That's the name of a popular Iowa City restaurant that I haven't frequented, but am constantly tempted solely because it makes me think of Bob Untiedt, everyone's favorite uncle. You see, Uncle Bob signed on for RAGBRAI XVII today -- the third in a row.
Ironically (for you triskaidekaphobiacs), he's the 13th person to register for Team CoeBRAI. I'm registered, obviously, though I wasn't even the first. That honor goes to RAGBRAI veteran but CoeBRAI newcomer Jacquelyn Burmeister, the mother of the new graphic designer in our office, Christina Kroemer. Jacquelyn celebrates a milestone birthday Feb. 20 and invites us all to help celebrate her 55th at the Piano Bar after work.
"I will be strolling down the street from my work to the Piano Bar for an after work birthday Martini...will probably be there for about an hour or so (I'm a slow sipper)...so, if any of you CoeBRAI'rs would like to stop by, I'd love to meet ya's! Hopefully I'll recognize some faces on the trail this spring/summer before RAGBRAI," she said in an e-mail.
So who else has signed on for 2009?
Bob Beer, Coe class of 1983, who is apparently a RAGBRAI veteran who heard good things about our group. He's bringing along his friends Mike Weepie and Glen Wiltgen. I don't know any of them, but I didn't know the Ely boys last year either.
They'll be back in full force. Ringleader Chris Boyd, a 2001 master's in teaching grad, is registered along with his brother, Danny. Also returning from the Ely boys are Mike Estenson and Brett Henecke. If you rode in 2008, you know this is good news.
Brian Farrell is back for a third straight year and continues to work on his wife, a Coe psychology prof. Sara drove in 2007 and biked a couple sweet days in 2008. We're all hoping this is the year she stops testing the water and dives in.
Back after a year's hiatus are Michael Albers and Meg Reid. Mike, a 1980 grad, rode the oldest bike I've ever seen on RAGBRAI in 2007. I understand he's upgraded for 2009. Meg, a 1988 grad, also rode in 2007 and gained the incredible sense of accomplishment that comes with biking Iowa coast-to-coast. She intended to return last year, but had to cancel. I'm thrilled to see her back on the roster for 2009.
So 13 of 36 who have expressed interest are registered. What about the rest of you?
Coe College meets RAGBRAI -- Iowa's greatest college tackles the nation's greatest bike ride.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
RAGBRAI XXXVII day by day
Today’s Register included a bit more information about this year’s ride that I thought I’d share. When they said it’s going to be just as hilly as last year, they weren’t kidding.
At 442.3 miles, this year’s ride is nearly 29 miles shorter than 2008. However, 22,806 feet of climb is just 306 feet more than last year. Proper training will be critical to your enjoyment of the RAGBRAI experience.
Here’s a day-by-day comparison of 2009 vs. 2008:
We’ll begin our journey in Council Bluffs (population: 61,324), which previously hosted RAGBRAI in 1974, 1986, 1994 and 2000. Fast fact: The Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge (opened Sept. 28, 2008) is the longest pedestrian bridge to link two states.
Day 1: Sunday, July 19 – Council Bluffs to Red Oak (population: 6,197)
Distance: 52.6 miles
Climb: 3,684 feet
In 2008, Missouri Valley to Harlan covered 59 miles and 3,797 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: Red Oak is proud of its Victorian homes and turn-of-the-century courthouse. The Wilson Performing Arts Center opens this year. Red Oak has hosted RAGBRAI in 1976, 1986 and 1997.
Day 2: Monday, July 20 – Red Oak to Greenfield (population: 2,129)
Distance: 72.6 miles
Climb: 5,096 feet (the most of any day this year)
In 2008, Harlan to Jefferson covered 83 miles and 5,239 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: Greenfield’s painted Patriot Rock honors those who have served in the military. The town is also home to the Iowa Aviation Museum. Greenfield has hosted RAGBRAI in 1981 and 2000 and was a pass-through town in 1984.
Day 3: Tuesday, July 21 – Greenfield to Indianola (population: 14,156)
Distance: 77.1 miles (the most of any day this year)
Climb: 4,470 feet
In 2008, Jefferson to Ames covered 57 miles and 1,377 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: Thousands come to Indianola each year for the National Balloon Classic. It’s also the hometown of legendary RAGBRAI rider Clarence Pickard and home to Coe’s Iowa Conference rivals Simpson College. Indianola has never hosted RAGBRAI, but was a pass-through town in 1997.
