RAGBRAI Journal: Register... Register... Register.

So the RAGBRAI route Is Out... now what? The ride is just under 6 months away. I got plenty of time. Right?

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"This will be our second shortest route and sixth flattest ever RAGBRAI, 406 miles and 10,487 feet of climb."

Yes, you have time. Well, if I am looking at the route stats, I am definitely thinking about getting in my hill training. Just getting on the bike and spinning is a good idea.

While you have time, I would recommend you use that time wisely. Right now, Zwift is my friend as I transition to getting back out on the trails. So yes, I do recommend you start your training regimen sooner than later. Every mile in your legs... every mile in the saddle... matters. So start up your training now, even if it is minimal. You will never be sorry when it comes to training.

But first things first... Registration.

You gotta sign up.

While you might have plenty of time to get your training started, you don't necessarily have the same amount of time to wait before you register. Remember, thousands of people register for the RAGBRAI ride each year. This 7-day rolling party is a 'first come, first serve' event, as is pretty much everything RAGBRAI related. That means, there is an implied full occupancy at which point no more registrations will be accepted. There is that implied window of opportunity for you, and it will close... at some point... eventually.

Registering for the RAGBRAI ride

Historically speaking, the night of the route announcement is a mad rush to register online. If you haven't done so already, I recommend you get on the RAGBRAI Registration site and register for the ride... very soon. Your registration is your literal "ticket to ride". Your registration gets you, among a list of other things, a numbered wristband and a matching numbered bikeband. It is your ticket to the 7-day party. And this year, they have updated the site to streamline the registration checkout process.

The updated registration page has streamlined the registration process.

It's all about the band

The wristband is the key to all things RAGBRAI. Yes, as the name suggests, you will be wearing it on your wrist, and wearing it for the entire week. So don't put your wristband on too tight or too loose. The bikeband (yes, it is a separate band!) is my real favorite piece of memorabilia, though. The bikeband is that plastic badge of honor that will perpetually ride proudly on my top tube. It is my rank, it is my history, and it is an immediate conversation starter wherever and whenever I ride my bike. You will see riders during the week who have their entire top tube plastered with bikebands... it is their personal mobile trophy case documenting their many years of effort. I promise you, you will feel respect and reverence for those riders! In reality, the bikeband does truly serve a logistical purpose. It will be your personal claim ticket proving ownership of your bike. It is your lifeline to your bike should you ever find the need to make use of SAG transport (Support and Gear van), or even that completely unceremonious ride in the medical transport (otherwise known as the Ambulance). Trust me, the medical transport bikeband process works. But that will be an article for another day!

But I digress.

Where was I?

Oh yeah... wristbands...

The last thing I will say about wristbands is that it does get you that all important reservation on the RAGBRAI Baggage Transport truck. Unless you are part of a team with an RV or Camper, a Charter Service, or even simply carrying belongings in your bike panniers, you will need a way for your baggage to make its way to each overnight town. Each registered rider is allowed transport of 1 soft/cloth bag (I really like using the REI Roadtripper Large Duffel bag). That bag must be clearly marked with a baggage tag that displays your wristband number. There is a 50lb weight limit for your bag (including any bundled tent), so planning and packing is highly recommended. This weight limit IS enforced, so don't be surprised if you are asked to remove things from your bag that will ultimately be left in the trash!

For more details, see the "Baggage Transport" section on the "What is RAGBRAI?" web page.

All you need to do is drop off your baggage each morning at the Baggage Transport Truck before 8am. Sometimes, it is a scramble just to get your bag re-packed and dropped off. I promise, it is an art form. That alone is probably one of the biggest stress points of each day. But once you drop your baggage, magically, your baggage will be loaded onto the truck and be waiting for you in the next overnight town. Remember, the truck departs at 8am... sharp!

After baggage drop-off, all you have to do is get on your bike and ride. Pretty cool, eh? Well, there is the need for breakfast, but I typically ride a mile or so down the road to where I can buy one of the Breakfast Burrito's from a roadside vendor. Man, I am dreaming of them already! Don't worry, there will be plenty of food opportunities along the route. Hunger will never be a problem.

The main point here is that your registration gets you your "ticket to ride" and that important slot on the Baggage transport. But the reality is that your registration wristband does actually get you quite a bit more. Check out the "Official Rider Benefits" section of the "What is RAGBRAI?" web page for a list of all the benefits. This is a great page. I do recommend you at least skim through it. This page is chock full of general information that all experienced RAGBRAI participants have probably internalized by now, but would simply forget to mention in any casual explanation of the ride. There is just so much that happens, i often forget myself. So don't be shy, give this page a gander.

Remember: Don't wait to register for the ride. You don't want to get shut out.

The journey continues.