bike shorts can be washed and reused.
What does a RAGBRAI staffer say?
Everyone has their own system. Andrea Parrott, RAGBRAI’s social media director and “Just Go Bike Podcast” co-host, grew up riding RAGBRAI. She stashes her cash in envelopes marked by the day so she can keep track on “those last couple days when you’re sleep deprived,” and brings a camping pad instead of an air mattress.
“I use a gallon-sized plastic bag with a (bike jersey and shorts) in it covered by the bed sheet as my pillow,” Parrott said.
She added that riders should bring:
What do riders say?
Here are some not-entirely serious suggestions from the RAGBRAI Newbies and RAGBRAI LII Facebook groups:
In 2018, Kathy Murphy, Parrott’s partner on the “Just go Bike Podcast,” made a video showing riders what to pack.
If you have questions about anything RAGBRAI-related feel free to call Phil Joens or email him. Contact information is below.
Philip Joens has ridden parts of 19 RAGBRAIs. He has completed the river-to-river trek eight times. He covers retail and real estate for the Des Moines Register and can be reached at 515-284-8184 or at pjoens@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: New to RAGBRAI and wondering what to bring? Here are packing ideas from veterans
Reporting by Philip Joens, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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