RAGBRAI 2008 - Mishaps, Technical, and other difficulties

This Ragbrai I will put down as one with the most strange mishaps.
1. My SUV tire got shredded as Meghan was driving in the road and had to go and get Road side assistance
2. I had to take my Trek all carbon Fiber twice to get the gears shifting right. First I could not shift to the small ring and second time, I could not shift to the large ring
3. My spoke protector broke and had to get it removed.
4. My Garmin Colorado 400t fell off the bike twice while I was cruising at 21mph, had to quickly pull over and make sure no one ran it over.... that was dangerous. The second time it fell, I was doing about 24mph and it really hit hard that it broke off the wheel. I got nervous, because I could not get it started. I pop the wheel back in and put new batteries in and now it works. Wow, this little Garmin sure can take a hit. impressive.
5. Forgot my tent that Heidi was borrowing, left it on the ground.
6. Emergency brake line on my SUV is cut off
7. Feathers were ruffled with the Team... for some reason there were pend up hatred, jealousy or envy or just plain silliness that I was totally unaware of. If only there were better communication.
8. My subwoofer for my Mp3 just failed to function. So no jams on the road.

That is about it.

Other Moments of RAGBRAI

Here are some random pictures of Ragbrai 2008

My SUV Packed to the hilt. The configuration in the back was my Idea....

Riders on the rode

More riders

Jon and me, just chilling

Ragbrai Day 7 - Saturday

Day 7

Today is a fast and short day, only 52.7 miles. Brian, Rick and I rode all the way together, barely stopping at each town, mostly to eat, rest for 10 minutes and relax. It was a perfect day, nice and flat with tail wind. I had a good bursts of energy. Going up some hill at times at 21 mph. My top speed on flat was about 34mph. Felt good. We got to the Mississippi around noon. I was already starving. Took pictures, then went looking for my annual Ragbrai shirt and pin and had to get some food in me, before I collapse. While Brian and Rick did their ceremonial dipping of the tires in the river.
Got back to the welcome center and found out there were no showers available so most of the guys had the same thought I had and that was to take wash down in the bathroom. Waited for Terry to come in and then we left. Getting home was tiring but I did it. With my knee and everything, I felt like I had a good ride. Lots of strange and adventurous things happened, but I take it as a learning experience.

Walking around town

Aproaching Leclaire the last town
Danny and The bothers (Brian and Greg)
Brian, Danny and Rick at the River

Danny and Brian having a beer

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Ragbrai Day 6 - Friday

Day 6

Today, Friday is a 64 mile day. I talked to my Ragbrai Friend Julie and her brother David, who I met back in 2000 and we have been getting together ever since each year. They are the first to roller blade across Iowa. Great people. Since they are self sustainers, I promised them that I can hook them up near my campsite with OOS. The ride went well. Today, I rode on my own the whole day, which was a good thing. I had an emotional day, and a slight breakdown, but I will not get into that. But, lets just say, I did a lot of emotional, mentally and spiritual purging. What I have been doing a lot while I am riding is just meditating what I want to do. Cycling can be very therapeutic. You are in constant motion and rhythm and the whole experience just become so primal. You are outdoors all the time and all you have to worry about is Food, water, shelter and peddling. Nothing else matters at this point.
The only point of the trip was from Morley to Mechanicisville, where I was just getting drained from energy and could not get to my Energy spot that I knew about and have an XS and Perfect water.

Me cycling
Miller Lite Judy and Danny
Waiting for the Train to pass by
Danny and Brian Morse
My Ragbrai buddies from 2000, Julie and David

Ragbrai Picture Gallery updates at
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Ragbrai Day 5 - Thursday

Day 5

Today is a 76 mile day but woke up with some drizzle. I always hate packing up my tent wet. There was a chill in the air, so I had to wear my rain jacket. Cloudy all day long, so in a way that was good. I had a good energy constant level of energy all the way through. My knee was also functioning well. Having the knee wrapped up, I know I am going to have a strange tan line. Rode with Brian and Rick must of the day. I did bump into a friend from Lake Tahoe that I train wtih Alain. It was good to see her.
Tonight is steak and Martini night, but since I could not get a hold of Ron for dinner the other night we were going to try to hook up tonight. In the end that did not work, so Danny Garza and I went to an Italian restuaurant. The wait was about an hour long, but that is excepted on RAGBRAI anyway. So, while I was waiting I logged into my laptop in my car and made some updates.
Overall a good day

Danny and Alane

Soggy Thursday

Wet Thursday

Ragbrai Picture Gallery updates at
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The Big hair cut day.

What have I done, only on Ragbrai, what do i do, when 2 hot girls tell you, you would look great and not if you shaved your head and keep the soul and chin patch, which I love to call the love buttons.

Before

No they were not drunk either

Ragbrai Day 4 - Wednesday

Day 4

Today, for about 21 miles I rode with Maree and Stacy from Denver. What wonderful ladies they were, great personalities and in awesome shape. I then headed out ahead to catch up with Danny Garza and see how he is doing and he did not look like he was doing well. His bike just does not fit to well on him. So we stopped to fix his seat better. I asked him to draft me, but he could not do it. So I went up ahead and rode on. It was a tough day for me, I just could not get enough energy going. It was a 76 mile day and the head winds were a bit strong. At one point I regain energy and forged ahead until I could get to the last down.

When I got into camp, went to set up my tent and set up Danny Garza’s tent and took off for a shower. Came back, tried to get a hold of Ron for dinner and could not. So Brian and Rick were going to down town for dinner and I was going to got with them, but decided to go with Maree, Stacy and Drew. We rode into town and found a pizza joint for dinner. We started to talk about a make over for me.

Only on Ragbrai, would 2 beautiful women have me shave my head and yes, that is what happened. Maree said I have an interesting man and I would be hot to do. So we went back to camp, set up a place near my car and started to shave my head. Before I knew it I had an audience watching the action. Picture being taken and had drew video taping. Unbelievable, I still have to get used to the idea of being hairless, but I guess we will see.

Stacy, Danny, Maree

Stacy, Maree

Ragbrai Picture Gallery updates at
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