As a fellow 2023 Ragbrai rider, and first timer, I heartily agree with your comments. I trained quite a bit, riding 100-120 miles a week for 8 weeks leading up to the event, so my body was ok all week. The heat was intense and the biggest obstacle. You didn't mention sunblock, but it is very important when you're in the sun all day. I camped the first 3 days; didn't get much sleep the first night, but did ok the next two. I was able to stay with relatives the last four nights, and that was huge. Getting a good shower, a nice visit and meal, and sleeping in AC was a real advantage. A few other tips: make sure your bike is in top shape, go easy on alcoholic drinks, figure out what kind of food works best for you during the ride. I ate fairly light while riding, biggest meal in the evening, and that was good for me. I'm getting ready for Ragbrai 2024 right now.

I live in Colorado and just chuckle when people here say RAGBRAI would be easy because "it's flat." The lower altitude helps, but if you're not used to humidity it can cancel out the advantage. Training is absolutely critical.

What a great video. This was so entertaining. So far I am just a one day cyclist. This may have inspired me to do more. Thank you

Thanks for the tips.

Spot on, you do need some preparation for doing RAGBRAI. This video is a must for first time riders.

That’s an awesome biking center! Dream building! 😁

"Riding across Iowa" should be enough for anyone to take this serious. Great Job

Great Informative Video 🚴‍♂️🎥 I’ve done RAGBRAI 2X it’s all those things.. plus the setup & breakdown of camp.. Bike Riding is just one of the many Challenges.. one more thing I would add.. every 15 miles or so take a break.. getting a earlier start on hot days.. Pedal On 🙂 Billy Bikes

I have completed the Bike Ride across Nebraska (BRAN)twice. It's more of a ride and not the party, drinking, crowd of RAGBRAI. Everything you said about training is 100% true. BRAN is first week of June so usually a lot cooler temperatures but just as much rolling hills all day.

Tks. Good info.😊

It takes a lot of will power to ride 80+ miles. There are many factors that affect the ride: wind direction, temps, rain, elevation, preparation and just a mode. Great information about RAGBRAI. I never participated but may do next, but I'm not sure. I like ride solo bike touring. Great video! 👍

As a lifelong Iowan and rider who has never done RAGBRAI (But has done lots of 60ish mile days) this is GREAT info. I've bartended and partied on RAGBRAI many times and can always spot the out of staters who are new to Iowa. They all have a mantra... We didn't know Iowa had so many hills! WARNING!!!!!!!! RAGBRAI 2024 is all southern Iowa and IIRC the most amount of vertical climb in the rides history!!! PLEASE do hill and leg training. THANX AND GREAT SITE!!!!

Great video. I trained relentlessly for Ragbrai and it paid off. I did a few weeks prior the GAP/C&O in 5 days. Truly a warmup ride.

This is by far the most informative video I've seen on the subject of training for RAGBRAI and for longer distance riding events in general. Thank you Bryan for taking the time to create this helpful tool!

You need to put this video back out when next years route and training guide comes out . This might be the most realistic Ragbrai reality check video . Been following you for a long time . Stay safe .

Very good information! I remember seeing you on a GAP video! I am originally from Somerset county Pennsylvania and only biked the Ohiopyle to Confluence section when I go back home to visit my family but want to ride the whole trail some day

Spot on! I have ridden more difficult multi-day events, and was expecting RAGBRAI to be pretty easy. It was a tough ride, and as you noted, it is the combination of distance, heat, hills, little rest and back-to-back long days that take their toll.

Thanks for this. Some advice from me for what its worth. 1) If you know the weather prediction for the next day is 90 plus degrees make sure you get on the road no later than 5:00 AM to beat the heat. That helped me a lot. Only having to ride a little in the mid day sun is key. 2) Bring ear plugs to sleep. Had three different people snoring around my tent one night. 3) Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate. Luckily for Ragbrai there is no issue finding water but I found that Gatorade and electrolyte supplements really did the trick. I concentrated so much on hydrating that I never cramped during or after riding which I do a lot in other events( I was very surprised). 4) Take in some calories during the ride but don't overdo it. Eating too much will make you very uncomfortable during the ride 5) Get a charter and if possible a tent service. One of the biggest issues for me was finishing a ride in the mid day sun hitting high 90 degree temps then having to find your luggage and then erect your tent in the sun. Not fun after riding all day. Also get a shower service from the charter. 5) Enjoy the experience. You are doing something you will remember the rest of your life. It really is a great experience. I can attest to that. Thanks for the video.

