It might have only been for one day, but my buddy Ryan van Duzer definitely made his mark on RAGBRAI (stands for “The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa” and is a seven-day ride across the state).  If you don’t already know about this cycling celebrity known as Duzer, you’re in for a treat with this one.

Good luck to all those doing RAGBRAI….you’re almost there.

RAGBRAI in a Day (on a Big Wheel)

by Ryan van Duzer

I may have only completed one day at RAGBRAI but it was one of the most incredible days I’ve ever spent on a bike, or big wheel for that matter.  If you like friendly people, homemade pie, running through sprinklers, drinking beer, live music, crazy costumes, camping with thousands of fun people, whooping and hollering, making friends, smiling until your face hurts and visiting the best of small town America, then RAGBRAI is for you.

My buddy Matt, creator of the High Roller adult size Big Wheel asked me months ago to ride his beloved toy in RAGBRAI.  At the time it sounded like a great idea, who doesn’t love power sliding on plastic wheels like a kid?  I’m always up for a great adventure and this seemed like a perfect way to admire the rolling hills of Iowa.

It only took about 6 miles of riding until I quickly realized that Big Wheels aren’t meant for long distance adventures.  Top speed is about 6-7 MPH and the cadence of pedaling is equivalent to a hamster running furiously in its wheel.  You just can’t go fast on a big wheel no matter how hard you try.  I envied all the bicycles whooshing past me with relative ease.  Every third person slowed to take photos, yelling out, “You guys are crazy!”

The best of RAGBRAI isn’t necessarily the riding; it’s the small towns that go out of their way to welcome the thousands of cyclists, about 20,000 in total.  Pedaling is just a romantic way to connect the dots of awesomeness throughout Iowa. I had never been to Iowa before and it was incredibly inspiring to see how the entire state embraces this 40-year-old event.

Every middle-of-nowhere farmhouse and small town along the route open up their hearts and homes, offering up much-needed goodies to all the calorie-starved riders.  Homemade everything is one the menu, ranging from fresh peach pie to any corn product you could ever imagine.  Even the Police get into the fun; I was passed a few times by cruisers that were blaring inspirational rock music out of their loudspeakers.  The South is well-known for its hospitality, but I’d say that the Midwestern charm and generosity is equally as magical.

After 30 miles of furious pedaling I came to the realization that no matter how hard I spun my tiny cranks, my trusty big wheel wasn’t going to get me to the final stop of the day.  Feeling defeated, I rolled into the small town of Schaller and pulled into the shade of a big Cottonwood tree.  The temperate was well over 100 degrees and this was the only place in sight to escape the oppressive heat.  Also seeking refuge in the shade was a ragtag group of dudes wearing dirty wife beaters and downing cheap American beer.  Within seconds I too had a warm beer in my hand, making friends and learning how to juggle apples.   These friendly Iowan crazies call themselves the ‘Davis Family Band’ and this is their 12^th year participating in the event.  I instantly understood their passion for RAGBRAI…and beer.

Video: A Day at RAGBRAI…Duzer Style

My fellow big wheeling buddies Matt And Rob rolled in about 20 minutes later looking like they had just crossed the Sahara.  Luckily our new friends offered to take us to the final town of the day in their trailer.  I’ve never used a SAG vehicle in my life but I had to be realistic.  If I wanted to continue riding I wouldn’t arrive until midnight.  Reluctantly, we loaded our big wheels in the trailer and prepared to jump in for a 30-mile boost to the town of Lake View.

While awkwardly fitting our trikes around their huge beer cooler and barbeque, I noticed something beautiful.  Its cherry red frame, 26inch tires and full size cranks drew me in like a Siren enticing Odysseus.   It screamed out, “Ryan, I’m all yours!”  I asked my new friend Herbert (not sure if that was his real name) if anyone from his team was riding it.  They all looked at each other and said, “You’re riding it now!”  I jumped on for a quick test ride and it was as if I had just hopped on a rocket ship.

I was the happiest guy in Iowa and psyched to finish off the day on two wheels and a plethora of gears.  I couldn’t believe how easy and efficient it was to pedal; it was as if my legs were suddenly injected with steroids, it seemed too easy.

The eight of us took off into the rolling cornfields as the afternoon sun lowered on the horizon.  The rest of the day was spent riding as fast as we could in between each town in order to maximize our beer drinking at the local bars.  I usually hydrate with water on my long distance rides but everyone around me was drinking like fish, so naturally I joined in, not wanting to offend the locals.

We finally rolled into Lake View at around 8:30 PM as the sun was setting over the cornfields.  I jumped in the warm lake and drank an even warmer beer while watching the sun cast an orange glow over the town.  Heaven!

My one-day at RAGBRAI felt like an entire week.  This experience will forever be engrained as one of my happiest memories on a bike.  Iowa is everything good about America, beautiful landscapes, genuine people and a strong passion for enjoying the little things in life.

I’ll be back next year for sure…on a bike with full size wheels and lots of gears, I can’t wait.

