Cooper and Bailey, great job with this video! I like how you condensed all seven days in 21mins. Very well-produced. You sure made Ragbrai 2023 look fun, even though the heat was brutal.
Thank you! Been loving your videos. Glad you captured the interactions with all the amazing people versus just the ride! Looking forward to the next episodes!
You did a great job on this video!!! Well done. It was great how you were able to get the main theme’s of all days in just 22 minutes! Here is our story. Enjoy! Ode to RAGBRAI ‘L’ I was riding on my old orange bike On a hilly Iowa highway. In an event that’s named the RAGBRAI. It's truly an Iowa heyday. The Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. It’s a big time annual event. Founded by the Des Moines Register. In ‘73 the first riders were sent. This year marked the fiftieth time, For this annual great bike ride. Hey, “It’s one 'L' of a ride!” The punny slogan they did decide I learned of Ragbrai thirty years ago. When in Iowa I did reside. Put it on my list that someday I’ll Complete that great Iowa bike ride. But move to Texas, and three kids to raise Only this year did the stars align. To gather a team and head back north To tackle the famous Ragbrai. Sons Braedon, and Rayne, and Brae’s friend Nick. Met in Sioux City on Iowa’s West. With our support team of Deanna, We started on our RAGBRAI quest. “Virgin” was written upon our legs, Newbies for the world to see. We then dipped our tires in the mighty MO. And headed east for the Mississippi. Day 1 we left for the town of Storm Lake. We would get there after seventy-three. Braedon met up with some old hiking friends. At the beer garden in town Kingsley A swim in the water cooled us from the ride As we camped out by the lake. Didn’t bother with the showers at all A soapy lake bath we did take. Some food, the Spasmatics, then off to bed But the fun was not done yet. More excitement was had late that night When a mouse crawled into my bed! Day 2 we were bound for the town of Carroll But mixed up with our bag situation Amber and Jeremy helped transport our bags Friendly Wisconsin folks from Madison. In Lake View, Bob and Sandy we met Big supporters of all that’s Ragbrai Once they let thirty-eight riders sleep In their house on a very hot night! In Carroll, we’d set no place to camp. So we asked a nice lady we met. Her name was Jean, and she was a jewel, And In her back yard we slept. Day three’s ride was the big century, And married thirty-one for Dee and I. A slice of pie and a kiss in Rippey Then straight back to bike riding, sigh! The Karass loop for our century miles A lot of time on the bike that day. But circling through Cyclone stadium Made the day end in a special way. Day 4 was ‘team day’ ride to Des Moines Only fifty-two miles to bike We had horns glued to our helmets, and Team shirts made us virgins look alike. We were much more rested on this day. Our spirits felt a bit of reward We napped, we showered, and then we ate Then went to see Lynyrd Skynyrd! Day 5 we had dreaded all of the week, With nearly a mile of climb. We knew we had to beat the heat, So we left at the five AM time. The hills, the hills, they mocked us all day, But with exertion we were able to pass. Except for the hill right out of Colfax That one just flat kicked my ass! But as Tama did near, the route flattened out “Can’t leave ninety on the table,” said I. So we hatched a wild and crazy idea Let’s add ten and bag a century ride! Day 6 was sure to be a better day, Less climb and less miles were the line But holy cow, when the sun came out, We sweltered, Fahrenheit ninety-nine! A hotel stay on our last Iowa night, Turned out we were lucky for that. The wind and the rain arrived later on, And knocked many a tents quite flat! Day 7 at last, with just seventy to go, And we’d have Ragbrai in the bag. Just couldn’t get any oomph in the legs, As my energy was in a deep sag. The hills were ok, but the headwind was stiff This ride would be a battle to the end. But us bikers we rallied and battled the wind With drafting and teamwork we win. An ice cream stop, and my legs did return Some sugar to fuel me again. On to Davenport, and we dipped our tires And our Ragbrai came to an end. Two seventies and an eighty ride, Two days of one hundred and one. A sixty and a fifty day, And five hundred miles were done. A beer to celebrate, then we loaded the bikes Lunch and shower at the house of old friends. Then we left and began the long drive home. Wondering when we’d do it again!
❤This was a Fantastic video, Thank you so much for sharing your biking experience of biking across Iowa 😃. I hope you felt welcomed everywhere. Thanks again . A viewer from Ames, Iowa ❤
Liked your video! My son and I did it for 1st time great week of bicycling. Looked like you two rocked it, I was sweating a lot more than either of you😂. Go Badgers? Come on Bailey!
