Post #4  RAGBRAI 2017.

If you've gotten this far, you are either ready to quit or you are starting to get the idea of RAGBRAI.   If you are a foodie, you'll note that no food pics yet, but that is coming as we approach the 2018 ride, which officially begins on Sunday, 25 July.

Here is our team picture from 2017

Yes, it's Bob kissing the baby pig.   So sweet.   Unfortunately Bob squeezed the pig a little too hard.....and, well you know what happened next. 

We all wound up kissing the pig.   It's supposed to be good luck and certainly something you want to consider once in your lifetime or when you are at RAGBRAI.

Here's Chris and Bob having a little fun in Primgar, Iowa.   The pass thru towns are always fun.

Here is the "Grotto of the Redemption" in West Bend, Iowa that Sister Carol recommended.   

Bob and Chris enjoying a great barbecued pork chop (nearly 12 Oz) from Mr Pork Chop.

Mike, Bob, and Chris take a break at Clear Lake.   This was a welcome relief on a hot day. 

Chris and Bob walking thru town.  Check out the crowds (and the  coming rain behind them.

Lefsa in Decorah, IA

A good food stop in 2017 was this great little Norwegian Town of Decorah, where we had Lefsa, a Norwegian version of the Tortilla.   Lefsa is great with butter and sugar (or anything sweet).  It's a favorite of my Norwegian relatives.

  This is a Norwegian dog watering station, a take off from Oof Dah!, now Woof Dah! 

Walking thru the "arch of bicycles in Rockford IA

The ride thins out a little after lunch.   The daily route is "open" from 6 am until sunset.    There are cyclists on the course as early as 5:30 am and they are still coming in at  7 pm at night.   The late riders enjoy extra time in the beer gardens.

Chris and Bob enjoying a craft beer at the beer garden before the last leg into camp.

Our final night in camp in 2017 with Tammy Pavich, owner Pork Belly Ventures.  Over 500 tenters are supported by Pork Belly each year and another 500 or so bring their own tents to the PBV campsites.   It's a big enterprise and Tammy and her staff do a great job.

Our last night in camp in 2017

Bob on our last night in camp.   Look at all the tents (more than 500 of them).   Our tents are on the front row (#2,3 and 4).

Bugle Girl playing morning reveille on our last day

Each morning at 6 am, we are awakened by "bugle girl" playing reveille.   Here she is on the last day of 2017.   As the week went on,  she would a draw a large cheer for reveille and taps..... and a few other numbers she played. 

Chris climbing one of the 3 big hills enroute to the Mississippi.   Many cyclists walked these hills, but not Chris.  These were the biggest hills of 2017, all on the last day.

Chris and Bob on the Mississippi in 2017