July 26 - Mile 115.46 Inevitably riders run into problems on the ride across Iowa. Dave Enzler stops to fix a flat tire outside of Pocahontas, Iowa. These roadside repairs are common and he was on his way in just a few minutes.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Century Ride Ahead
July 26 - Mile 75.5
Team Simpson is ready to take off for the ride from Storm Lake to Algona. For those looking for a little something extra, today is the day for the Karras Loop, which provides the opportunity to ride 100+ miles in one day. Some of the Simpson riders are planning to make the effort to go the extra miles. Special thanks go to Stan and Stephanie Quick, both from the Simpson Class of 1956 (pictured here with me) for being absolutely wonderful overnight hosts to Team Simpson. They have a beautiful home with a large yard overlooking Storm Lake. It was very close to all of the venues and provided an absolutely perfect setting for our overnight in Storm Lake.
Team Simpson is ready to take off for the ride from Storm Lake to Algona. For those looking for a little something extra, today is the day for the Karras Loop, which provides the opportunity to ride 100+ miles in one day. Some of the Simpson riders are planning to make the effort to go the extra miles. Special thanks go to Stan and Stephanie Quick, both from the Simpson Class of 1956 (pictured here with me) for being absolutely wonderful overnight hosts to Team Simpson. They have a beautiful home with a large yard overlooking Storm Lake. It was very close to all of the venues and provided an absolutely perfect setting for our overnight in Storm Lake.
John Byrd
Early Showers
July 25 - 2 a.m.Team Simpson showered early when the sprinkler system on the athletic field at Morningside came on at 2:00 this morning. Those fortunate enough to have rain flies on their tents had protection from the "heavy rain." For those less fortunate, their gear got a little damp, to say the least. But this is RAGBRAI, so everyone takes these little setbacks in stride. We all got up the next morning, got our gear in shape, and were happily on our way on the first leg of this year's ride.
John Byrd
Ready to Start
July 24 - Mile 0.0
Team Simpson arrived on the campus of Morningside College about 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 24. We were met by Gene Ambroson, Alumni Director at Morningside (pictured at left with Kelley Bradder and Bob Lane of Simpson).
Gene provided directions to our camping site, furnished everyone with a map of the area showing locations of all of the shopping and RAGBRAI activities, and even provided the team with three bags of popcorn. Special thanks go out to President John Reynders along with everyone at Morningside who has been so accommodating to this large crowd of RAGBRAI riders.
In short order we were able to get our tents up and most of us made it into the downtown area for the food boths and entertainment. We look forward to getting started tomorrow on what we hope will be a great ride across Iowa.
John Byrd
Friday, July 23, 2010
What does it take to get us to Sioux City?
A charter bus, a van and 2 moving trucks to be exact. Just a little over 24 hours to go and we are just about ready on this end. Looking forward to my first RAGBRAI, seeing old friends and meeting new. Kudos to Bob, Kelley & Chris on the countless hours of organizing this small army! Gatorade, water, first aid kit, directions, maps, countless lists, koozies, tents and chairs. Oh yeah- and the bikes.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Limits on baggage
A few Team Simpson riders have asked if there are any limit on the number of items or bags they can bring. Team Simpson does not have a limit on the number of bags we will transport. We have ample space to accommodate everyone's gear. Exercise reasonability as you are packing, for your own convenience, as bags seem to get heavier after a full day of biking.
We prefer gear to be packed in soft sided duffels or bags, as we use our bags to secure and stabilize our bikes during transportation.
Happy packing, and we will see you on Saturday!
We prefer gear to be packed in soft sided duffels or bags, as we use our bags to secure and stabilize our bikes during transportation.
Happy packing, and we will see you on Saturday!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Welcome to Team Simpson's Blog
Each of you is invited to join President Byrd in blogging about your experience on RAGBRAI by using our Team Simpson blog. We will also be tweeting, so you can follow along @SimpsonRagbrai
While there are just a few days left before the start of RAGBRAI, here are a few last minute considerations...