Is there a way to reinvent the wheel? What comes around goes around and the wheels of fortune might be on your side, visit here to see if today is your lucky day.

For more on Ryan, head over to his website: www.duzertv.com.

Later this week, Krissy and members of the Nelson family will be taking part in RAGBRAI (an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state of Iowa).  But even though she has ridden it several times in the past, this one will mean more than all the rest combined.  Please join me in reading Krissy’s emotional story about how this year the Nelson’s will be dedicating the ride to her inspirational cycling Grandpa.

Why I Ride: RAGBRAI 2012 Dedicated to Grandpa Nelson

by Krissy Nelson

I remember the first time he said it out loud to me, “I have Alzheimer’s.”  I already knew this, but for some reason it felt like the first I’d heard the news when Grandpa was the one saying it.  We were in his workshop and he was telling me all about some of his old hand crank drills and carpenter’s tools he enjoyed using so much in his earlier years.  Grandpa could fix anything, but he could not fix this fate.  He hugged me tight, told me he loved me, and that he was proud of the person I’d grown up to be.

Grandpa was one of the first people who got me into long distance cycling.  When I was younger I would hear all about this thing called RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa) that he and a few other family members, including my Dad, would go on in July.  I thought they were crazy – I mean, who wants to use their vacation time to ride their bike across a state?

This year will be my 11^th RAGBRAI…yep I caught the same cycling bug my family had, and Grandpa was right there to lead the charge!  How many people can say they’ve ridden across a state with their grandfather?  I’m lucky enough to say that I have several times.  I share this story a lot because I apply to all parts of my life now, but the best piece of advice my Grandpa ever gave me was: “As long as we’re pedaling, we’re moving forward.”

This came from him on my first RAGBRAI as we were riding up a hill.  I was in too high of a gear and Grandpa told me to just spin up the hill -  get in an easier gear.  As soon as I did that, I was good to go.  Grandpa didn’t believe in being a speed demon or killing your legs.  He was very much the “slow and steady wins the race” type, but he pedaled every last mile and finished every RAGBRAI rode.  Because of Grandpa, I actually enjoy the hills now.  I sit up, relax, and just pedal.  I enjoy the view from the saddle of my bicycle.  There is no hill I climb that I don’t think of him.

Sadly, on April 18^th this year, my Grandpa Nelson passed away.  To put it lightly, I was devastated; I still am.  Grandpa had been in a nursing home for a few months and I am so blessed that I was able to see him the day before he died.  While that was a very difficult day for me, I am so glad I saw him.  Grandpa always knew that I loved him, but being able to tell him again how much is something I will never forget.  My sister, and cousin stood by his bed for a very long time and I squeezed his hand….and he squeezed it back.  Without a doubt, one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life was to tell my Grandpa goodbye as we left the nursing home, knowing it would most definitely be the last time I’d see him.  I leaned to give him a hug, and with every ounce in him, Grandpa lifted his arms and hugged me back.

At his memorial service, we had set up Grandpa’s bike in the front of the room and it became quite the topic of conversation.  It was right then that my cousin, Matt, came up with the idea that we needed to give Grandpa’s bike One Last Ride – we would each take turns and alternate riding his bike to get it across Iowa for the final time.  Since that moment the plans have been in the works and now we are ready for RAGBRAI.  In addition to riding in honor of Grandpa, we will also be riding to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s disease.  In the seven days that we ride across Iowa, an estimated 160 Iowans alone will die due to Alzheimer’s.  There is NO cure, NO way to stop it or slow it’s progression….but the end of Alzheimer’s can start with YOU.

We have teamed up with the Alzheimer’s Association and have set up a fundraising page on our team blog – http://TeamUffda.blogspot.com, in which visitors to the site can donate.  We will also for the first time ever, be selling Team Uffda merchandise.  Since my family stated Team Uffda, we have never sold anything with our name on it, but this year we’re changing that.  We will have for a limited time, special Team Uffda shirts that people will be eligible to purchase for $25 (includes shipping costs) after making a minimum $25 donation to the Alzheimer’s fundraising page we have set up.  Fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association is ultimately our goal, so if you would rather just give to them and not buy a shirt, that option is of course available.  The plan is to update our blog daily, so please check back regularly during RAGBRAI to see our progress and stories from the road.

While the RAGBRAI route is one of the “easier” ones in recent history, there is no doubt that this will be the most difficult RAGBRAI for my family.  I’m going to cry; I know I will.  But behind those tears will be joy.  Joy for the memories I have of riding all those miles alongside my Grandpa on RAGBRAI; joy for the opportunity to share his story; and joy for the chance to do some good in honor of someone who did more good in his lifetime than anyone I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.  When I feel the wind at my back, it will no doubt be my Grandpa giving me a push.

I will forever ride for you Grandpa.

*I’d like to thank those of you who have been so supportive to my family and me during the past few months.  Anyone who has ever taken a few moments to tell me that they are thinking of my family and me or write a little note of encouragement, I am forever grateful.  And thank you to Darryl for letting me post this on the Loving the Bike site.  You are a true friend.