RAGBRAI is right around the corner…

The 36th RAGBRAI will run through Missouri Valley, Harlan, Jefferson, Ames, Tama-Toledo, North Liberty, Tipton and Le Clare.  Lance Armstrong will be here for the 3rd time.

RAGBRAI – Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa.

It’s a household word in Iowa, one synomous with the last full week in July. 

This will be my tenth year on RAGBRAI and even though I’m not able to do the entire week every year, I wouldn’t miss riding a couple days each year.

I started riding RAGBRAI in 1999 and hadn’t really ridden a bike much since I was a kid. The first year I went, I rode only two days, but a very hot and hilly two days.  The heat index the first day was at least 110 the first day and 115 the second day I rode. The first day was from Waverly to Decorah, the second day from Decorah to Manchester. If anyone has driven in northeast Iowa, it’s even hillier when you’re on a bike! 

However, after that year with a sore butt and being hot and tired, I fell in love with it.

Inexpensive and quick family getaway

The Corridor is ideally located for quick weekend getaways. Recently, we each packed a bag and headed just two hours west to Des Moines.

We stayed at Adventureland Inn in Altoona because our 4-year old loves waterparks and the hotel has two pool areas with play features. If we had never left the hotel and just played in the water, he would have been satisfied.

One of our first stops was Graziano Bros., a family-run Italian grocery store just south of downtown. I remember visiting the store as a child and being smacked by the delicious aromas of oregano, garlic and olive oil as you open the door. I definitely wasn’t let down! Here, you can purchase olive oil in gallon containers. Delish!