Cash Is King 👑
Cash Is King at RAGBRAI, they say; and it’s amazing how fast you can burn through it. And I wasn’t buying eight-dollar beers!
I ran into several situations (bike-related) where I needed up to eighty dollars in cash; and next time, I’ll bring along a cache of several hundred bucks for such emergencies. Cash Is King isn’t only about paying for food.
At least I did have enough money for food; but I never got around to trying Mr. Porkchop. The big pink bus was always towards the end of a day’s route; and I had always just had something else to eat. Mr. Porkchop wasn’t out on Day Seven; and RAGBRAI Day Seven wasn’t a good one for me.
I’d been plagued by bike issues the entire ride; and today my gears were acting up again. I’d shift into a low gear for climbing; but it sure didn’t feel like I was in low gear! Then my gears would start shifting by themselves!
Several people had helped me with adjusting my gears; but only a mile or so into today’s route, I knew I was in trouble. I decided to SAG, because at the rate things were going, I knew I’d never make it to the halfway town (and the PBV shuttle to Guttenberg) on time.
At the Mississippi 🚲
Riding on the SAG wagon, I was at the Mississippi River by about 10:00 am. The SAG wagon had dropped us at a Casey’s; and I finally got to try breakfast pizza! If cash is king at RAGBRAI, at least some stores let you pay with card.
At the Mississippi, there was ample time for the tire dip (although I didn’t really feel that I had earned it); and to find Pork Belly’s booth.
That meant a ride of several miles. The crew had already laid out the luggage; and what a relief it was to find my bags; pull out my sneakers; and get out of those cycling shoes! Too much walking in cycling shoes had given me a blister a few days earlier; and constantly sweating feet didn’t help it.
Then I had to get things squared away with Bikeflights; and get something for lunch. It was rather tedious waiting around until 3:00 pm for the shuttle to Omaha; but that’s better than frenzied, last-minute rushing around.
So ended RAGBRAI 2025.
The End 🎬
So it’s the end of RAGBRAI 2025; but despite the difficulties, my thoughts are already turning towards RAGBRAI 2026!
I didn’t get to try everything I wanted; but I did hit a number of items on my list: Chris Cakes; Beekman’s Ice Cream; Thelma’s Ice Cream Sandwiches. I was even able to get the Mint Double Chocolate, which I’d always heard sold out first. I had only one piece of pie all week — but that’s OK. Oh, and one time-honored thing for RAGBRAI newbies is to p** in a cornfield. I got that one done, too.
That was a bit of a problem a day or two after a downpour. The ground was very soft; and my cleats got full of mud. Next time, bring along cleat covers, and/or an old toothbrush to clean my shoes.
Headwinds were a problem for everyone this year; and had me wondering who ever determined that winds in Iowa during July are typically out of the West! Maybe next year will be better.
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ABOUT ME
I began this website primarily as a way to present the story of how I accomplished a century ride on an adult tricycle. Other riders of adult trikes might want to know whether it’s possible. It sure is! You can read all about it in My Story.
I live in New Orleans; and retired in January 2023. More time for cycling!
Website designed by Cecile Levert
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DISCLAIMER
I am not a cycling coach; nor a health professional. This site is based on my own experiences, opinions, etc. If you need help, please consult the appropriate professional.
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