R16 1 Pre #RideOut Preparations

When the route was announced way back in January, I knew this ragby was going to be a doozy. A southern route means heat, hills, humidity, and hostile locals. This would be the hardest ragby challenge I would face. I knew it. 

Which is why, I have no idea why I decided that I should do the #RideOut again. Remember the last time I did that? F.M.D. that was rough. But for some reason I decided it was time to do it again. And by announcing that idea on Instagram, I put the notion in Steven's head. 

And once a notion is in Steven's head, well there's no going back. 

Two and a half weeks before ragbrai I returned from Wisconsin. I had plans to do some bike riding with Pochy the week before ragby, and we were leaving for the #RideOut on Wednesday, July 20th. That didn't leave me much time for all the last minute packing, organizing, and logisticsing that has to happen before the big ride. 

Oh, also I volunteered to dog sit for Goldie. What can I say? You can't keep me out of that beaver pond. Needless to say, I was a busy beaver. 

But that didn't keep me from doing some important pre-ride out packing. 

Much lighter this time. 

It turns out that packing way, way less for the #RideOut is not only lighter but much less time consuming. The challenge with the #RideOut packing is that you have to pack for the #RideOut, you have to pack for #Ragby, and you have to plan for the items that will stay and go in between the two.

Sun safety is everyone's responsibility. 

Necessities. Didn't need wipes, didn't use Kleenex, didn't drink coffee. 

Of course, then, bikes need to be dropped off. Gear needs to be dropped off. Stuff needs to be picked up. It is a lot. It is an especially a lot when you live on the third story of a rickety ass apartment.

Uniform. 

But I managed to get my self outfitting and even managed to get my stomach warmed up with Goldie at the Iowa Tap Room the week before. 

Have you ever had a Hamball? 

Somehow, we managed to get all the beavers in formation, all the gear to where it needs to go, and there weren't any major fuck ups. I think a lot of that has to do with all the responsilbities that our teammates have taken on this year. It really takes a load off my mind knowing I can lean on Pochy and Masinga for some of the unfun pre-ragby stuff. 

Of course, the #RideOut is a stupid idea. If even Too Much isn't on board, you need to be worried.

"It's fun" I said.