RAGBRAI thoughts are very much in my mind lately. I’m thinking of going for the 2024 event.

Why not the 2023 ride? It would be terrific if I could go this year: after all, RAGBRAI 2023 is the fiftieth anniversary of this ride! But for several reasons, I think it’s wise to wait until next year.

For one thing,  I’m not sure my hand will be able to tolerate it. I had CMC arthroplasty barely three months ago; and my hand hasn’t yet returned completely to normal. Yesterday I wasn’t able to operate my road bike’s left-hand shifter! The occupational therapist has said, take it easy; if it hurts, don’t do it. Can I be sure that my hand will be up to the stress of a week-long ride a few months from now?

For almost ten weeks, all the “riding” I got was very short sessions on a WattBike®. It kept my leg muscles from becoming completely atrophied; but now I’m pretty much starting over from scratch. I have to  re-condition those muscles! That’s a gradual process; it will do more harm than good if I try to build up my daily mileage too quickly. My longest ride since surgery has been about 19.3 miles; and I need to be used to riding at least 60 miles per day if I don’t want to suffer during RAGBRAI.

My concern is not only building up my daily distance; I know I’m not ready at present for hills! I’ve made a bit of a start on hill-training by trying to pedal faster than is comfortable when I’ve got a headwind; but so far, only for very short intervals. I need a lot more than that!

Then there’s the question of transportation between here and Iowa. I’m a non-driver; and if I fly, or take a train, I’ll need a sturdy case for my bicycle! And I’ll need a duffle bag for clothing; a sleeping bag; and if I don’t use a charter service that will set up tents, I will need to borrow or buy a tent!

I’m sure there’s more; but that’s why RAGBRAI thoughts have me saying, hold on — not so fast!