Musings on RAGBRAI 2006 - The Chance to See Lance
by Paul SortalOur bike tour is completed; our bodies are toast;
But complain, as we will, there is reason to boast,
And also to savor, to reflect, and be grateful,
For a week of adventure that truly was “great-full”.
Let’s start at the top, this one’s no mystery:
There’s nothing cooler in RAGBRAI’S thirty-four year history!
The Michael Jordan of bicycling, the best ever in this sport;
Lance Armstrong rode on two days, we can truly report.
And most of us actually saw him, this giant of biking,
The chance to view this icon was much to our liking;
After winning seven consecutive at the Tour de France,
He instead rode RAGBRAI with us, did the almighty Lance!
What else can we say, what was memorable about this year?
What is the essence of RAGBRAI, which so many hold dear?
Why do otherwise normal folks take a full week from their lives,
To partake in these masochistic, cross-Iowa, bike drives?
Each individual has his own answers, and many we know –
“Because it’s there” makes sense, as does the opportunity to grow,
The challenge to endure, the desire to test one’s condition,
The trek across Iowa is clean fun … no road to perdition!
Our senior riders might tell you RAGBRAI’s an antidote to aging,
Their physique and performance make that argument engaging;
Imagine that, then consider it’s also a boon to mental health,
For it shows that simple things actually define personal wealth.
One set of rationales which explains coming back every year,
Includes variations on a theme that centers on fear;
Seeing another in an accident or going downhill at breakneck speeds,
Let the psychoanalysts tell us if these could be human needs.
Fear of the road’s condition, or weather, or most unpredictable of all,
Another human’s recklessness could be the cause of our fall;
An odd epiphany, you must grant, because it does seem insane,
To rely on so many others’ capability, to avoid injury and pain.
Of course, there are social motivations, and gustatory, too;
Thousands have volunteered to make RAGBRAI better for you;
For some it’s a party, for some it’s a feast,
Is this annual migration from the west to the east.
Let’s shift focus for a moment on what you’ll recall,
When you look back on this edition and why it stands tall;
Rookies, the veterans will tell you this ranks with the toughest;
First hills, next humidity, made this one of the roughest.
We each had different experiences as we progressed on our ride;
Some were indeed fortunate to have family at their side;
We witnessed lip-synching “nuns”, and the young singing sisses,
While the C.U.B.S. added to their fame by betting on pisses.
Twelve-hour days on the road, bike breakdowns and repair
Whether by pros or kind souls, usually generous, always fair;
The sweet smell of corn, the olfactory offense of the pigs;
If you’re looking for rural America, Iowa is “the bigs”.
Hill climbs that tortured, accomplished at four miles per hour,
Were offset by downhills, also displaying gravity’s power;
The long run-offs were great fun, creating a breeze;
But because they presaged future climbs, they felt like a tease.
Still, I daresay your best memories will be of a kind,
that had people being kind to others, this state’s state of mind;
Would you agree with the conclusion that Iowa shouldn’t start with an “I”?
“U” seems more appropriate, do you understand why?
These people open their homes in a manner quite extraordinary;
They give to and trust strangers, a notion quite contrary
To the urban model of living most of us practice;
It shouldn’t be a surprise that this would attract us.
Yes, our hosts were terrific clear across the state,
Whether modest or mansion, like our last overnight date;
Whether mayor or retired, you had to appreciate,
If you hosted seventy strangers, how would you rate?!
The best realizations about this odyssey have been saved for last;
The privilege to be a C.U.B. is one we must hold fast,
The C.U.B.S., too, are extraordinary, in history and style,
Willing to share our good fortune and go the extra mile.
On a trip of 440 miles, that means quite a lot;
Accommodations aren’t perfect, the weather is hot;
We hail from different places, our backgrounds do vary;
But the C.U.B.S. are indeed bonded by a special esprit.
There’s an intimacy that’s proffered right from the start,
There’s a classiness in action and a goodness of heart
To all we encounter, within our group and beyond;
As if Jerry spreads stardust or waves a magic wand.
A word’s in order about the Mayor, who is one of a kind;
Without whose organizational wizardry, we’d be in a bind;
His infectious enthusiasm, his extremely personable way,
Fostered a sense of good will and personified fun play.
There is a “U” in C.U.B.S., and deservedly so;
We think beyond ourselves, and watch the ripples grow;
Our contributions to Camp Courageous speak for themselves,
Demonstrating the mindset of mensches and the effort of elves.
Or, just ask the rookies about their pleasant surprise
At the friendly warmth of the vets, in no way a guise;
Helping with equipment, offering needed advice;
For the inexperienced in RAGBRAI, this was sure nice!
There are many responsible for the success of this group,
And it’s hard to name all if you’re not in the loop;
Still, Mike Conklin’s epistles were very delightful,
Informative, humorous and very insightful.
The other members of the board also deserve a big thanks,
For all that they do, no matter their ranks;
Steve’s gift boxes seem to please each and every host;
Harvey’s effort with finances is really the most.
One way the C.U.B.S. are very special lies in its crew;
Leon’s group provides great service in all that they do;
There are Maribeth and Bob, who also rub us down,
Tim, Kim, Dan and Jessie enhance that renown.
We near the end of our journey, it’s back to reality;
No more relaxed evenings of C.U.B.S. conviviality;
No more struggling with tents, no more long-distance jaunts;
Instead, we return to more familiar haunts.
We learned a great deal about ourselves on this trip,
Whether we lagged, or we “sagged”, or we let our wheels rip;
We completed a long ride, noteworthy to be sure,
But, hopefully, we also learned lessons which should long endure.
By and large, people are wonderful if we give them the chance,
Whether they live more humbly than we or in a grand manse;
Being open and generous, like our friends in Iowa-y
Will make it a better world at the end of the day.
Written 7/29/2006 - Revised 9/2/2006
