RAGBRAI XLI - Day 1

Ben signs a waiver before...

trying out the Big Wheel.

Time for some food.

I didn't try the "Oniker" Burger. If they'd had an Oinker Burger, it would have been a different story.

The Air Force Team was barely out of the gate before one of their riders had a blow-out.

The rules for RAGBRAI are simple. Ride up a hill...

Ride down a hill. Repeat.

Some people can't go anywhere without their tunes.

Some people can't go anywhere without their bar.

Mid-morning break in Underwood.

Time for a snack.

Never know who you'll see on RAGBRAI.

Messin' with Sasquatch.

The promise of more food ahead keeps everybody going.

Lunch-time in Minden. Time for some wholesome fare.

More wholesome fare.

How do you park 10,000 bicycles for lunch?

Hook a cable between 2 John Deere tractors. Drive in opposite directions until the cable is really tight. Riders can then hang their bikes up for lunch.

Mid-afternoon snack time in Shelby.

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Entertainment in Shelby. It's not often you see a combo consisting of guitar, trumpet, vocalists, keyboard, harmonica and banjo. Where's the guitar, you ask? Look closely. He's there.

The line for...

Beekman's Homemade Ice Cream.

And how do they make Beekman's Homemade Ice Cream, you ask?

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55 miles down. 351 to go.