RAGBRAI Rebuttal - Bet

Howdy Ho Everybodies!

I just thought that I would clarify a little something the Musher posted on her first edition of her Blogging 'bout the Bikes edition of her RAGBRAI adventures.

She said that Shelly RAGBRAI Minion and Helen (back to smelling like cookies) Handler insisted that the Musher needed a bike with a basket for me for next year.

The caption said that we both said "NO" about the baskets.  Well, that is true.  Baskets on the front of the bicycle are NOT satisfactory for my needs.

In the first place, there is no protective cover on them.  The sun would just beat down on my sensitive head and bake me!  Plus, I'd be all in the front of the bike while all manner of icky bugs and pokey pokey beady eyed birds and creatures smacked me right in the face!  These baskets are also very small, and my whole body would get crampy trying to sit in one of those for hours and hours!

No, a basket on the front will not do at all!

I prefer something more roomy, stylish, protective from the sun, elements, and bugs (euw)... something like this:

Check this out!!!  Plenty of room to lounge and relax, covered from the sun and elements, with a nice screen to let the wind ruffle my furs, but keep the icky bugs out!  This particular model not only hooks to the back of a bicycle, but it also doubles as a stroller, so the Musher can roll me out to the dog yard, or out to the truck before our car rides to Starbucks.  I think it is cost effective in that a bike basket can only be used for bike rides, but this little gem has many uses!

Another reason why I didn't join the Musher for RAGBRAI 2013 is because she told me that it was just a bunch of peoples riding their bikes across Iowa.  Um... ok, I'll pass, thank you very much.  There was no mention of the parties, the camping out, the shopping of wonderful ensembles, or the non-stop tasty foodables!  Oh no, there was no mention of this from a certain someone (ahem), otherwise I would have used my savings to purchase the Bet-mobile and gone along.

Not only would I have been a participant, but I would also have served a valuable service to the whole RAGRAI organization!  I heard that sometimes the peoples were confused about where things were and what time they needed to show up, or they couldn't find Mr. Pork Chop.  This is where having a Border Collie would have been invaluable to the organization.

Nothing gets people moving in the right direction like a well trained herdy dog such as myself.  I am fluent in Pretty Curly Tail, cat, baa baa sheepie thing, and human herding, although there is some controversy over the baa baa sheepie thing herding... shut up!

My herdy skills would come in handy especially when foodables were involved, and there would probably be extra points for penning bike riders!

I encourage each of you to insist that for the 2014 RAGBRAI that I be brought in as an executive people herdy consultant.  I will only accept fully paid transportation to and from the event, a free Bet-mobile, and free food throughout for me and my assistant, the Musher.

Get on that peoples!

- Bet

Ragbrai Wrap Up - Traveling to Iowa

After 3180 miles (5118km) of driving and 406 miles (653 km) of pedaling, I arrived back home at the kennel yesterday, just a bit before dinner.

Everyone, except maybe Mark's Stupid Cat, seemed pretty happy to have me back. Especially Bet. She sniffed and danced and sniffed some more (she doesn't give kisses - but she is a very enthusiastic sniffer!). I treated her (and her Dad) to Mushroom Swiss burgers for dinner and Saskatoon berries with ice cream for dessert!!! And yes, there were Saskatoon waffles for breakfast this morning. (Bet meticulously  picked up all her saskatoon berries and just ate the waffles! She makes me laugh!!!)

I took a lot of extra time picking up the dogs' bowls last night. While they are usually laid back and relaxed when I pick up bowls, they danced, chatted and otherwise vied for my attention - which I was happy to give!!!

It is wonderful to be home but it was also a wonderful trip, for which I am so grateful for having experienced!!!

July 18th

I loaded my Highlander up with my bike, a whole bunch of clothes and gear (most of it that I never used)- and Bang, who was moving down to her retirement home with my friends Dan and Heather and headed out.

The first night we stayed with my friends Colleen, Twizzler and Sparky in Regina. We had a short, but really enjoyable visit.

I have to tell my Bang story from that night...


