So I know most of you have probably never heard of RAGBRAI but it's a big motivator for me. 10,000+ people ride their bicycles across the state of Iowa in a week. My whole family is going this year as a way to honor my gram who passed away last year during RAGBRAI. The most important thing in the world to her was family, so by committing to this week of togetherness we are honoring her. And our team is named for her.

So, anyway. I don't want to haul 74 extra pounds across the state and I'm thinking I lost 12 pounds in January. Five months times ten pounds gets me within 24 pounds of where I want to be. Five months times 14 pounds gets me within 4 pounds. Not sure I can do that, but I'm going to try. Minnimum of 10 pounds per month. Aim for 14 pounds per month. I would have made 14 this month without the stupid head cold, so I know I can do it.

Just wanted to publicly commit to this plan. This is the perfect place to put it in writing. Wish me luck, chicks!

Yea for RAGBRAI !!

For "inquiring" minds...RAGBRAI stands for the Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa...the Des Moines Register is a big newspaper in Iowa!

Wow...good for you! I will have to look at the route...I only heard it was going to end in Dubuque. We live in an area where it has been the "end" before... and as a community it is a lot of work!

I will be rooting for you!!

That sounds like lots of fun and it is a really sweet thing for your family to be doing together to honor your gram and I'm sure she appreciates it and will be riding with you in spirit.

RAGBRAI is a great goal! Best of luck - you can do it!!

That's awesome! I have a friend who rides his bike in a HUGE ride across Iowa every year....this has got to be the same thing. He loves it so much....says it's beautiful and all the little towns are so wonderful. Good luck!

that is awesome! You go girl!!!!

I agree, I think that is a fantastic goal, and a really cool way to honour your grandmother.

that sounds great, and what a lovely tribute for your grandmother!

I am from Iowa originally, and I remember when Donald Kaul, a Register columnist, started RAGBRAI. It was probably in the early 70's. It has really taken hold and grown and grown! What a nice tribute to your gram.

I know someone who does RAGBRAI every year, and I live in Florida!

traci - congrats that's a great goal.

Signing up for something big like this is great for motivation. It's how I got involved in Triathlons. I'll also be working big-time on my biking. I'd LOVE to do RAGBRAI and I hear the course is flatter this year which is nice, but alas I can't take the time out of training.

Let us know how it goes.

Love RAGBRAI!!!! It was such a blast when the route came through my hometown!! The overnights were so much fun. I have friends that have done it and I have always considered it. However, I save my trips back home to head straight to Kinnick Stadium!

Love the goal and wish you the best of luck!

I am originally from the Quad Cities on the Illinois side and I can say I officially rode the whole route back in high school.

In 1984 our track coach got 8 from girls track team and 10 from the boys track team. We had 2 of the smaller buses that we camped in at night. And I am proud to say 7 of the girls finished the whole route and only 6 of the boys did the whole thing. It gave us bragging rights the whole next year. I still have the patch.

Man I wish I had the energy I had back then. But we all had a blast. We only got rained on one morning for a couple of hours the rest of the time the weather was great.