Yes, I'm talking about my summer vacation plans. Since it's hard to beat a good European vacation, I'm not even going to try. Instead, earlier today, I agreed to ride RAGBRAI in late July. Me, and John, our friends Steve (hopefully) and Scott (remotely possible?), and my friend Krista—oh, and Lance Armstrong.
RAGBRAI is the (Des Moines) Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. The ride takes place during the last week of July (think hot—two years ago, the temperature was over 100 degrees on the first day). It starts at some point on the western border of Iowa and ends, seven days and approximately 500 miles later, on the eastern border of the state. That's right, about 70 miles each day—sitting on a tiny saddle. With 10,000 other people. It's one of the nation's best parties. Other states have similar border-to-border rides, but none are as large or as lively as Iowa's ride. And, no other state has Iowa's hospitality—everyone you meet wants to know where you're from and how many RAGBRAIs you have done.
I'll be writing a whole lot more about RAGBRAI in the coming months, especially as I am now officially in training, which has to be worked around spring break (the boys are taking a vacation, leaving their parents at home so we've lined up a week of fine wine and food) and New Orleans (where I'm meeting Krista at the end of April for Jazz Fest).
Did I mention the pie?
[That's my handsome husband, John, in a ride-through town on RAGBRAI 2005. Notice his tanned, smooooooth arms!]
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