Bang bopped around the house and yard while Colleen and I ate pizza and caught up with each other. When it came time for bed, Colleen insisted that Bang, who had claimed a cozy corner of the kitchen and was sleeping soundly there, would be fine loose in the house. I was doubtful, but Colleen was insistent - and since I was sleeping in the basement, any disturbance would likely bother Colleen more than me!

Around 3am a white shadow crept into my room. She had sought me out in the basement and curled up on the floor at the end of the bed to sleep. Just before 5 am she worked up the courage to jump onto the bed, stretched out her body against the length of mine, claimed half of my pillow and went to sleep.

It was a lovely way to spend my last evening with my friend and former teammate.

Folks often ask how I can part with dogs. I will admit that it is never easy, but when it comes to my dogs, I am interested in the RIGHT decisions, not the easy ones. This retirement home is definitely the RIGHT one for Bang. (Dan and Heather have reported that she is settling in wonderfully!)

The next AM we loaded up, swung by a Timmie's and then headed for Iowa.

It turned out to be a long and not particularly interesting drive. Since it was so long, I didn't do a lot of stopping - just gas, coffee and a few breaks for Bang.

I arrived in Glenwood, Iowa about 11pm and despite the late hour, was warmly greeted by Shelly, Helen, Dan and Heather. We visited for a bit, planned out the next day and I turned Bang over to her new family before we all collapsed into sleep!

Saturday was hectic!!! After securing a camping spot for the night (next to a pretty amazing man named Gay, who biked FROM VIRGINIA to Iowa - "How long did that take?", I asked. "Thirty five days", he casually replied!!! Way cool! LOVE IT!!!) and getting our tent put up, we headed down to Omaha for my Tales of the Trail presentation.

The presentation, hosted by Taysia Blue Siberian Husky Rescue, went really well. Great crowd and got to put lots of names to faces, which is always wonderful!

Bang and her new family came out to watch - and it was nice to see how quickly she was adjusting to her new life of luxury (also got to visit with Casey, another one of the now 4 NorthWapiti dogs living with Heather and Dan!)

After the presentation and some pizza, Shelly, Helen and I headed off to do some food shopping and get final preparations ready for the morning.

Just a small part of the Council Bluffs Ragbrai Campground!

Once those were done we biked down to the Missouri River to dip our rear tires into the water. A true Ragbrai tradition!!!

Tire dipping!

The whole Winter Chicks team - Shelly Lewis, Helen Thorgalsen and me!

After biking back we hit the bike and food vendors, finding some dinner and a bit of last minute 'kit' for the next week!!!

The girls thought I needed one of these for Bet next year. Bet and I vote NO!!!

As we were settling in for the night I could hear a sound from the trees that I was completely unfamiliar with. I asked Shelly what it was. She listened for a moment and said "A plane". Yeah, yeah....I'm not THAT much of a hick....I know a plane....the humming??? "Oh", she replied, "those are locust." It is a sound that she is so familar with, she doesn't much even hear anymore - but for me, along with the sound of fast rolling wheels on asphalt, and the unclicking/clicking in of bike pedals, it would become the 'song' of Ragbrai.

Locust sounds - click on 'locust 2'

RAGBRAI Day 5 - Bet

Howdy Ho Everybodies!

Once again, the Winter Chicks were pedaling their way across the great big ol state of Iowa.

Yesterday they got to spend some time with Shelly RAGBRAI Minion doing more shopping, eating, shopping, some eating, and relaxing.

The Musher telling Shelly how wonderful I am

Bright and early this morning, they set off for their next town

I told the Musher before they left that they better tighten their Oskas because where they were heading....

Anyhoo, it was a beautiful morning

The Musher was able to find a cool place to stop and take a scenic picture

When they got to Oskaloosa, they were easily able to navigate to the Winter Chicks Coop because of Shelly's awesome sign placement.  Apparently the British Broadcasting Corporation needed to  stop and turn around... perhaps they were riding on the wrong side of the road (hehehe, Richard will get that).

They found that their trusty Sag Wagon RAGBRAI minion had set up the Winter Chick Coop and had everything ready for them... Thank you for taking such good care of my Musher and Helen (smells of sno cones and ice cream) Handler.

