So, if have not paid attention, our summer so far has been taken up by planning for RAGBRAI.  It is RAGBRAI 24×7 around here.  I can’t even remember what else there is to talk about besides RAGBRAI.

It’s Friday night, RAGBRAI starts on Sunday, and will be here by Monday morning.  What are we doing?  Right now.  Nothing.  Nada.  Zilch.  Zero.  Most of our respective plans are done.  As far as hospitality goes, we are waiting until last minute to finish the decorations.  We wouldn’t want them to blow away or anything.   For you RAGBRAI riders out there, Jefferson: All the Bells and Whistles, will be having all kinds of bell signs hidden around the main route with local attractions and trivia on them.  If you see those, we did it.

I never thought I’d fit in riding RAGBRAI this year.  Nor would I have any energy to keep up to it after it passes.  But I decided to ride.  Wait, I’m not going to ride, I want to EXPERIENCE it.

You see, in the last two years, we never really took it all in.  We brought most breakfasts foods in our vehicle or RV.  And we would ride, just ride.  If the day was over 55-60 miles, we would stop for lunch.  Pastafari was a favorite, and Mr Pork Chop was required of course.  A few times we picked up goodies like burgers and corn in pass-thru towns.

This year, I’m riding RAGBRAI style.  Too bad I’m taking the good road bike.  I almost want to ride something wacky.
Tuesday morning I will get up, have some 53×11 Coffee (Check the big expo in Mo. Valley) and head to the Jefferson Fairgrounds were our swim team is hosting the Cris Cakes stand of the day.  From there it should be 3 miles to the Little Farm Coffee stand.  We have visted them almost every day of RAGBRAI we have been on.  Then I will search for the Farm Boy Breakfast burritos.

We never had breakfast on the road.  This year, I’m finding it all.  For some reason 300 people would line up for those breakfast burritos every day.  Now I am going to find out why.  Same reasoning for the Cris Cakes.  The coffee hits will be required for sure.

Hopefully, all this will be before or in Grand Junction.  That is the first town out, approx 10 miles away.  From there I plan on taking my full belly South to Rippey, swing by Cooper, and ride the Raccoon River Valley Trail back to Jefferson. Anyone joining me?
Once home, I will sleep for two days.  Talk to you next week!

PS:  The 53×11 Coffee is an obvious plug.  There will be a 53×11 stand at the MO. Valley Expo.  Yes, I happen to ride for them too. 

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