These are just the reasons that make me apprehensive to travel from CT to IA for this wonderful ride. I have food issues, I don't like the idea of sleeping in a hot and humid tent, but the biggest issue is I am a hill wimp! Those rolling hills look intimidating!! I saw so many videos of people tapping out. You are a beast, my friend, and a very entertaining one at that!!

For over 10 weeks of 50+ mile bike rides on each Saturday with some extra rides. We started on rail trails, then graduated to the hills of Southern NH. Okay the foothills of the white mountains.

Fantastic follow up video! Thanks for sharing this.

Great insights. I plan on riding next year!!! I did not find this a negative video, far from it, realistic and caring. Thank you! BTW what is the map behind you?

Super useful tips! I'd love to try Ragbrai, but know I'd crash and burn at my current fitness level. You only reinforced that!

I've done the ride twice, this is the best information about the ride available. I absolutely fell for the pie-beer-concert-mr pork chop marketing.

Great breakdown Bryan.! That's a ride you gotta be prepared for. This summer was brutally hot. I've only been through Iowa in October and February, so it wasn't bad. Your Ragbrai video was great. I'm gonna watch it again this weekend.

Great tips Bryan, so are you getting ready for RAGBRAI 2024??

I do hope you do ride again next year! You should hookup with the group Delaware Blue Hens, they have there own school bus also!

Thanks for the info. Now if someone could do how much they spent each day.

Great overview of what it takes to do the ride. I followed the training plan to get ready and stayed hydrated during the ride and did pretty well. It added to the enjoyment of the ride but I did wonder how I was going to get to the next overnight town the next day a few times. Pretty sure saddle time and back to back long distance rides during training helped.

Bryan, This is an excellent video and should be required viewing for everyone thinking of doing a RAGBRAI. It should be incorporated/linked to by the official RAGBRAI website training webpage. Thanks for creating this video!

Just like burning man it collapsed under it's own weight this year

I giggle every time I see that picture of you with the pig!

16000 feet. 😅 flatland

I just do two hour blocks at HIGH INTENSITY zone 4/5 and back off and ride events in zone 2/3

why do the organizers do this during the summer?

I've done 6 RAGBRAI including the last two. This video is 100% correct. However I have another issue that was not included in the video. I suffered horrible with saddle sores. I have a Brooks B17 seat but still had a hard time. I am thinking about changing seats. Do you have any tips on preventing the dreaded monkey butt?

Excellent points overall. What nobody wants to hear is how disorganized RAGBRAI the organization itself is. I was dumbfounded as to how poorly this event was ran. Who has an EXPO at an EXPO Center but puts it outside in an asphalt parking lot on a steamy summer day? What if it a thunderstorm had rolled through? RAGBRAI does, that's who. Who allows areo-bars and well the list is too long, but RAGBRAI is lost on how to run a large event plain and simple. I suspect there were more non-paying riders than those like myself who paid their way. More major crashes per day than I had ever seen in all my years doing large cycling events. I'm talking riders badly hurt and being hauled away in an ambulance, it was unreal. Riders running pacelines in very crowded conditions and having zero common sense causing and being involved in crashes themselves. I love doing pacelines but no way in hell was I about to put myself in that kind of danger at this event. Frankly with all the paying and all the bandit riders it was ten pounds of you know what stuffed into a five-pound sack. Couple that with every level of experience you can think of all mixed together and it's a recipe for trouble. I was mentally worn out from having to ride so defensively mile after mile. The mental part is what I grew tired of, not the physical part as I live in AZ and ride in the heat all the time. Frankly this isn't a ride it's more of a slog and a battle to not get caught up in something crazy. I do give credit to the towns along the way who really try to do their best in a bad situation. Law enforcement and all the endless volunteers are the heroes of this event, not RAGBRAI itself. I found it telling so many riders were starting in the really early hours to try and avoid the overcrowded conditions. I would never tell anyone not to do this event, but I would never do it again. I would say do your due diligence. Sorry to be a downer but I had really looked forward to this event and the reality did not come at all close to the hype. Live and learn.

Thanks Bryan. It's actually easier to ride in triple digits with much lower humidity and plenty of fluids for hydrating and energy. When it's dry, your body can perspire and evaporate with the wind of riding. I found this out in the mid eighties when we had the summer of drought add triple digits every day in the mid West and east. But you need a cool shower every evening to recover and rejuvenate. What you did was a flipping marathon more than it was a fun ride. This has become so popular that it has now become a money making event. This, of course, is good and bad. Good in that it offers needed services that would not otherwise be available. Bad because it pushes the fun factor above all else... as you mentioned. Luring people into dangerous territory they were not prepared for. Gord