More than just a bike ride:

Editor’s note: This a first-person account of RAGBRAI 2018 from the perspective of Jasper County Tribune intern Willa Colville, who pedaled the 177.4-mile route from Onawa to Ames Sunday through Tuesday.

In 2017, my dad, Bill Colville, decided to try RAGBRAI for the first time. When he and my mom were first married nearly 30 years ago, riding bikes was a mere pastime. Before last year, my dad had not been on a bike in years. His determination, especially at his age, inspired me. So, a few weeks before the 2018 route was announced, I made a deal with my dad — if the route went through Central Iowa, I would join him and his friends on RAGBRAI. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

In late January when the route was announced, I was living in Ames where I attend Iowa State University. I was very enthusiastic at the beginning and started to train, going to the gym a few times a week. However, as my schedule became busier, finals rolled around, and I started going to the gym less.

Once summer hit and I moved back home, my motivation was at an all-time low for RAGBRAI training. My dad stressed how important it was for me to get time on my bike but, I figured, after swimming under NCMP Coach Sarah Patterson for four years, I would be prepared for anything.

While I may not have been physically ready for the long, hot rides across Iowa, I was even more unprepared for the RAGBRAI experience as a whole. I rode alongside Team Martini, a group of seasoned RAGBRAI-ers who wait anxiously for this week to come around each year. I quickly learned why they love it so much.

The first morning I woke up, got dressed, hopped on my mom’s 30-year-old turquoise Century bike, and the rest was left on the pavement behind me. As my dad has said many times this week, “It’s an adventure.” While riding through the Loess Hills near Denison, I gained a greater appreciation for Iowa’s beauty. In each town where we have stayed, I met the most interesting people. I can truthfully say, RAGBRAI is unlike anything I have ever experienced.

There was nothing that could have prepared me for the masses of cyclists I would be riding next to each day. Unfortunately, the thousands of bikers proved to be a challenge. While riding, I found myself in the middle of a large group, and I my lost balance causing myself and another biker’s tires to crash together. After we both wiped out, dozens of people around us stopped and helped. Thankfully, we were both relatively unscathed. That incident showed me just how amazing people can be. Even though I was surrounded by strangers I still felt extremely safe.

Each night after our team was done riding for the day, we would eat dinner and exchange stories. I realized my team members are more than friends but are a family. Some of them have been riding together for over two decades. From everything I have witnessed, RAGBRAI is much more than just a simple bike ride across Iowa.

While in Jefferson, our team stayed at a friends house along with another group, Team Pez. While talking with some of the candy-themed group, I learned about a member of their team who has stage four cancer. After years of enjoying RAGBRAI, he chose to stick out what may be his last ride with his son. While his story is unique, it is not difficult to find this kind of heart and dedication while participating in the Iowan tradition.

Although there are still a couple days to go, I have had the experience of a lifetime. I have enjoyed the adrenaline of a great ride, the delicious food served in each town and, of course, the people I have met along the way. RAGBRAI is definitely a week that every Iowan should experience. Next year, I will be riding alongside Team Martini again ... hopefully better prepared.