Day 4: Wednesday, July 22 – Indianola to Chariton (population: 4,573)
Distance: 44.4 miles
Climb: 2,182 feet
In 2008, Ames to Tama/Toledo covered 78 miles and 2,869 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: The 9.5-mile Cinder Path is Iowa’s oldest railroad-converted trail, having been established by the county conservation board after the rail line was abandoned in 1972. Chariton hosted RAGBRAI in 1997.
Day 5: Thursday, July 23 – Chariton to Ottumwa (population: 24,998)
Distance: 76.9 miles
Climb: 3,388 feet
In 2008, Tama/Toledo to North Liberty covered 76 miles and 3,123 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: The Bridge View Center offers views of the Des Moines River. The city is the hometown of actor Tom Arnold and the fictional home of Radar O’Reilly of the TV show M*A*S*H. Ottumwa hosted RAGBRAI in 1984 and 2000.
Day 6: Friday, July 24 – Ottumwa to Mount Pleasant (population: 8,751)
Distance: 75.5 miles
Climb: 2,841 feet
In 2008, North Liberty to Tipton covered 65 miles and 3,051 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: Mount Pleasant hosts an Old Threshers Reunion and is the former home of former Iowa governor and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The city hosted RAGBRAI in 1975, 1984, 1992 and 2003 and was a pass-through town in 1979.
Day 7: Saturday, July 25 – Mount Pleasant to Burlington (population: 26,839)
Distance: 43.2 miles
Climb: 1,145 feet
In 2008, Tipton to Le Claire covered 53 miles and 1,835 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: Burlington hosts Steamboat Days and is home to “the crookedest street in the world,” where the Snake Alley Criterium Bike Race is held. Burlington hosted RAGBRAI in 1979, 1984, 1990 and 2000.
At 442.3 miles, this year’s ride is nearly 29 miles shorter than 2008. However, 22,806 feet of climb is just 306 feet more than last year. Proper training will be critical to your enjoyment of the RAGBRAI experience.
Here’s a day-by-day comparison of 2009 vs. 2008:
We’ll begin our journey in Council Bluffs (population: 61,324), which previously hosted RAGBRAI in 1974, 1986, 1994 and 2000. Fast fact: The Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge (opened Sept. 28, 2008) is the longest pedestrian bridge to link two states.
Day 1: Sunday, July 19 – Council Bluffs to Red Oak (population: 6,197)
Distance: 52.6 miles
Climb: 3,684 feet
In 2008, Missouri Valley to Harlan covered 59 miles and 3,797 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: Red Oak is proud of its Victorian homes and turn-of-the-century courthouse. The Wilson Performing Arts Center opens this year. Red Oak has hosted RAGBRAI in 1976, 1986 and 1997.
Day 2: Monday, July 20 – Red Oak to Greenfield (population: 2,129)
Distance: 72.6 miles
Climb: 5,096 feet (the most of any day this year)
In 2008, Harlan to Jefferson covered 83 miles and 5,239 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: Greenfield’s painted Patriot Rock honors those who have served in the military. The town is also home to the Iowa Aviation Museum. Greenfield has hosted RAGBRAI in 1981 and 2000 and was a pass-through town in 1984.
Day 3: Tuesday, July 21 – Greenfield to Indianola (population: 14,156)
Distance: 77.1 miles (the most of any day this year)
Climb: 4,470 feet
In 2008, Jefferson to Ames covered 57 miles and 1,377 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: Thousands come to Indianola each year for the National Balloon Classic. It’s also the hometown of legendary RAGBRAI rider Clarence Pickard and home to Coe’s Iowa Conference rivals Simpson College. Indianola has never hosted RAGBRAI, but was a pass-through town in 1997.
Day 4: Wednesday, July 22 – Indianola to Chariton (population: 4,573)
Distance: 44.4 miles
Climb: 2,182 feet
In 2008, Ames to Tama/Toledo covered 78 miles and 2,869 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: The 9.5-mile Cinder Path is Iowa’s oldest railroad-converted trail, having been established by the county conservation board after the rail line was abandoned in 1972. Chariton hosted RAGBRAI in 1997.
Day 5: Thursday, July 23 – Chariton to Ottumwa (population: 24,998)
Distance: 76.9 miles
Climb: 3,388 feet
In 2008, Tama/Toledo to North Liberty covered 76 miles and 3,123 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: The Bridge View Center offers views of the Des Moines River. The city is the hometown of actor Tom Arnold and the fictional home of Radar O’Reilly of the TV show M*A*S*H. Ottumwa hosted RAGBRAI in 1984 and 2000.
