JustGoBike

This week AP and Murph sit down with ride director Matt Phippen to talk about RAGBRAI LI and the full 2024 route. This is part one of two where Matt dives into mileage, elevation and we talk a bit about each of the towns we will be visiting on the RAGBRAI route, from Glenwood to Winterset. We also talk a bit about the RAGBRAI Community Fund and the recently released town t-shirts. Each community worked with the local Iowa artist to create a custom print that embodies their community. Proceeds from this merchandise line go to the Community Fund! Episode 289: https://soundcloud.com/justgobike/episode-289-matt-phippen-and-an-overview-of-the-2024-ragbrai-li-route RAGBRAI Gives: https://ragbrai.com/community-fund/ Bozz Prints Merchandise: https://www.bozzprints.com/collections/ragbrai-li Have a topic for a future episode? Message us at justgobikepodcast@gmail.com. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration: ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

The Dream Team has kicked off another year and director Jeff Van Genderen is on this episode along with youth member Addy who is returning to be part of the team again. The Dream Team is a nonprofit organization in the Des Moines area that partners youth with adult mentors to provide a unique opportunity to build relationships, learn life skills and achieve personal growth as they train to ride bikes across the state during RAGBRAI. The program has been around 27 years and Jeff is going to tell us some updates along with the latest news on the Dream Team. Addy shares her experiences being part of the Dream Team, and why she decided to come back for another year. The Dream Team has launched a podcast!! You can listen to ‘Moving Forward’ on most podcast platforms. Dream Team podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moving-forward-the-official-podcast-of-dream-team/id1737706851 https://www.dreamteamdesmoines.org/ Have a topic for a future episode? Message us at justgobikepodcast@gmail.com. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

On March 24, 2024 Matt Bernhard passed away. Known as Mr. Pork Chop Jr., Matt was a RAGBRAI celebrity and alongside his signature pink bus, he made and sold grilled Iowa pork chops on the route each year. Riders would stand in long lines to get a chop that had been grilled on a bed of corncobs right there on the side of the road. His dad had launched the business back in the early 80’s after RAGBRAI came through their hometown of Bankroft and when Matt took it over, he perfected grilling techniques and riders responded by stopping whenever they saw the big pink bus. On this episode you will hear an excerpt from Episode 2 of Matt being interviewed by reporter Kyle Munson, and also an excerpt from Episode 127 when Murph interviewed Matt. We also have some special guests on to share memories of Matt and the big pink pig bus. Matt Bernhard is an icon that will be greatly missed. Special thanks to Matt Phippen, Brian Brinkema, Brian Powers, and Scott Sumpter for sharing. Episode 2: Continuing Legacies with Mr. Pork Chop Jr. https://soundcloud.com/justgobike/episode-3-continuing-legacies-with-mr-pork-chop-jr-and-ragbrai-45 Episode 127: Behind the Chop with Matt Bernhard https://soundcloud.com/justgobike/episode-127-behind-the-chop-with-matt-bernhard Have a topic for a future episode? Message us at justgobikepodcast@gmail.com. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration: ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

Joe and Coz Lindsay are on to tell us about life as a RAGBRAI SAG Driver. Joe and Coz are part of a great crew of drivers in 15 passenger vans that are spread out along the route each year, picking up riders who are not able to ride on. The guys tell Murph what it is like to be a SAG driver, reasons riders use the SAG, and also they provide riders with some good tips so you might not need to use their services. Have a topic for a future episode? Message us at justgobikepodcast@gmail.com. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

We are rolling way back to the late 1800s on this episode to talk about Kittie Knox, a female African American cyclist who as a teenager took cycling to a new level for both women and women of color. AP digs deep into Kittie’s life and what it was like to be a cyclist in the 1890s. Sources for this episode: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kittie_Knox https://blog.library.si.edu/blog/2020/05/26/breaking-the-cycle-the-kittie-knox-story/ https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-culture/kittie-knox-black-cyclist-activist-who-challenged-race-gender-barriers-1890s https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/road-culture/the-outer-line-the-kittie-knox-award-for-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-in-cycling/ https://www.kx3lifestyleandcoaching.com/blog/the-history-of-women-s-cycling Nelson Vails Episode: https://soundcloud.com/justgobike/episode-214-meet-olympian-medalist-nelson-vails-retired-road-and-track-cyclist Have a topic for a future episode? Message us at justgobikepodcast@gmail.com. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

Coach Ertl is back to talk to us about training for RAGBRAI! NOW is the time to get those training miles in so that you can be in your best shape to tackle the miles, and hills, of Iowa in July. Coach Ertl says preparation is the key…training your body to sit on the saddle for long periods of time, testing out equipment and clothing, and of course dialing in your nutrition are just a few ways to get yourself prepared. And don’t forget to get your bike tuned up! Coach Ertl Training Blogs and Training Plan: https://ragbrai.com/category/ragbrai-training-blog/ Have a topic for a future episode? Message us at justgobikepodcast@gmail.com. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com Get registered for RAGBRAI LI! ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

