The Setting

Mid-life is an interesting time. At 42 I find myself still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up and yet incredibly grateful for the amazing family and friends, the life really, that K and I have built together.

The idea to do RAGBRAI actually came from Kent's wife Ling while they were visiting us last summer. Truth be told, this man-cation is only possible because one of our wives suggested it. Thank you, Ling!

The 3 men are all 42 years of age, all grew up in Iowa, and share a similar affinity toward progressive ideals. Over the years we've become interconnected in various ways but from my perspective, Kent Koth is my best friend from high school (Perry, Iowa) and Tom Donlea is my best friend from college (Loras - Dubuque, Iowa). They now conveniently both reside in Seattle, WA and I'm in Des Moines, IA. They are pals living large on the West Coast and I'm holding down the fort herein Iowa. We all are gratefully married to women much smarter and talented, who, conveniently, were willing to allow us baby making rights and we have 7 spectacular children between us as a result.

This will be the first RAGBRAI for Tom and me. Kent did it with his father Gene when he was 13 so we figure this is basically all new for him as well after 29 years.

I don't have a bicycle. Well, to be exact about it, I don't have a RAGBRAI-worthy bicycle. I do have a lovely borrowed mountain bike from my brother-in-law Byron but that Cadillac wouldn't serve me well for 500 miles in one week. I also don't actually ride (unlike Kent and Tom who both commute to work) except around the block with the kids. This was my first hurdle.

Luckily, I have a wonderful uncle from Ames, IA who rode RAGBRAI many years (at least 17) and I figured had a great bike he might not be using this year. I contacted him and hit the jackpot! His 1972 Raleigh International was currently on holiday and could happily be loaned to an ambitious nephew. I really enjoyed my trip to Ames to get the bike and talk with Ray and Bonnie about Ray's exploits on the Raleigh. Of the many stories, the one that struck me was the tales of the early RAGBRAI years. Ray began riding on RAGBRAI II, yes I do mean the 2nd year of RAGBRAI, and I believe he said there were about 150 participants! There have been over 10,000 riders for as long as I can remember so to think of this ride as an "intimate affair" is just hard to ponder.

With my new borrowed ride and 2 great friends on the hook (and permission from their wives), I set off to actually begin training mid-May.