Glad to hear you had a great time! We loved every minute of it despite the crazy heat! We are both Badger alums, so we had to give the Hawkeyes a little grief :)
When that storm rolled thru we were outside through the whole thing I was laughing my butt off while everyone was running and screaming but then again I’m from Florida and have been through several hurricanes
As an Iowan living in Ames, I enjoyed your take on RAGBRAI. Beautiful videography. I'm a big fan of Ryan VD too. Have you met him? Thanks for coming to Iowa! 😊
Thanks Katherine! Ames was my favorite camping destination and the pool was AMAZING! I did get a chance to meet Ryan. Our paths crossed multiple times over the week! Thank you and your community for hosting us!
Great video. I'm from Oak harbor, WA and would love to do this. Curious how the logistics of this worked for you . . .getting there, getting the bikes there and back.
Thank you! It was such a fun trip. We are originally from Wisconsin so we had family able to drop us off and pick us up. Otherwise there are charters that will drive you and your bike from an airport and back. Check out Pork Belly Ventures. They set up your camp and take care of all the logistics. It sells out crazy quick though! Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy to answer any!
Thanks for the look into RAGBRAI. Was great to see Alicia “trumpet girl” Rui at 14:25 in the video. She plays in an amazing band here on the Jersey Shore and is originally from Iowa and rides RAGBRAI every year. We’re both avid cyclists and she always says I have to ride it someday. Here she is with a local band ruclips.net/user/shortscy2OiO47Nzc?si=E8m7IEjI74EzhsSi
It stands for “Registrar’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa”. It started 50 years ago when two journalists bikes across the state for a piece! Great history that you should definitely look into!
@@MTBCoop Thank you for the info. I just found a little bit about it, by way of a RUclips video. I live in Kentucky, Western Kentucky, that is, so that puts me, pretty much just down the road from y'all. I got interested in these videos, I bike, it's my only vehicle and I'm interested in anything that I can get involved in with my bike. My bike(s) are the so-called mountain bike, all-terrain bikes. No road bikes, yet. To me, these are working bikes, grocery getters, and other utilitarian functions. Which means, if I can get to the next Ragbrai, I'll be one of "turtles" in the "race". But Ragbrai is now on my bucket list.
Awesome. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks for the well-filmed, concise, yet comprehensive look at RAGBRAI, and congrats for making it the whole way!
Thanks Raymond! Appreciate the kind words. It was such a great week. I had to document it!
Pure American excellence right here, simple as. 🇺🇸
100%. Such a wholesome experience!
Cooper and Bailey, great job with this video! I like how you condensed all seven days in 21mins. Very well-produced. You sure made Ragbrai 2023 look fun, even though the heat was brutal.
Thanks for the kind words, Grant! It was a fun, yet brutal ride! I enjoyed every minute of it!
Very nice video. I enjoy watching how everyone captures different aspects of Ragbrai. Such a tough fun ride. Enjoyed the video.
Thank you! Been loving your videos. Glad you captured the interactions with all the amazing people versus just the ride! Looking forward to the next episodes!
Great video!
Awesome job on the video. Deserves a million views.
Thanks a million. This is the nicest comment I’ve ever received! Appreciate you!
Loved the video, thanks for showing us what it was like for you. What an accomplishment, so proud of you both!
Thanks Linda! Appreciate you watching it!
Great video, real sense of the excitement and fun. Music choice was good.
Thanks Thomas! It was such a great adventure. Can’t wait until my next one!
Congrats on making it Cooper! And great video!
Thanks Kev! Excited to watch your video! 👀
You did a great job on this video!!! Well done. It was great how you were able to get the main theme’s of all days in just 22 minutes!
Here is our story. Enjoy!
Ode to RAGBRAI ‘L’
I was riding on my old orange bike
On a hilly Iowa highway.
In an event that’s named the RAGBRAI.
It's truly an Iowa heyday.
The Great Bike Ride Across Iowa.
It’s a big time annual event.
Founded by the Des Moines Register.
In ‘73 the first riders were sent.
This year marked the fiftieth time,
For this annual great bike ride.
Hey, “It’s one 'L' of a ride!”
The punny slogan they did decide
I learned of Ragbrai thirty years ago.
When in Iowa I did reside.
Put it on my list that someday I’ll
Complete that great Iowa bike ride.
But move to Texas, and three kids to raise
Only this year did the stars align.