Will Walker completed his first RAGBRAI in 2023 in a different way than any other cyclist who rode their bicycle across Iowa. Will rode the whole route backwards! And by backwards, we mean he positioned himself so that his bike moved forward but his body was facing backwards. He sat on the handlebars and pedaled this way all 500+ miles!! Many years ago, biking backwards started as a kind of a joke or challenge with his friends and quickly became a way of cycling that is now Will’s normal. All of his rides are pedaled backwards so when he heard about a 7 day ride across Iowa, he didn’t even know what RAGBRAI was but registered immediately with the intention to do all of it backwards. Will, who lives in Alaska, packed his bike and came to Iowa for the first time last July. He found out that the state is definitely not flat and he also found out what Iowa Nice means. With so many supportive and friendly people, RAGBRAI turned out to be an awesome experience for him. He will be back to ride again this year and will be launching Against the Odds Cycling, a line of Backwards Biker merchandise with the intention to give back to others. You can follow Will on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_willxwalker/ Have a topic for a future episode? Message us at justgobikepodcast@gmail.com. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/ Photo credit to Will Walker’s Instagram page

Have you been lucky enough to meet Steve Lawyer and Bebe the Parrot on RAGBRAI? Bebe is a white winged parrot who for the last several years hangs out on Steve’s shoulder while Steve pedals them across Iowa each July, stopping frequently for selfies with riders and time to stretch Bebe's wings. Steve is on the podcast to talk about all things related to Bebe and biking, and what it is like to have a social bird who loves people and wants to go wherever Steve goes. Bebe even speaks up (or is it squawks up?) a few times during the interview, probably to tell us what it is like to be RAGBRAI famous! You can follow Bebe’s adventures on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BebeBirdParrot Have a topic for a future episode? Message us at justgobikepodcast@gmail.com. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/ *Photo credit to Debbie Rodgers Lieber, found on Bebe’s Facebook page

Team RWB is a community of veterans, service members, military families, and supporters, united by teamwork, shared values, and a common goal. They help veterans lead healthier lives through fitness events, training, and programs. Along with many other fitness options, Team RWB has a RAGBRAI team. Todd Cowan and Paul Wade are good friends, bike commuters, and veterans who are part of Team RWB and the bicycle team. They spent some time talking to Murph about the organization along with fun stories about RAGBRAI. Learn more about the Team RWB RAGBRAI team: https://teamrwb.org/ragbrai Todd Cowan’s previous episode: https://soundcloud.com/murphology-podcast/episode-37-team-rwb-veterans-connecting-with-veterans-through-activity RAGBRAI Packing 101 by Team RWB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhqHRNiDBkE Have a topic for a future episode? Message us at justgobikepodcast@gmail.com. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

Ride the Rockies Ride Director Sabra Nagel along with Event Ops Manager Laura Rice are on the podcast to give us a deep dive into Ride the Rockies 2024. This week long bicycling event takes place June 9-15 and goes through the communities of Steamboat Springs, Craig, Meeker, Rangely, and Fruita, covering over 400 miles and 23,000 feet of elevation gain. New this year is a couple of optional gravel days!! Sabra and Laura tell us about these communities along with what riders can expect this year on the ride, including two national monuments! www.ridetherockies.com Episode 287: https://soundcloud.com/justgobike/episode-287-ride-the-rockies-2024-route-and-registration Have a topic for a future episode? Message us at justgobikepodcast@gmail.com. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

The Iowa Bike Expo is a one day event in Des Moines every January. It is run by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition and takes place on the same day that RAGBRAI announces the route. 2024 is also the 20th anniversary for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition so they went all out with over 130 bike-focused vendors, fashion shows, speakers and so much more. Murph walked around and talked with various people about their business, or reason to be at the Iowa Bike Expo. Interviews include: Iowa Bicycle Coalition: Luke Hoffman, Executive Director RAGBRAI: Matt Phippen, Ride Director Primal: Brian Bergeler Iowa Beer Bus: Mike Mott Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival: Brooks Reynolds Velarosa: Kim Carponelli RAGBRAI: Erica Determan Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort: Torie Giffin Hacky Jedi: Dave Wedemeyer The Bike Inn, Bentonville: Jeremy Rose Pork Belly Ventures: Tammy Pavich Urban Bicycle Food Ministry: Sharpe Smith Have a topic for a future episode? Message us at justgobikepodcast@gmail.com. www.ragbrai.com www/iowabikeexpo.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

This week AP and Murph sit down with ride director Matt Phippen to talk about RAGBRAI LI and the 2024 route, along with his process on how to get the route from paper to reality. Matt dives into mileage, elevation and a bit about each of the 8 overnight towns on the RAGBRAI route. The overnight towns for RAGBRAI LI are: Glenwood, Red Oak, Atlantic, Winterset, Knoxville, Ottumwa, Mt Pleasant and Burlington. Registration is open now!! Have a topic for a future episode? Message us at justgobikepodcast@gmail.com. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

