Aaawww man, a horrible realization just struck me

[prolesunited]

I was reading the lists of speakers for the Dem convention and getting REALLY excited and then I realized I WON'T SEE ANY OF IT!!!

I'll be riding my bike across the state of Iowa and camping in a tent every night. I'm excited about my trip and have been planning and training for months.

Well, I guess I can watch all the video streams on the CSPAN site, but it certainly won't be the same as watching it live with all of my fellow DUers. :-(

[UrbScotty]

1. I heard that I won't be able too, either.

:-(

Hey, there's C-SPAN.

[prolesunited]

7. Why won't you be able to?

I wasn't planning on attending, but I thought I could catch the coverage each day on CSPAN. I know they'll have the segments posted.

I have a cable modem, so the video streams won't be a problem. I'll just be a week behind.

[Itchinjim]

2. RAGBRAI ?

I need to do that someday.

[prolesunited]

8. You guessed it!

It will be my first time. Who woulda thunk I could credibly write "virgin" on my leg? ;-)


http://www.ragbrai.com/

[Taverner]

20. Awww man you'll love it`

RAGBRAI is so fun...and you really get a chance to see rural Iowa. Kind of like "The Straight Story" (in fact I think there was a sequence where RAGBRAI met up with the guy) but with lots more people.

[Not Me]

3. Have fun!!

I have done a couple weeklong trips...but found that I enjoy ending the day at a bed and breakfast over tent camping. It gives me a chance to socialize with the locals.

I rode around the Big Island of Hawaii a couple years ago and really enjoyed meeting with all the people on the backside of the island...whom most tourists never see.

Have fun...and scout out a tv lest you miss the fun of the convention.

[prolesunited]

10. Well, there's like 8,000 to 10,000 people

on this ride each day, so it's like a rolling city. Towns bid on getting designated as a host site and you camp in parks and football fields and other open areas.

Some of the locals open up there homes and you can make arrangements, but I'm traveling alone and wouldn't feel comfortable staying in strangers' homes. And from what I hear, you can end up in some lousy places.

Your biking adventure in Hawaii sounds great! I hate being in pl

I guess this is a big thing, especially for the small communities and most of the locals get involved in making sure everyone has a good time. They even stand alongside the road and wave at you.

Don't think I'll be doing much TV watching. There's parties and live bands in every overnight host city. I'm not *that* much of a political junkie. :D

[Misunderestimator]

4. Wow... I'd love to do that....

:jealous:

[prolesunited]

11. Hey, you can always join me next year!

Provided I survive this year and want to do it again.

It's about 500 miles over seven days and contrary to what everyone thinks, Iowa is NOT flat although I understand the elevation climbs this year rank mild in comparison to some previous years.

I've been training hard and put in about 1,800 miles since January, including two centuries. I'm a little worried about the hills because I haven't has as much practice on those as I would have liked.

[Misunderestimator]

15. I used to bike 25 miles a day during the week, and 50 on the weekends

when I lived in upstate New York. Lots of hills where I lived, in the foothills of the Adirondacks. It was a real accomplishment to finally pedal up one particularly steep incline without getting off my bike and walking.

Seriously, I would really love to do something like that.

What kind of bike do you have? I have a Cannondale Silkpath hybrid... and I love it, but it might be a bit heavy for that kind of riding.

[prolesunited]

17. That sounds nice

Not a lot of hills here. I can only ride three nights during the week because I have a second job (to pay for my addictions :-) ) but I try to get longer rides in on the weekends.

I have two bikes: a Trek 7300 hybrid and a my road bike, which is a Trek 2300 WSD




Last year I took my hybrid on the Katy Trail in Missouri. That was a really scenic ride. Here's some pics if you're interested:
http://homepage.mac.com/prolesunited/Through_My_Eyes/PhotoAlbum34.html

[Misunderestimator]

19. Those are GREAT pics!

Reminds me of NOT being in Florida. Love the flag/windmill and the sunset ones... and I have always loved old colonial barns.

Do you have head and seat shocks? Having those is the only way my back survives riding.

[prolesunited]

21. Thanks!

Here's some really nice sunrises and sunsets that I took when I was in San Diego earlier this year:
http://homepage.mac.com/prolesunited/Through_My_Eyes/PhotoAlbum64.html

The hybrid does, but not the road bike, of course. You're in such a different position, though, that the vertebrae in your back don't compress the same way and if it's really a bad surface, your arms and legs act as shock absorbers.

[Misunderestimator]

23. More great pics... beautiful

I was in San Diego for a conference a few years ago, and spent a day in La Jolla... love it there. And NO BUGS... perfect weather and (let me say again) NO BUGS!! Florida sucks. :)

[jobycom]

5. Yeah, wow, that must suck bad

I'll be much happier going home from my job and watching a bunch of staged cheering and hearing more speeches I've already heard.

[prolesunited]

12. Didn't say I would rather be at work

and I disagree with you about the convention. I think we're at a turning point in the party and in the past five years are watching history be made. I guess I have a different perspective.

Hope you have fun whatever you decide to do that week.

[jobycom]

16. History is always being made

It is rarely made in speeches, though.

I'm sure I'll be watching, if for nothing else, to spot my friends who will be there.

[flamingyouth]

6. But what you're doing is so cool, proles

That sounds awesome to me. We'll all live it for you - and I'll think of you while I'm watching.:hi:

[prolesunited]

13. Yes, it is VERY cool!

I'm very excited (and a little nervous.) Don't worry. I'm sure I'll be posting a full report and LOTS of pictures when I get back, which reminds me that I need another memory stick.

[flamingyouth]

14. Look forward to your most excellent photos

I have a good friend in Iowa, but I think she will have moved back here by the time of your ride.

Have a safe and wonderful trip!:hi:

[tech3149]

9. Dude, don't you know

The revolution will not be televised?

thx to Joe Trippi for feeding this meme

[Blue-Jay]

18. Check for radio stations in the area that are broadcasting.

Something to listen to, at any rate...

:)

[prolesunited]

22. I don't own a radio.

Anyway, I think I'll be plenty busy. :-)