No bike, no problem: RAGBRAI still fun for me

John Naughton has set the standard for finding fun without wheels

RAGBRAI is the nation’s largest recreational bike ride, which drew a projected 60,000 riders during an Ames-to-Des Moines leg this past week.

And then there’s me. What? I haven’t been on a bike since junior high.

The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa attracts cyclists from dozens of countries to pedal past our state’s rolling hills, connecting with friends and friendly strangers and testing their ability to withstand heat and storms.

I spent Friday night testing my ability to navigate through the Coralville beer garden.

RAGBRAI completed its 50th trip across Iowa this week. (Photo by John Naughton.)

I worked for 31 years as a Des Moines Register employee. I spent many July days on RAGBRAI without touching a bike or cycling helmet. While many Register co-workers have biked across the route over the past 50 years, I’m not one of them.

Yet, if you want to find me on RAGBRAI, I may be watching bands on the overnight towns… buying a beer for an out-of-state visitor… or sampling a local piece of pie.

RAGBRAI does have something to offer for those of us who don’t know Schwinn from a hole in a campsite ground.

Coralville hosted Friday’s RAGBRAI concert series. (Photo by John Naughton.)

Over the years, RAGBRAI has developed several reputations, depending on who you ask: Is it a family fun event that brings together people in a summer reunion on wheels? Or is it a Bacchanalian party that lasts a week?

I think it’s fair to say that it can be both.

For me — someone who enjoys all things Iowa, travel and concerts — RAGBRAI brings a dose of entertainment provided by host communities.

The band Plush takes the stage at Coralville Friday. (Photo by John Naughton.)

Coralville, which has hosted multiple RAGBRAI overnights, knows how to show riders a good time. The town had a long day of entertainment, with the band Bush topping the lineup.

Some of the other headliner bands in overnight towns this year included Lynyrd Skynyrd (Des Moines), Foghat (Tama/Toledo) and the Spin Doctors (Sioux City).