en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/2502723 Comments by kanti33 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/WATCH-RAGBRAI-Include-Overnight-Stay-in-Coralville-114884144.html#IDComment124776100 I know tons of people who ride bikes and do NOT drink at all, binge or otherwise. Some riders choose to have libations as they ride, others wait until the end town to partake, and others don't partake at all. About 9 of my Ragbrais have been alcohol free...and they are just as enjoyable as the ones where I did have a few drinks. My FAVORITE ride was one place in a town offering bloody marys without the vodka.....but LOTS of pickles, celery and olives.... YUMMMMM And as an aside...not everyone who goes to bars drink either. Some just like to hear music.....and/or be with friends. Sun, 30 Jan 2011 20:04:32 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/WATCH-RAGBRAI-Include-Overnight-Stay-in-Coralville-114884144.html#IDComment124776100 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/WATCH-RAGBRAI-Include-Overnight-Stay-in-Coralville-114884144.html#IDComment124775467 Absolutely right! I think it was 3 years ago.....when it was terribly hot, a terrible storm (when the tree limb came down and killed a young cyclist) and then the temp dropped. A farmer made a BONFIRE on his property and ragbraier's could come in the morning when the temp was about 45degrees and sit there to warm up. I've had some chilly ragbrai's but that was the first when I sat at a bonfire at the end of July in Iowa. It was surreal! Sun, 30 Jan 2011 19:58:57 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/WATCH-RAGBRAI-Include-Overnight-Stay-in-Coralville-114884144.html#IDComment124775467 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/WATCH-RAGBRAI-Include-Overnight-Stay-in-Coralville-114884144.html#IDComment124772434 I am not familiar with ANY trail in my area (eastern Iowa) that would be able to accommodate the number of riders that Ragbrai attracts. Several years ago when we went through Hiawatha we were encouraged NOT to use the trail, (not that I recall who gave that 'encouragement'.) I did use it, along with several friends, also from this area. We were familiar with it and there were a number of people on it. But had the whole ridership been directed there, it would not have been able to handle the numbers. Sun, 30 Jan 2011 19:35:42 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/WATCH-RAGBRAI-Include-Overnight-Stay-in-Coralville-114884144.html#IDComment124772434 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/WATCH-RAGBRAI-Include-Overnight-Stay-in-Coralville-114884144.html#IDComment124759016 Cyclists do our best to make vehicle operators know that we are on the road.....and we hope a mutual respect and accomodation continues. Let's play nice, folks. Sun, 30 Jan 2011 17:43:09 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/WATCH-RAGBRAI-Include-Overnight-Stay-in-Coralville-114884144.html#IDComment124759016 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/WATCH-RAGBRAI-Include-Overnight-Stay-in-Coralville-114884144.html#IDComment124758890 I've ridden Ragbrai about 12 times. Yes, there are some who are not considerate of others property. Yes, there are some that do not obey traffic /bike laws. These can be from both the experienced rider group and the inexperienced group. Personally, I have more frustration with the experience rider people, who know the rules but don't follow them. At least the newbies can claim ignorance. AND there are serious bikers on Ragbrai, and those who do 'party' across the state. From what I have seen ....both riding early in the day and late in the day, is that MOST people do their best to be considerate. Sun, 30 Jan 2011 17:42:11 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/WATCH-RAGBRAI-Include-Overnight-Stay-in-Coralville-114884144.html#IDComment124758890