To gather a team and head back north
To tackle the famous Ragbrai.
Sons Braedon, and Rayne, and Brae’s friend Nick.
Met in Sioux City on Iowa’s West.
With our support team of Deanna,
We started on our RAGBRAI quest.
“Virgin” was written upon our legs,
Newbies for the world to see.
We then dipped our tires in the mighty MO.
And headed east for the Mississippi.
Day 1 we left for the town of Storm Lake.
We would get there after seventy-three.
Braedon met up with some old hiking friends.
At the beer garden in town Kingsley
A swim in the water cooled us from the ride
As we camped out by the lake.
Didn’t bother with the showers at all
A soapy lake bath we did take.
Some food, the Spasmatics, then off to bed
But the fun was not done yet.
More excitement was had late that night
When a mouse crawled into my bed!
Day 2 we were bound for the town of Carroll
But mixed up with our bag situation
Amber and Jeremy helped transport our bags
Friendly Wisconsin folks from Madison.
In Lake View, Bob and Sandy we met
Big supporters of all that’s Ragbrai
Once they let thirty-eight riders sleep
In their house on a very hot night!
In Carroll, we’d set no place to camp.
So we asked a nice lady we met.
Her name was Jean, and she was a jewel,
And In her back yard we slept.
Day three’s ride was the big century,
And married thirty-one for Dee and I.
A slice of pie and a kiss in Rippey
Then straight back to bike riding, sigh!
The Karass loop for our century miles
A lot of time on the bike that day.
But circling through Cyclone stadium
Made the day end in a special way.
Day 4 was ‘team day’ ride to Des Moines
Only fifty-two miles to bike
We had horns glued to our helmets, and
Team shirts made us virgins look alike.
We were much more rested on this day.
Our spirits felt a bit of reward
We napped, we showered, and then we ate
Then went to see Lynyrd Skynyrd!
Day 5 we had dreaded all of the week,
With nearly a mile of climb.
We knew we had to beat the heat,
So we left at the five AM time.
The hills, the hills, they mocked us all day,
But with exertion we were able to pass.
Except for the hill right out of Colfax
That one just flat kicked my ass!
But as Tama did near, the route flattened out
“Can’t leave ninety on the table,” said I.
So we hatched a wild and crazy idea
Let’s add ten and bag a century ride!
Day 6 was sure to be a better day,
Less climb and less miles were the line
But holy cow, when the sun came out,
We sweltered, Fahrenheit ninety-nine!
A hotel stay on our last Iowa night,
Turned out we were lucky for that.
The wind and the rain arrived later on,
And knocked many a tents quite flat!
Day 7 at last, with just seventy to go,
And we’d have Ragbrai in the bag.
Just couldn’t get any oomph in the legs,
As my energy was in a deep sag.
The hills were ok, but the headwind was stiff
This ride would be a battle to the end.
But us bikers we rallied and battled the wind
With drafting and teamwork we win.
An ice cream stop, and my legs did return
Some sugar to fuel me again.
On to Davenport, and we dipped our tires
And our Ragbrai came to an end.
Two seventies and an eighty ride,
Two days of one hundred and one.
A sixty and a fifty day,
And five hundred miles were done.
A beer to celebrate, then we loaded the bikes
Lunch and shower at the house of old friends.
Then we left and began the long drive home.
Wondering when we’d do it again!
It looks like a "Woodstock" for bicyclists, but more spread out, rather than holding it in one bunched up place.
That is an awesome parallel! Such a fun event!
@@MTBCoop I just ran across these videos, and now I have Ragbrai on my bucket list.
❤This was a Fantastic video, Thank you so much for sharing your biking experience of biking across Iowa 😃. I hope you felt welcomed everywhere. Thanks again . A viewer from Ames, Iowa ❤
Thank you so much! The state of Iowa is truly a gem. The people are amazing ❤️! We appreciate you opening your town to us!
love the drone shots
Thanks! Means a lot coming from a drone expert!
Fun and informative video! Great Beer Now has talked about doing RAGBRAI, but haven't committed yet. I think 2024 will finally be the year!
You 100% should sign up! Such a great event!
@@MTBCoop I did it! I have signed up for RAGBRAI 2024!
Fantastic recap…hope you enjoyed your first…it won’t be the last 😎
Thank you! Most definitely not our last 😎
I did my first Rag last year - "L." Great vid of that ride... well done! Makes me wanna do it again. Perhaps I will.
tz here- nice job on video, glad you guys did it and we could be there at the finish!!