January 27, 2024 is the kick-off to all things cycling in Iowa with the huge Iowa Bike Expo followed by the RAGBRAI Route Announcement Party, which is when we learn the overnight towns we will be riding to during RAGBRAI. Both events take place in Des Moines where Murph and AP sit down with ride director Matt Phippen to talk about route planning and the party. Then Murph catches up with Luke Hoffman from the Iowa Bicycle Coalition to talk about the Iowa Bike Expo. www.ragbrai.com www.iowabikeexpo.com www.iowabicyclecoalition.org www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

The 2024 Ride the Rockies route has been announced and registration is open! AP and Murph have a couple of experts on to talk all things Ride the Rockies. Erica and Pete from Ventures Endurance give us some insight into what riders will experience on the ride this year. www.ridetherockies.com www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

On this episode, AP finds a series of articles to read to us, written about Iowa Legend Clarence Pickard. Pickard, from Indianola, rode the first RAGBRAI on a 10-speed women’s Schwinn bicycle. He quickly became RAGBRAI famous, biking across Iowa that first year at age 83 and also due to his bike riding attire: a pith helmet, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers and tennis shoes. In these articles we find out more about the interesting life of Clarence Pickard, and how important his presence was to the future of RAGBRAI. His famous bike was restored by Charlie Harper of Harper’s Cycle & Fitness in Muscatine and is now on display at the Warren County Historical Society Museum. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

On the show today is Daniel Troia, The Travelin Dude. Daniel will be releasing his second film, We Are All in This Together on January 12, 2024. Daniel, who does a lot of long distance bike touring, is also a filmmaker. When Murph previously interviewed Daniel, he had just released his first film called Two Wheels to Freedom which documented his tour from Rome to Amsterdam. His latest film, "We Are All In This Together" is the focus in this interview. In the film, he documents a bike tour across the United States with no money and no food, relying on the kindness of strangers. This film will be streaming on Apple TV, Amazon Prime and Google Play on January 12, 2024. Watch Two Wheels to Freedom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bw-6gYdqNw Listen to Daniel's previous podcast episode: https://soundcloud.com/murphology-podcast/episode-95-daniel-troia-two-wheels-to-freedom Contact Daniel: danieltroia85@gmail.com www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

It is our last episode of the year! Murph & AP are on to do their recap of 2023. We had so many interesting podcast guests throughout the year, and meeting podcast fans out and about at various events was a big highlight! Murph and AP also reflect on some highs and lows, along with a few of their favorite episodes. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/

How old were you when you started biking on a regular basis? Andy Lang got into biking at the age of 63 and he hasn’t looked back. Andy is on the podcast today to talk with Murph about his journey as a cyclist, including a terrible bike crash that happened while on RAGBRAI a few years back. With the help of family, friends and some awesome medical professionals, Andy made a full recovery. He is getting close to 70 years old, and has no plans to hang the bikes up. In addition to RAGBRAI, Andy tells us about some of the rides he has participated in, and why he is called ‘the Legend’! www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/ Episode 248: https://soundcloud.com/justgobike/episode-248-reviewing-our-favorite-bicycle-movies-with-mike-schulte

On this episode Murph explores a few bicycle rides and tours that could be great training rides as you prepare for RAGBRAI LI! Included are BRR, BRAN, BRAG, Ride the Rockies, Tour of the Battenkill and GranGABLE. www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/ Iowa Bike Expo: www.iowabikeexpo.com BRR Ride: https://www.perryia.org/brr.html BRAN: www.bran-inc.org BRAG: www.BRAG.org Ride the Rockies: www.ridetherockies.com Tour of the Battenkill: www.tourofthebattenkill.com GranGABLE: www.grangable.com Ride the Rockies Episode: https://soundcloud.com/justgobike/episode-270-a-look-into-the-future-of-ride-the-rockies Iowa Bicycle Coalition Episode: https://soundcloud.com/justgobike/episode-273-iowa-bicycle-coalitions-new-executive-director-luke-hoffman

Denise Mueller is back on the podcast to tell us about her latest world record. For those that don't know who Denise is, she holds the world record for paced bicycle land speed. On a bicycle she rode 184 MPH!! Recently she broke another record....a team of 5 women including Denise broke the Women’s World Record in human-powered land speed. At their best and highest, they pedaled a 750 pound, 45’ long Sprocket Rocket from 0 up to a speed of 61.94mph! Denise also recaps some of her bike adventures, including the recent Rum Runner Tour, RAGBRAI, and Ride the Rockies…and weighs in on the value of e-bikes. Denise Mueller’s Previous Episode: https://soundcloud.com/justgobike/episode-181-denise-mueller-the-fastest-cyclist-on-earth www.teamsprocketrocket.com www.ragbrai.com www.murphologypodcast.com RAGBRAI LI Registration is open! https://ragbrai.com/ragbrai-li-registration/