Daily Routine and Logistics:
Each rider is responsible for packing their tent, bags, chair and gear and delivering them to the gear truck by 9 a.m. every morning. Our gear truck and van will depart for the next overnight town by 9:30 a.m. each morning. Riders who are joining the team along the route need to have their gear loaded by 9 a.m., as well. This will give our drivers time to stock up on supplies, allow drive time to the next overnight town and accommodate riders who leave early. We do not expect the team to ride together as one group due to various skill levels and interests.
Depending on the route for the day, riders may start arriving as early as noon and may continue to arrive throughout the afternoon and early evening.
Those who choose to leave early, consider tenting close to the truck and be conscientious of those who choose to leave later in the morning and may be sleeping. If you leave early, please leave your gear near the truck to be loaded.
There will be snacks and beverages available for you in the morning and when you arrive at our overnight hosts. Each overnight hosts have different accommodations for us. After arriving at our overnight host, check in with our drivers, and they will be able to direct you to the shower and bathroom facilities, and where the appropriate areas are to pitch your tent.
Make sure to pack a camp chair. Team Simpson riders gather and share adventures of the day and Simpson experiences from the past.
We will be traveling with a passenger van that we will use as a shuttle to town when needed. If our overnight hosts are more than walking distance from the official RAGBRAI activities, we will shuttle riders back and forth as needed. We expect bikers to bike in inclement weather and not use the van as a sag vehicle, so be sure to bring rain gear.
If you are from central Iowa, many of your training rides may have been spent dodging rain drops. It may be hard to avoid the rain on RAGBRAI, so be sure to pack a small zip lock bag to protect your electronics (cell phone, camera) on and off the bike.
Lastly, be sure to check over your bike before you leave. How many miles are on your tires? Tires should be replaced on a regular schedule. When is the last time your chain was oiled?
We are excited to begin our adventure together, and add memories to our Simpson experiences.
While there are just a few days left before the start of RAGBRAI, here are a few last minute considerations...
Daily Routine and Logistics:
Each rider is responsible for packing their tent, bags, chair and gear and delivering them to the gear truck by 9 a.m. every morning. Our gear truck and van will depart for the next overnight town by 9:30 a.m. each morning. Riders who are joining the team along the route need to have their gear loaded by 9 a.m., as well. This will give our drivers time to stock up on supplies, allow drive time to the next overnight town and accommodate riders who leave early. We do not expect the team to ride together as one group due to various skill levels and interests.
Depending on the route for the day, riders may start arriving as early as noon and may continue to arrive throughout the afternoon and early evening.
Those who choose to leave early, consider tenting close to the truck and be conscientious of those who choose to leave later in the morning and may be sleeping. If you leave early, please leave your gear near the truck to be loaded.
There will be snacks and beverages available for you in the morning and when you arrive at our overnight hosts. Each overnight hosts have different accommodations for us. After arriving at our overnight host, check in with our drivers, and they will be able to direct you to the shower and bathroom facilities, and where the appropriate areas are to pitch your tent.
Make sure to pack a camp chair. Team Simpson riders gather and share adventures of the day and Simpson experiences from the past.
We will be traveling with a passenger van that we will use as a shuttle to town when needed. If our overnight hosts are more than walking distance from the official RAGBRAI activities, we will shuttle riders back and forth as needed. We expect bikers to bike in inclement weather and not use the van as a sag vehicle, so be sure to bring rain gear.
If you are from central Iowa, many of your training rides may have been spent dodging rain drops. It may be hard to avoid the rain on RAGBRAI, so be sure to pack a small zip lock bag to protect your electronics (cell phone, camera) on and off the bike.
Lastly, be sure to check over your bike before you leave. How many miles are on your tires? Tires should be replaced on a regular schedule. When is the last time your chain was oiled?
We are excited to begin our adventure together, and add memories to our Simpson experiences.
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