So....I signed up for RAGBRI, which is short for the "'s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa."
This is longest, largest, and oldest bicycle tour in the world. Averaging over 450 miles, this tour goes from the western side of Iowa, to the Mississippi River (eastern side of Iowa) in the United States. The ride takes place over 7 days, and has on average 15,000 bicyclists.
This is not an event for the feint at heart, or feint in the heat. This tour takes place pretty much in my back yard, so I am very familiar with the weather. Late July can be brutal, with highs between 85-100°F (29-37°C).
Last year, I did a bikepacking tour in northern Michigan into Wisconsin to Minnesota on home, also in July. However, being further north, the temps were pleasant, if a bit chilly at night. And i could go at my own pace and enjoy the unknown world. I met friendly strangers, experienced new things, and basically was on a self contained adventure.....RAGBRI is a different beast. I am not a partier, but every night is a party. There will be tons of people, and I am an introvert in reality. It's as much a social event as it is a ride of a lifetime (or multiple lifetimes for those that do more than once).
And then...there's the miles...averaging 50+ miles a day is perfectly doable for me, but one day is 100 miles (also known as a century ride). That's a bit intimidating as the longest I've ever gone is 85 miles, in perfect climate conditions for that long ride. Add in the heat and winds of Iowa, and I know I have to train for this. The sauna I feel will help me adapt to extreme heat sooner. I am very thermo adaptive, but I need to get to heat work quicker, so I feel the sauna will definitely help in this.
With training, outside of what I'm doing now in the gym, it will be a steady buildup of cycle miles similar to what I did last year. Unlike last year though, in which I was recovering from bedridden Long Covid, I'm comparatively in top physical strength as my starting point. So who knows how quickly I can build up to that century ride (I'll let you know when I achieve this :wink: ).
As for now...if only it will stop raining out (It's been a cold and rainy week). :sweat_smile:
Comments (1)
Hoo boy, talk about challenging! Sounds fun though, except for the heat. I'd probably out. Exercise and high heat don't combine well for me. 🙃