In Which My Wife Has an Interesting Idea

Lindale Trail early in the late afternoon ride.

Made this image on evening on bike ride, dandelion fluff--aren't you supposed to get your dreams if you blow all of these off? I wish for us to get ahead of the COVID-19 and be able to ride together again as soon as possible.

It can’t be called RAGBRAI, because that was postponed until 2021. But in 2020, RAGBRAI was to be just over 420 miles and 12,000 feet of climb. I’ll miss the long ride this summer.

Or, will I ….

We were out with a grandson today, heading to the Cedar River Trail in Hiawatha for a walk. We parked at the trailhead and walked south, past a wooded area and crossed the railroad tracks. There was a grassy field there, filled with dandelion puffs. The young grandson had been fading, but when he saw the white fluffs, he ran with joy into the field, taking his grandmother with him. We collected the puffballs (and later released some in the backyard, because grass doesn’t grow all that well there anyway, so dandelions might as well).

Anyway, on the drive, during that odd mixed conversation when adults are speaking with each other and with a 4-year-old boy, my wife had what I think is a pretty good idea.

“I think this summer, you should spend one week doing long bike rides every day,” she said. A sort of stay-at-home RAGBRAI, a staycation on a bicycle. I could aim to get as close to 420 miles as possible, which would mean averaging 60 miles a day for 7 days.

She also thought I should sleep out in a tent in the backyard. I think that may be stretching the RAGBRAI analogy a bit too far—but I like her basic plan. It gives me a reason to train, and a goal. I can attempt it the final week of July, RAGBRAI week, or, depending on the weather or personal schedule, some week in that approximate time frame. During that week, I’d get up early, ride until mid afternoon and see how close to the goal I can come.

It would be riding streets and trails in and near Cedar Rapids, and I’m not going out of may for 12,000 feet of climb. RAGBRAI has more climbing than those who are not from Iowa might expect—paved county roads tend to roll up and down hills in a way that bicycle trails don’t.

Got masks? Mine arrived in the mail today. Still wore the bandana today--these have to be washed before use, but I think they will be much nicer than the bandana.

It would not be a complete RAGBRAI. There would be no crowds nor nightly concerts nor new small towns to explore—but the wife included pie and beer in the plan, so the three key elements of RAGBRAI (biking, beer and pie) could be had.

A pandemic RAGBRAI. Social Distance Bike Club, what do you think? Can it be a national and international movement? Club members can ride RAGBRAI for real if they wish or can in 2021, but we can still do the miles and share about their experiences.

I’m not camping out in the backyard, however. It’s possible to take the analogy too far.

Deer on Krumholtz Trail in Marion. Ran off right after posing for portrait.

Bike rides today added up to less than 15 miles. Not much RAGBRAI training, but that’s going to the norm this week—despite a gorgeous day, I did not have much time for biking. During our daycare duties, my wife and I did take the grandson on one ride, and I did take an hour for a quick ride just before sunset.

Pause before heading home. On Grande Avenue in Marion, about to head to Boyson Trail. Turning on lights.

After the semester, I may be able to squeeze in some longer rides. And maybe I will have a reason to now, too. Virtual RAGBRAI! I like it. Not actual RAGBRAI—so what do I call it? It has nothing to do with the newspaper Iowa used to depend upon, so the R or Register is out. It’s a one-time project, so A for annual is out. Great Bike Ride In The Time of Corona. Welcome to GBRITTOC.

Today's rides. Fat cat (left) and preying mantis about to attack a murder hornet (right).