This year I was only able to fit in one day of riding on the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). Instead of the last year or two, I rode 100 miles in a single day rather than over two days, from Fort Dodge to Eldora.
My 2015 observations:
* We need more bandwidth! Cell phones worked OK on LTE out in the country, but in the small towns where everybody stopped, there was no data going in or out. You'd think RAGBRAI and its vendors would find a way to end the data gridlock.
* There was a significant delay on the ride due to two bridges being under construction within a couple of miles of each other. This is unacceptable to any veteran of the ride. We know RAGBRAI is supposed to work with the Iowa Department of Transportation to make sure the route doesn't run into this kind of thing.
* It can get a little lonely on the extra 25 mile loop that allowed for this year's optional 100 mile day. I've done that three times now, and it helps to have someone else with you. Unlike the regular route, there are few riders and almost no organized places to stop along the road.
* Still hard to find church-stand fruit pie on the ride. But I did, a fine slice of apple pie. There were several other varieties, but again saw no pineapple pie this year.
* The usual big corporate food vendors were there (Farm Boys, Mr. Pork Chop, Tom Tenders, Beekman's Ice Cream), but the biggest crowd I saw by far was at the new Iowa Craft Beer Tent. Rumor is that it drew the largest crowds all week.
* Drones! Saw drones overhead capturing video of the ride in a few different towns. It would make for a good chamber of commerce presentation.
* Best jersey seen this year goes to Team Good Beer. Nothing special about the name, but they had lederhosen-style jerseys, which were awesome.
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