We are registered and I can't ride a bike, who knew?

Got HRH registered this weekend. It was not as easy as we would like it to be. We had to get the contact person changed to HRH in order to drop me, but we got it all done. Why are we dropping me? It isn't like I actually rode. And we don't need a team since we don't need a car permit. So we are a one person team. HRH Rocks.

I mentioned I forgot how to ride a bike, right? Well, I did. We tried out a lot of, well they call them comfort bikes. But they are little old lady bikes. They have a wide seat, not as wide as mine, but still it will do. They also have a step through, what we used to call a girl's bike. But the last time I rode a bike it only had one speed and you stopped by dropping your Keds in the dirt.

I finally found what I was looking for at Bike World here in Des Moines. It is called a Townie and is brilliant purple. I spent $600 for the bike, a rear view mirror, and a helmet. HRH said I needed the helmet. Keep in mind she wasn't wearing one when she tried to ride that luggage cart into the Toyota. But she is the expert so I got one. It is not easy to get something stylish  in my size.   I'm talking about the helmet now not the bicycle seat. Everyone asks me if I got a bell or a horn. I assured them the blood-curdling scream should be sufficient.

HRH is pretty certain I just need confidence. That and to learn to stop without falling down. We are certain my bike will fit on the rack with hers. All that being said, it will be the last full week of July soon enough and I want to get good enough at riding this thing so I can help her train...well maybe next year.

Registration Due by June 1, 2015

Well, HRH and I were at the planning summit for the 2015 Ragbrai ride. The summit, as protocol dictated, was held in the Apple Valley Nail Trust. She went with the traditional Lady of the Evening Red, while I chose Who The Hell Thinks of These Names Pink.

We agreed we should get the registration paperwork (well it is done by computer but you know what I mean) done this week. CaDiva is checking the hotel. We also started to accumulate squart bottles.

These are squat quart plastic milk cartons. CaDiva makes iced tea and freezes it in these bottles. Then we pack them into the cooler with all the carbs and Simply Raspberry Lemonade. I won't go into how something can be simply raspberry and lemonade because HRH likes it and she is the one who is pedaling her backside across Iowa.

I'm worried because Costco quit carrying the Greek Pasta Salad, which is a Ragbrai cooler staple. But I'm certain CaDiva will find a suitable replacement. I think we get a fridge in this hotel. That is good given this is a four day ride. I'll give you more information after CaDiva conducts her recon session this week.

HRH said she is going to take me riding as soon as these spring rain storms slow down. I asked her to concentrate on some place I can relearn how to turn. I know I used to be able to turn both right and left. I know this because it was a right out of the driveway, left on Granada, and another right at the crossing guard before we turned left to the bike racks at Stonewall Jackson Elementary School. Not to mention, at that time I had HRH on the saddlebag rack and a violin across the handle bars. So, I know it is doable.

Anyway, the important thing is, this is going to happen. RAGBRAI 2015  is looming. And we need to get registered.

Ragbrai isn't for two months - let's play

HRH, CaDiva and I took time off our diligent training for Ragbrai 2015 to visit a pottery fair at a local winery. I loved the cranberry and brought a bottle home for Thanksgiving. It seemed appropriate. HRH found some adorable pottery pieces, a few bottles of something fermented and some ill-gotten lilacs.