Is that your final answer?

This is a final reminder that final payments by Team CoeBRAI participants -- typically $200 -- are due this Friday, July 1. Additionally, there are no refunds for cancellations occurring on or after Friday.

Checks payable to Coe College and sent to my attention at Coe College, 1220 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402.

The $400 fee includes the official $150 RAGBRAI entry fee, a Team CoeBRAI jersey and license plate, bus transportation to and from Cedar Rapids and the starting/ending towns, gear transportation, some meals, and snack and non-alcoholic beverages at each overnight stop.

While we understand that life happens, we must insist on a no-refund policy for cancellations after July 1. Our refund schedule is 75% on or before May 1, 50% on or before June 1 and 25% on or before July 1.

Additionally, participants should plan to spend $20-$30 per day on food and beverages, bike repairs, showers, etc.

CoeBRAT 2011: 50 miles of wind, rain and winning!

After topping 90 degrees during the week, temperatures in the region barely made it into the 50s with rain and wind to greet the eight brave souls who made good on their commitment to participate in the second occasional CoeBRAT (bike ride across towns): Flunk Day 50 on Saturday, May 14.

Sponsored by the Coe College Alumni Office and Team CoeBRAI, this 100th anniversary Flunk Day event challenged participants with a half century of biking with recovery breaks at Odie's Bar and Grill in Ely, Joensy's in Solon, Sutliff Cider and Chameleon’s in Mount Vernon. Clark Racquet Center on the Coe campus served as the start/finish line.

While two-thirds of the early registrants opted against riding in the inclement weather, Bob Beer '83, Chris Paasch '06, Josh Stanek '02, Ron Van Hoeck '82 and myself were not to be deterred. Postponement was not an option after Stanek came all the way from Milwaukee for the ride. Joining the alumni were rising Coe seniors Amanda Knutson '12, Mary Kramer '12 and Austin Lloyd '12.

In addition to Coe bike bells, there were enough door prizes for everyone. Beer was the big winner with his pair of kings winning the 2011 Coe biking jersey.

Look for some sort of ride in conjunction with Homecoming in mid-September. Also, CoeBRAT 2012 will likely be pushed back a week to May 19 to avoid conflict with the Iowa Conference Baseball Tournament (which the Kohawks just won!) and to provide a little post-Commencement breathing room.

Bibs available too

By popular demand, we are also offering the Coe biking gear as bib shorts in addition to the standard shorts. Please note that the bibs will cost $75, plus an additional $10 if you'd like to upgrade to the endurance chamois. Please clearly indicate that you are ordering bibs -- as opposed to shorts -- on the order form.

Remember apparel orders are due May 15 (the day after the CoeBRAT 2011: Flunk Day 50) and will be shipped by mid July. Anyone is welcome to buy jerseys -- $60 for short sleeve and sleeveless, $70 for long sleeve – and shorts for $65, plus bibs for $75 (add $10 for endurance chamois). Order forms are available on the right column of this page.