Join Team CoeBRAI on RAGBRAI XXXVII®

Early registration has closed with a record 37 full-time riders signed up for Team CoeBRAI. Space is at a premium, but you can still ride along with the official Coe College team on the Register’s Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), scheduled for July 19-25, 2009.
 
Coe students, alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends are all welcome to join Team CoeBRAI for all or part of the journey. Need a ride to the start in Council Bluffs? Need a ride home from Burlington? Only riding a day or two or three? Want to order a Team CoeBRAI jersey? Interested in hosting Team CoeBRAI in your town?

All options are available. Just indicate your needs on this interest form and we’ll do our best to accommodate your particular request. Unregistered riders need not apply.

If you have questions or comments, contact Lonnie Zingula at lzingula@coe.edu or (319) 399-8613.

The Route
RAGBRAI XXXVII cuts a 442-mile route through the southern half of the state. Beginning in Council Bluffs on July 18, the ride will stop in Red Oak (July 19), Greenfield (July 20), Indianola (July 21), Chariton (July 22), Ottumwa (July 23), and Mt. Pleasant (July 24) before ending in Burlington on July 25.

It's the sixth-shortest route of all time, and the 22,806 total feet of climb ranks as the 10th most in RAGBRAI history.

Again in 2009, we will seek hosts from among the Coe community at each of the overnight towns.

Entry Fees
Weeklong riders who have registered independently with RAGBRAI may join Team CoeBRAI for $275, which is due July 1. In addition to the benefits provided by your RAGBRAI registration, this fee includes a Team CoeBRAI license plate, bus transportation from Cedar Rapids to Council Bluffs on July 18 and Burlington to Cedar Rapids on July 25, gear transport to each overnight stop, and snacks and non-alcoholic beverages at each overnight stop.

Registered part-time riders can join us for $25 per day, which includes gear transport to each overnight stop and snacks and beverages.

Part-time riders and full-time riders who were not part of Team CoeBRAI’s group registration will have the opportunity to purchase a Team CoeBRAI jersey, but it is not included in the entry fee.

As space allows, transportation may also be available from Cedar Rapids to Council Bluffs on July 18 ($100) and/or from Burlington to Cedar Rapids on July 25 ($50).

Additionally, participants should plan to spend $20-$30 per day on food and beverages, bike repairs, showers, etc.

Refund policy
While we understand that life happens, we must insist on a no-refund policy for cancellations after July 1. Additionally, we will follow this refund schedule: 75% on or before May 1, 50% on or before June 1 and 25% on or before July 1.

Registration
Theoretically, RAGBRAI is limited to 8,500 week-long riders and 1,500 daily riders. Entries will exceed the number of riders allowed, so a random computer lottery takes place after all of the entries are entered in the computer. Lottery results are available online on May 1. Team CoeBRAI's 2007 registration was not selected in the lottery, but soon after we received credentials as a result of cancellations. Participants who are part of an organized team have a far better chance of selection than individuals.

In actuality, RAGBRAI participation will swell to 15,000+ riders on any given day. Many people participate, either a day or two or all week, without registering. It is the policy of Team CoeBRAI to participate only as official RAGBRAI registrants.

While we will make separate arrangements for some of the things provided by RAGBRAI registration, our entry fees contribute to many more things that you may never need, but without which the ride would not be possible. Included are sag wagon service for break downs, both physical and mechanical and especially mental; emergency medical service; route markings and daily maps; wristband discounts; free issues of The Des Moines Register in each of the host communities; 11 bicycle shops on the route to service your bike; an entry into the free bike drawing for riders and other prizes for support vehicle drivers; access to long-term parking; bicycle shipping stations; and free lost and found mailing service. Apparently, the registration fee doesn't pay for the awesome service provided along the route by the Iowa Highway Patrol, but that vital service would disappear if it became a disorganized ride dominated by unregistered bikers. The Register claims its fee also pays for "great Iowa hospitality," but that’s free of charge.

WAIVERS OF LIABILITY: Neither Coe College nor the Coe RAGBRAI® Organizing Committee (aka Team CoeBRAI) accept any liability for your personal health or safety. You waive all claims against anyone associated with RAGBRAI®, including Coe College and the Coe RAGBRAI® Organizing Committee (aka Team CoeBRAI), when you sign the official RAGBRAI® AGREEMENT, WAIVER & RELEASE OF LIABILITY. Read it before you sign it! Riding in motor vehicles, riding bicycles, being out in the weather, eating food prepared by strangers, etc., all entail a degree of risk. You assume that risk.