It feels today as if 100 tasks need to be done all at once. Maybe starting off this morning at Brome Hill will help me find some focus.
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A total of 23 people have signed on to join Team MCSA on RAGBRAI XLIII, which begins July 19 in Sioux City and ends July 25 in Davenport. Their registrations were mailed to the Des Moines Register on Tuesday — the day before the deadline. Whew.
Team MCSA was organized last year as a way to raise awareness for homeless Iowans while also raising some money and generating publicity and goodwill for MCSA, the nonprofit organization that runs the homeless and domestic violence shelters in Muscatine. It’s where I work to raise money and generate awareness.
Everyone who participated last year seemed to have a lot of fun, so we’re doing it again. And 13 of the 22 cyclists from the inaugural team have signed on again.
This year’s new team members are: Maggie and Tom Carpenter, Julie, Steve and Lauren Kundel, Colette Hostetler, Jacob Morrow, Andrea Stewart and Becky and Tim Svatos.
Go here to see a complete list of who is riding this year.
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So about those 100 tasks? Well, they include:
- The 48-seat chartered bus that has been tentatively leased by Team MCSA. With 23 cyclists and an anticipated support crew of three to five people, there are 20-some vacant seats on the bus. If you are going on RAGBRAI this year by yourself, or as part of a small team, and need a ride to Sioux City, perhaps Team MCSA can help. Please contact me and let’s see what can be worked out.
- That anticipated support crew mentioned above. Team MCSA still needs a driver — or drivers — for the support truck that will be used during the week-long ride. And we need a couple of people who are willing to help load and unload the truck every day. This is an opportunity to experience RAGBRAI without actually riding a bicycle. Please let me know if you are interested.
- Campsites in this year’s overnight towns. So far, we’ve got locations confirmed in Sioux City, Fort Dodge and Hiawatha. It appears we have overnight hosts lined up in Cedar Falls and Coralville/Iowa City — the details should be worked out today or Friday. That leaves Storm Lake and Eldora. We’re making contacts in those communities, but help would be greatly appreciated if you are reading this and have connections in either town.
RAGBRAI is 107 days away. It will be here before we know it. The good news is that bicycle-riding weather appears to have finally arrived in Iowa. And just getting on a bike and going for a ride is the best way clear my head on the days when it feels like 100 tasks need to be done all at once.
Brome Hill 