RAGBRAI 2025 Plans! Tue 08/27/2024 Working to extend my daily rides. Did 22 yesterday, and was fine. I emailed cyclecoach@hotmail.com.  He (presumably it’s “he”) says I likely won’t need my Camel-Bak, because water stops are frequent. If I don’t use the CB for water, I can use it for toilet paper. Portapotties don’t always have it — and if I have to “do my business” in the corn, well, corn leaves just won’t do! Practice longer and longer distances/times in HARD gears. Or pushing hard into a stiff headwind. The climbs on RAGBRAI can vary from 6-15% gradient! Posted in to NOBC (N.O. Bicycle Club) in FB. Maybe somebody there has some valuable input.  GNO says, some group in N.O. has done RAGBRAI. I could do w/ meeting other riders to practice group riding; and maybe even learn to draft! I might not need to carry food; but a supply of emergency energy bars won’t hurt. Use a charter services, like — Pork Belly, is it? Sun, 03/26/23 Get more comfortable with riding one-handed using my left hand. Learning to ride no-hands wouldn’t hurt, either. What about cash for buying food along the way? How much will I need? They say, allow as much as $50 per day per person! Better get small bills in advance. Make special arrangements at the bank? How can I post blogs from my cell phone? Send pics to my laptop? Sat, 04/08/23 RAGBRAI Training: Over the Hill Gang SHOPPING LIST duffel bag two spare tubes two spare tires leg covers                arm covers lot of sunblock! lots of Chamois Butt’r 2-3 pairs shorts     2-3 jerseys GU-Gels          energy bars sleeping bag  chargeable charger inflatable mattress       pump? pillow          cooling cloth Nuun w/ caffeine Fiber Thins             rain jacket folding camp bowl/spork mini broom/dustpan toy shovel for cornfield “go”? stand for road bike? combo lock for charging sta. camp chair     spare cleats PACKING LIST BIKE!!! IDs spare rear derailer hanger 7 pairs shorts         3-4 jerseys 9 pairs socks            bike shoes sneakers                    flip-flops pump                          BIKE!!! soap                             shampoo Rx’s                              notebook pens                              GU-Gels pro bars                         jacket helmet                        helm liner arm warms                 leg warms sun sleeves                  sunblock sunglasses                  reg specs folding cup            T-brush brush & comb off-bike clothes (2 sets) masks     camping bowl/spork ziplock bags             gloves T-brush, T-paste, floss, pics toilet paper!! paper towels (some cut in  squares) anti-bac liquid water bottles; C-back cell and charger cable Garmin and cable Powershot? earplugs  stocking cap SPF lip balm  bandaids bike lock? fan and batteries extra 2032 batteries Extra D batteries baseball cap  spare cleats combo lock   pump tennis ball (for massage) EXPENSE LIST registration getting to and from Iowa food and souvirs (h0w much per day? Allow $50?) showers