Did you ever see "Breaking Away"?
That's me in the Cinzano hat, with a smiling Cutter on either side. Ragbrai is strange like that.
Rotterdam to Paris.
Sioux City to Dubuque.
Arguably two of the largest and best known rides in the world.
Both draw an international field of riders.
Both feature multiple stages, and a different course every year.
Both have organized teams, and posh team busses.
One has a spotty jersey, one has somewhat spotty jersey wearing (and kilts, and banana suits, wigs, tattoos, leisure suits, Elvis suits...and Team Muh-ven)
Muh-ven rode Ragbrai from Wednesday through Saturday, gaining both speed and riders as we progressed.
We camped here on Wednesday night, if you look very closely you can see my tent in the background - beside the pickup. Posh digs. At least we were able to mooch a shower.
We rolled in about the same time that every day's tour stage gets done, roughly 5:30. Our soigneur had camp all set up, and the beer on ice. We had a bevvie and
some crackers, then went out to look for supper. The church we picked was running out of food, and we were the
last diners through the door. Since supplies were running low, the kindly pastor gave us the bargain basement price of $3 for big slices of ham, buns, a heap of green beans with bacon, and all the brownies and ice cream we wanted. pretty good for the price.
At RAGBRAI, most teams don't have domestiques to carry water to the leaders. In fact, the leaders may not even want water because they're leading. That means they have already made it to the first bar on the right, unless it is on the left. (an old ragbrai joke)
Eating is a little different.
Here's Bordeaux:
And here's Rockville:
I liked them both, but it was nice to eat at a table where your neighbors were speaking the same language.
Eating is a little different.
Here's Bordeaux:
And here's Rockville:
I liked them both, but it was nice to eat at a table where your neighbors were speaking the same language. more later, there is plenty
Au Bientot!
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