Day 6: Friday, July 24 – Ottumwa to Mount Pleasant (population: 8,751)
Distance: 75.5 miles
Climb: 2,841 feet
In 2008, North Liberty to Tipton covered 65 miles and 3,051 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: Mount Pleasant hosts an Old Threshers Reunion and is the former home of former Iowa governor and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The city hosted RAGBRAI in 1975, 1984, 1992 and 2003 and was a pass-through town in 1979.
Day 7: Saturday, July 25 – Mount Pleasant to Burlington (population: 26,839)
Distance: 43.2 miles
Climb: 1,145 feet
In 2008, Tipton to Le Claire covered 53 miles and 1,835 feet of climb.
Fast Fact: Burlington hosts Steamboat Days and is home to “the crookedest street in the world,” where the Snake Alley Criterium Bike Race is held. Burlington hosted RAGBRAI in 1979, 1984, 1990 and 2000.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
RAGBRAI heading south
As nearly everyone predicted, RAGBRAI is heading south this year and according to organizers, it's going to be just as hilly as it was last year.
The 37th Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, from July 19-25, cuts a 442-mile route through the southern half of the state. Beginning in Council Bluffs on July 18, the ride will stop in Red Oak, Greenfield, Indianola, Chariton, Ottumwa, and Mt. Pleasant before ending in Burlington on July 25.
"You go south and people just assume it's going to be really hilly, but this year will be pretty close to last year," said RAGBRAI director T.J. Juskiewicz. "It's the sixth-shortest route of all time, and it'll be an extremely scenic adventure." The 22,806 total feet of climb ranks as the 10th most in RAGBRAI history.
I'm not too familiar with southern Iowa, although I did live and work in Burlington for a week two decades ago (and paid rent for several months, but that's a story for another time). I'm probably most familiar with Indianola, where my son has played in baseball tournaments and where I've attended several Coe sporting events at Simpson College. As a kid, I went to a high school football game in Ottumwa. As I recall, they had a loose meat sandwich restaurant of regional fame. It's also where we wound up watching a Packer game this season en route home from my nephew's wedding in Columbia. We couldn't find a restaurant with NFL Sunday ticket anywhere in Missouri. Mt. Pleasant has an Amtrak Station for those of you traveling from out of state.
That's my route preview, for the time being. Make this your year to join the official Coe College team on the adventure of a lifetime. Please fill out the information form here and we'll keep you posted as plans develop.
If you've already completed the interest form and are ready to join, you may register online here. After creating your profile (or logging in to your RAGBRAI account for veterans), you should choose to join the group CoeBRAI (#32344) before submitting your entry. Please do not send signed waivers or any payments to RAGBRAI. Instead, those should be sent to me, the group contact.
Also, if you are from one of the overnight towns and would like to host Team CoeBRAI in your community, please let us know.
The 37th Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, from July 19-25, cuts a 442-mile route through the southern half of the state. Beginning in Council Bluffs on July 18, the ride will stop in Red Oak, Greenfield, Indianola, Chariton, Ottumwa, and Mt. Pleasant before ending in Burlington on July 25.
"You go south and people just assume it's going to be really hilly, but this year will be pretty close to last year," said RAGBRAI director T.J. Juskiewicz. "It's the sixth-shortest route of all time, and it'll be an extremely scenic adventure." The 22,806 total feet of climb ranks as the 10th most in RAGBRAI history.
I'm not too familiar with southern Iowa, although I did live and work in Burlington for a week two decades ago (and paid rent for several months, but that's a story for another time). I'm probably most familiar with Indianola, where my son has played in baseball tournaments and where I've attended several Coe sporting events at Simpson College. As a kid, I went to a high school football game in Ottumwa. As I recall, they had a loose meat sandwich restaurant of regional fame. It's also where we wound up watching a Packer game this season en route home from my nephew's wedding in Columbia. We couldn't find a restaurant with NFL Sunday ticket anywhere in Missouri. Mt. Pleasant has an Amtrak Station for those of you traveling from out of state.
That's my route preview, for the time being. Make this your year to join the official Coe College team on the adventure of a lifetime. Please fill out the information form here and we'll keep you posted as plans develop.
If you've already completed the interest form and are ready to join, you may register online here. After creating your profile (or logging in to your RAGBRAI account for veterans), you should choose to join the group CoeBRAI (#32344) before submitting your entry. Please do not send signed waivers or any payments to RAGBRAI. Instead, those should be sent to me, the group contact.
Also, if you are from one of the overnight towns and would like to host Team CoeBRAI in your community, please let us know.
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