Team Dunningwut? Made the cut!
OK, I know some of you (joining a large group of people including my wife and most of my congregation) will think this is a crazy thing, but I’m TOTALLY excited. We found out today that Team Dunningwut? was selected in the random lottery for a place at Ragbrai again this year.
If you’ve never heard of Ragbrai, shame on you! 
Actually, that’s probably not a surprise. Ragbrai is a week-long bicycle ride across Iowa. This year it’ll be 471 miles starting in Missouri Valley, IA (on the Missouri River) and finishing up a week later in Le Claire, IA (on the Mississippi River). That’s 6 miles shorter than last year but we’ll be doing 22, 500 feet of climb (compared to last year’s relatively flat 13,600 feet).
Our team this year has doubled. Last year three of us (Jon, Matt & me) made the trek. This year there’ll be six of us (the same three as last year plus Doug, Ethan and Kevin). My goal? not only to I hope to make the whole week without having to walk up a hill (I didn’t have to last year) but I actually hope to ride SLOWER. “Slower?!” you ask… yep. Ragbrai is this strange mixture of traveling family reunion, county fair and a bit of frat party. Every little town has booths set up for the 15,000-or-so people to have fun at. Lots of food… lots of fun… lots of Pie (yes, pie… yummmm). Imagine 15,000 people coming through a little town in your area; every boy-scout group, church group, ladies aid, etc. has something. It’s crazy. I didn’t speed through the days last year, but I also didn’t spend as much time in the little towns as I hope to this year. So, Tim the Tortoise will be even slower.. but hopefully equally as steady as last year.
If you’d like to see more about Ragbrai, check out their website at: http://www.ragbrai.org/. Incidentally, the name is an acronym for the “Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa” and this will be the 36th annual.
You’ll hear more as we get closer (I know, you’re waiting with bated breath….)
Just had to share the joy!
Grace and Peace,
`tim
2 Responses to “Team Dunningwut? Made the cut!”
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May 1st, 2008 at 3:06 am
Well, if you eat enough pie, you’re sure to be slower.
May 1st, 2008 at 11:35 am
You’re telling me! Last year I actually GAINED weight. Can you imagine?! I rode my bike almost 500 miles and GAINED weight. Oh well.
Grace and Peace
`tim