On The Rivet: Ragbrai 2008

Good heavens where to start? Ragbrai this year was as amazing an experience as last year. So it didn't fail to deliver. It was really great to reconnect with people I'd met last year. Good to meet new people that joined the weary band. As much as I enjoy my bike riding... Ragbrai is about people. People you meet, you see, you hear. People that raise your spirit, inspire and confirm that we are alive and well.

Along the way I saw so many struggle and succeed, as I struggle, uplifted as I am uplifted and reminded that we are human and magnificent. I can't imagine you can spend your week as I have and be ambivalent. It is such a unique experience it would certainly get a reaction out of anyone I would think.

I'll include in this entry some picture that I am sure will not help you understand what ragbrai is like. I have no idea how to describe it so that anyone will understand it. You really do have to see if and ride it for yourself to understand it. the closest I can say is it's like woodstock-stugis-mardi-gras on bike. Your there to live in a wholly separate society from your regular life.

There really isn't much to ragbrai. Everyday you pack up your tent put on your bike clothes and ride about 70 miles or so through rural Iowa.. so what. How could that possibly be interesting let alone inspiring?

For me the inspiration comes from two sources. One, as I have mentioned in this blog on many occasions I am interested in confronting assumptions. And so the physical challenge of riding 491 miles in 7 days provide many opportunities to challenge the assumptions we hold for ourselves. How strong am I? how weak? stronger than last year? And Two, knowing how physically challenging it is. You see thousands challenging themselves too... amazing!

As for how I feel I did this year. I am very pleased with how much stronger I was this year compared to last. I rode very very well. As an example, On friday I had to pace another rider up to meet with the main group that had left a half an hour or so before. So i soloed the first 20 miles and about 21 mph through rolling hills. Then after meeting up with the main group the peloton moved along at about 25 mph for the next 40 miles the finished the last 5 or 10 miles off at 27-30 mph! I did not get dropped! the guys on the front are obviously on another planet from me as far as fitness. I could have never hung on to that last year, no way. So I am feeling really encouraged about my progress. I rode 4 days with the fast squad and didn't get dropped once.