Day 3: Fort Dodge to Eldora

Another easy day on paper was no walk in the park for the eight brave souls who opted for the Karras Loop and a century - cycling lingo for 100 miles.

Me? I shaved. But there's no patch for that.

Amy Schork, Jennifer Wadle, Jim Strickland, Andy Hansen, Teresa and Greg Barnett, Bob Beer and George "The Rock" Ebert all went the extra 27 miles necessary to log 100 for the day.

The rest of us didn't. Still, a third straight 70+-mile day was plenty. We all were rewarded with great hospitality and another fine meal from our Eldora hosts Steve and Lisa Sunkle, parents of 2013 grad Zach.

Tomorrow brings a welcome break with a mere 58 miles to Cedar Falls. It's the shortest ride of the week.

Day 2: Storm Lake to Fort Dodge

Just a quick post before bed. Tomorrow is century day and, um, well, I need to be there to capture the Kodak moment.

Much like today, when George M. Ebert '91 was the only member of our merry band to complete the inaugural RAGBRAI gravel loop. Why anyone would choose to bike on gravel is beyond me, but he got a patch and a sticker for his efforts.

Similarly, tomorrow George and others of his ilk will ride the Karras loop in pursuit of the coveted RAGBRAI century patch. I've been there and done that, but I'm all-too happy to celebrate what really is a remarkable achievement. If biking 100 miles in a day isn't enough, these folks will do so before and after tent camping and without a day off from the saddle. Some of our veterans do this year after year. I call it insanity.

Today started out with light rain beginning at 2 a.m. and lasting much of the morning. Some of us dodged the rain better than others. Host locations pushed mileage totals over 70 and - despite the final climb to our home in Fort Dodge - was one of the flattest rides we'll see this week.

The other comes tomorrow into Eldora.

Coe parents Jeff and Chris Donnelly rolled out the crimson carpet in Fort Dodge. No one went hungry, that's for certain. Thanks so much, Donnelly family for your generous hospitality. 

Day 1: Sioux City to Storm Lake

If this is the worst RAGBRAI 2015 brings -- and it was the longest day by a few miles with the most climb by a long shot -- we've got this.

All 22 riders successfully navigated the 76 miles and 4,000-foot climb from Sioux

City to Storm Lake. We were treated to showers and dinner by Tim and Erin Toomer Smith '99 in their new home west of the lake. We must have left a good enough impression when they also hosted Team CoeBRAI in 2010.

As pleased as I am by the riders and drivers who return year after year, hosting is a special commitment that is especially appreciated. We're fortunate in our 11th year to have been welcomed back by a handful of hosts a couple times. Thanks, Erin and Tim.

As for the ride, I was less impressed by the climbs as the descents. The 40+-mph cruise into Washta was especially fun. That was the meeting town, and we were greeted by first-time support driver Seth Light '14, who has proven worthy to the task. 

That is also where I grabbed my first Tender Tom's turkey sandwich of the year. I top it with mustard and a pile of cramp-fighting dill pickle slices for an energizing lunch. Sorry for not getting a better picture, but RAGBRAI is nothing if not a culinary event.

We've taken precaution against the threat of morning rain, but hope to arrive safely and dry tomorrow in Fort Dodge after biking 69 miles with a mere 1,300 feet of climb. 

Tomorrow is also the inaugural gravel loop, but it remains to be seen if CoeBRAI veterans and gravel-lovers Bob Beer '83 and Jim Strickland are up to the challenge.