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Mike Conklin's Diaries - Part 12 - Wrapping it Up

Now that everyone knows there ARE hills in Iowa (covered in Part VI, by the way), it is time for your friendly scrivener/historian to put RAGBRAI to bed with some final observations and perspective.

Most veterans would agree we got it all this time: Excessive heat and humidity, rain, headwinds, tailwinds, hills, major mechanical breakdowns (truck and bus air conditioning), good housing, no housing, and, sadly, a fatality.

Some of the above forced Jerry and the crew into the finest scrambling ever seen on RAGBRAI, such as the Northwoods’ funeral home predicament

Undoubtedly, veterans also will recall RAGBRAI for two other important reasons.

This was an especially scenic ride, providing more beautiful views than any RAGBRAI in memory. I think everyone was stunned at how green everything was, despite a raging drought in other parts of the Midwest.

A friend told me once that the beauty of the Iowa landscape is subtle. It doesn’t club you over the head like a 15,000-foot snowcapped mountain, or huge ocean waves pounding a beach. It whispers, and eventually you hear it. (Personal to Mary Mikva: Feel free to quote this, too.)

The other great element was the towns. If it wasn’t accordion players in St. Ansgar or a disabled, female C&W singer in Fenton belting out songs that brought tears to many of us, it was Spillville’s Duck Poop Bingo and Fort Atkinson’s free popsicles that should have gotten your attention. There were many more attractions, too.

In short, these towns, which have limited resources, really knocked themselves out for you. If you weren’t entertained in any of them, it’s time for a reality check.

The CUBS?

Here’s a confession: I figured many rookies were going to struggle with the elements and lack of creature comforts, but, overall, this was the strongest group we’ve ever had on RAGBRAI.

By now, you’ve learned it takes time to come down from the ride although I am sure many of you welcome returning to your beds. You’ve also discovered it is impossible to do the week justice when describing it to others back in the office or home.

Ultimately, many of us have learned the best part about RAGBRAI is that it just keeps on giving great experiences, year after year.

Mike Conklin, Author