It has been a while since I have written a blog post. Do I still know how to write?
My last triathlon was Ironman Arizona in 2016. I have done some events, but nothing
different, nothing big, and nothing unusual.
There is an event I am aware of, and always thought it sounded
like fun. But really was not on my
radar.
Well Tuesday, one of my favorite events to follow kicked
off, that is RAAM the bike race from Oceanside, CA to Annapolis, MD. No, I am not doing RAAM. Quite frankly, I am not nearly good enough as
a cyclist to even come close to solo RAAM.
But, as I watched a RAAM video, then went to YouTube, a video hit my recommended feed on coast-to-coast cycling. Again, not what I am doing, but I watched the video, and in the middle of this video WHAM! There it was the reminder of this event. Seven days of cycling. The route varies every year, but about 450 miles. From the west end of Iowa to the east end and a town on the Mississippi River. Yes, RAGBRAI.
I thought.
I am not feeling competitive these days, but a fun ride, that is still a
challenge, Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
So, good ‘ole YouTube provided lots of videos. Planning, information, how it works. By the third video, I was excited. An excitement I have not had in a while. I WANTED TO DO THIS! Well, the even is always the last full week of
July. We are only a month or so out for
this year, so not this year, but in 2022.
Yes, it is 13 months away, but really, the logistics will take some time
to work out. So, as of right now, I know
sort of kind of where I will be the last week of July in 2022. Sort of kind of because the route changes
every year. But I will be in Iowa. Hopefully with a “Is this heaven, no it’s
Iowa.” Moment or two.
So, what does it entail? Well, entries are limited, so you
sign up, pay, and you just might be in a lottery. Now, this is not a long shot lottery, but
entry is not guaranteed. However, they
allow transfer and sales, and from the looks of it, if I want to get in, I will
get in.
It looks like an absolute BLAST! A rolling party on bicycles. Aid Stations?
Sure, how about parties in every single town you go through? See, RAGBRAI is a HUGE boost to these
towns. Most do not have populations
approaching 10,000, so when 10,000 cyclists come through, it is an opportunity. So have a steak on a stick and some homemade
pie, it will go to the local church, or fund a playground, or something like
that.
Yeah, so I knew this was on like Donkey Kong when for the
first time in I do not know how long, I got super motivated to train
again. Truthfully, I have been trying,
but I have been mailing it in. I got so
excited, for my Thursday ride, I was ready to go by 2:30, I finished my workday
in my kit, and was out the door at 3:01.
I think I will chronicle the process of RAGBRAI here on my
blog. Maybe I will even venture in
making a YouTube video or two? Who
knows? Right now, I know I need to hit the rack. I have got a three-hour ride tomorrow, and I
am psyched up to get out there.
