Team Ridgway reunited after our drives and set up camp in a meadow between the Bass Pro Shop and a Springhill Suites. Then it was off to the rider orientation and the driver orientation for our self-proclaimed minion. (YES, we have a MINION!!!) We enjoyed the cool air inside the Mid-America Center pavilion and scored some sweet free swag at the dozens of vendor booths. From free Gu to bike bottles and coupons for free meals in various chain restaurants. The vendors brought their A game. Interesting stuff to check out and prices that all looked pretty reasonable.
We found that there are a lot of Coloradans here and even a few folks from Montrose and Ouray! The long term parking lot practically looked like the Colorado cars lot!
Speaking of people who are here, we saw Lance Armstrong from about 7 feet away. He was hanging around a bike shop booth and people were lined up to have their picture taken with the infamous champion, doper and bully. In truth, the line for a photo really was not very long. It was longer than the line for shaved ice but shorter than the popular food booth lines. No, I won't be posting a picture of Lance, though Al got a good one from a couple feet away.
Day zero is also the time for the first ride of the event. We rode the short route down to the Missouri River, our official starting point. The traffic on the narrow bike path looked a lot like the Golden Gate BRidge at rush hour - tons of traffic going both directions in a very narrow space. We took team photos and rode back together, with a little detour for me riding through a sprinkler system set up as a ride through cooling off point.
Just a word about RAGBRAI organization - SNAFU!!! Unlike rides I have done in Colorado and New Mexico, at least today there is more chaos than organization. Everyone is looking and asking about water. Where is the water and most of the RAGRAI staff really do not know. I imagine things will smooth out on the trail, but I am really glad I was warned to bring more water than anyone else thought we should. We went through a lot today and we were not really riding. So, after some effort, we found water and filled up every container including the 7 gallon flat can I slipped into the RV yesterday morning.
In truth, it is not very hot yet, but us high altitude living folks are not used to the heat combined with humidity. We are struggling a bit to adjust. The hottest place of all ... the vendor area which was on pavement and in full sun. Tonight we sleep, or try to sleep given the tremendous noise from the interstate, the generators and the sounds of being in a city. Tomorrow, the games begin!!!! Up early and in the saddle.
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