Thanks for being part of our journey!
Liked your video! My son and I did it for 1st time great week of bicycling. Looked like you two rocked it, I was sweating a lot more than either of you😂. Go Badgers? Come on Bailey!
Glad to hear you had a great time! We loved every minute of it despite the crazy heat! We are both Badger alums, so we had to give the Hawkeyes a little grief :)
This honestly looks horrible, but so badass!! Bailey is very cute in that helmet 😂
She is pretty cute 🥰
Nice Cooper!
Thanks Levi! It was quite the ride!
This was awesome! Definitely on my bucket list
Go for it! Experience of a lifetime!
Good succinct video. Well done.
Thanks Hilary! It was such a great experience
Loved the video. By the way I was the kid on the unicycle.
Awesome! Glad our paths crossed! You accomplished such an awesome feat. Congrats to you and your brother!
When that storm rolled thru we were outside through the whole thing I was laughing my butt off while everyone was running and screaming but then again I’m from Florida and have been through several hurricanes
Des Moines Police Department estimated around 60,000 riders on Wednesday.
0:14 THAT"S MY TENT!
I’m going to guess the red one? 😂
As an Iowan living in Ames, I enjoyed your take on RAGBRAI.
Beautiful videography. I'm a big fan of Ryan VD too. Have you met him? Thanks for coming to Iowa! 😊
Thanks Katherine! Ames was my favorite camping destination and the pool was AMAZING! I did get a chance to meet Ryan. Our paths crossed multiple times over the week! Thank you and your community for hosting us!
Loved the video thank u MrBigChris
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully it gives people a good look at what Ragbrai is all about
Ragbri rides might as well have a upsidedown pineapple for it's logo. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
We are all one big happy group of riders 😂
@@MTBCoop I'm sure you are since it's a traveling orgy. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
amazing video cooper!!!!
Thanks marn ☺️
Great Video!! BTW In the end did you get the total of Mileage Certificate??
Great video. I'm from Oak harbor, WA and would love to do this. Curious how the logistics of this worked for you . . .getting there, getting the bikes there and back.
Thank you! It was such a fun trip. We are originally from Wisconsin so we had family able to drop us off and pick us up. Otherwise there are charters that will drive you and your bike from an airport and back. Check out Pork Belly Ventures. They set up your camp and take care of all the logistics. It sells out crazy quick though! Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy to answer any!
Skipped this year; would have been #22 for me and you really showed what it was mostly like. Easier, I guess when you're young. 🙄
It was a tough year! I’m excited for our next one 😉 21 years is an awesome feat. Congrats!
@@MTBCoop Thanks. Those 21 were spread over 28 years - and some delightful and some pure hell.
About how much did this cost you ? Please and Thank you. Stay safe and God bless
Did they ever find the hidden battery pack in Bailey’s bike?
She did make it up those hills pretty easily 🤨
Thanks for the look into RAGBRAI. Was great to see Alicia “trumpet girl” Rui at 14:25 in the video. She plays in an amazing band here on the Jersey Shore and is originally from Iowa and rides RAGBRAI every year. We’re both avid cyclists and she always says I have to ride it someday. Here she is with a local band
ruclips.net/user/shortscy2OiO47Nzc?si=E8m7IEjI74EzhsSi
How do you get back? Is there a bus or do you need to figure that out?
How are you carrying your camping equipment?
Every morning there is a big semi truck that we load our gear on. They transport all the camping gear to the next overnight town!
Why Iowa in the summer? It's so hot down there!
It was HOT! We had a day where it was 115 heat index. I guess you can call us all crazy? 🤠
Question, where did the name of "Ragbrai" come from?
It stands for “Registrar’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa”. It started 50 years ago when two journalists bikes across the state for a piece! Great history that you should definitely look into!
@@MTBCoop Thank you for the info. I just found a little bit about it, by way of a RUclips video. I live in Kentucky, Western Kentucky, that is, so that puts me, pretty much just down the road from y'all. I got interested in these videos, I bike, it's my only vehicle and I'm interested in anything that I can get involved in with my bike. My bike(s) are the so-called mountain bike, all-terrain bikes. No road bikes, yet. To me, these are working bikes, grocery getters, and other utilitarian functions. Which means, if I can get to the next Ragbrai, I'll be one of "turtles" in the "race". But Ragbrai is now on my bucket list.
What? No pizza, burgers, or Beer? Come on.