RAGBRAI

Well, I did it. I rode a total of 497 miles on bike in 7 days. I can't fit everything that happened into this one post so I will do the best I can to provide an overview.

The team I was on, Silver Streak, was awesome. It was a wide variety of people, some partiers, some more laid back and a person could always find a place to fit in. They were very nice and all of them had pointers and words of encouragement.

The ride itself was tough at times and easy at others. The last day was the hilliest and the toughest ride by far. Earlier in the week I had a day when I was completely exhausted and that was also tough. I had only two bike breakdowns. I lost my chain once- which was an easy fix. The other, I popped the side wall of my tire and had to walk a mile back to the food stand and ask around to see if anyone had a patch kit. The nearest repair shop was in the next town- 6 miles away. So these two guys, Gene and his friend, offered me a patch, helped me put it on and put my tire back on. I was then able to ride into the next town and buy new tires. Thanks a billion to these two guys. There was no way I was walking my bike 6 miles in 90+ degree heat. It was hot enough riding it!!

The best overnight town was Humboldt. They gave out free chapstick, candy canes, and biofreeze. Biofreeze became my new best friend. If you have sore muscles or joints- get Biofreeze!!!!!

The best part was that everyone thought I was in my late teens. I had one guy offer me milk since I wasn't old enough to drink alcohol. It was hilarious!!! They couldn't believe it when I told them how old I was!!!!

The best part was riding into the last town and seeing the river. What an accomplishment. I will never forget that.

The questions I am asked:
What do you do for all of those hours on your bike? I talk, but after several days there isn't much left to talk about, so I think. Of course after several more days there isn't too much to think about that is important. By the last day I am naming off gasses/metals and trying to remember their symbol on the periodic table. (I would definitely fail chemistry if I took it right now.)

How much weight did you lose? None. I gained 2 pounds. I was told that a person burns about 50 calories per mile. when a person rides 70 miles they would then burn 3500 calories a day, just by riding. By burning that many calories I would have to eat a large amount of food to just make up that 3500 calories. After taking in calories through food, and then subtracting what is expended, anything less than 1800 calories remaining slows your metabolism. So a person riding this type of ride actually has a slow metabolism and so they hold onto more calories. When they get done riding and go home, they still eat the same but their metabolism is still slowed. It takes a week or two to get a persons metabolism back up.

Would you do it again? I don't know. It was a lot of work and I am proud that I accomplished it. Did I mention it was a lot of work? If I did it again I would definitely have to put in more than 300 training miles. RAGBRAI recommends 600 and I think that is a very good number.

Ride on!!