The Musher was able to get some lounging time on a more comfortable seat

Some eagle eyed Facebooks fans noticed the dog tracks on her leg and wondered if the Musher was now going to get a bicycle tattoo...

The Musher kindly pointed out that she had lovely bicycle chain tattoos already, but they are not permanent, thankfully.

Although the trip so far has been pretty and shiny and warm and glowing and beautiful... the weather report says that it may get really stormy stormy tonight with hail and winds, and raining tomorrow on their trip to the next town.

Let's all cross our fingers... and paws, and hope the stormy storms aren't bad and the rain goes away for yet another nice bike ride for the Musher and Helen (who would smell of soggy cookies) Handler tomorrow!

- Bet

So What the Heck is RAGBRAI? - Bet

Howdy Ho Everybodies!

The Musher has arrived in the BEAUtiful state of Iowa and will be getting acclimated to the weather today, checking out her trusty bicycle, and hanging out with her "Sag Wagon" driver, Ms. Shelly Lewis!

Today the Musher will also be in Omaha doing one of her very popular Tales of the Trails talk to a biggie big group of fans.

If you are in Omaha, NE, stop in to give it a listen and meet the Musher!  For details, just go to our events page and find out where and when and how and all that stuffs and things.

After that, the Musher and Shelly will meet up with Helen (smells of cookies) Handler, who has traveled from the East Coast to also ride in RAGBRAI!

So, what the heck is RAGBRAI?  I realize that all of you peoples are familiar with mushing, mushers, Pretty Curly Tails, Gee, Haw, On By and all that stuffs and things... but what is all this hot weather riding a bicycle across a whole statey state thing?

Well, its a really cool tradition that the pretty state of Iowa has been doing for FORTY YEARS!!!  Yep, for forty years peoples have been riding their bicycles across the entire state of Iowa, having a good time, meeting new friends, eating new tasty, tasty foods, enjoying the local scenery and just having a good time with a bunch of other peoples that like having a good time.

So, check out this video and find out about it, and then get back to me... I'll sit here and wait.





Cool, eh?  I think it is.  Next year (if there is a next year for the Musher) maybe I will ask her to put a little basket on the front of the bicycle so I can ride with her... or run behind her... or maybe just Skype with her when she makes it back to civilization and just wear a t-shirt that she brings back that says I did RAGBRAI but really didn't, but don't tell anybodies that I didn't, ok?

Anyhoo!  So what are we going to be doing while the Musher rides her way across a state?  Well, just like the Iditarod, we will be following her adventures, cheering her on, and maybe even give out some cool prizes and goodies for peoples when we have some contests to make sure you are paying attention to everythings... and stuffs.

We'll be posting updates, pictures, and stuffs (and things) on the Facebooks at the official North Wapiti page 

Our Facebooks postings are automatically tweeted to the twitters, and honestly I forgot what our twitter handle is, probably @NorthWapiti but don't quote me on that... just do a search or something.

We'll be doing wrap ups of events and posting more stuffs and things on this very bloggity blog thingie.


You can follow the official RAGBRAI Web Site

You can follow the official RAGBRAI Facebook page

You can follow RAGBRAI on the Twitters by the #RAGBRAI hashtag

We will also be posting updates, goodies, donation prizes and stuffs on our GoFundMe page.  Remember, the Musher is suffering for 440 miles and risking certain seat issues to help raise money to run the 2014 Iditarod... her LAST run for the burled arch... so show her some love and get up there and get some goodies!!



- Bet

RAGBRAI Training Continues - Bet

As the Musher opined in her radio broadcast the other day, her biggest concern was the heat.

We've had some pretty glorious days here at North Wapiti, all nice and cool and comfy, perfect sleepy and napping weather during the nights, and just warm enough to feel a little bit of the sun's warmth on you, and squishing the sand between your crampy toes... just glorious.

Apparently not good training weather for the Musher.  I just checked the googles and the weather for that raggedy bike ride is predicted to be in the high 80's almost 90 (Fahrenheit) with high humidity, so it'll feel like 4,786 degrees... or something.

Since I'm her official trainer, and since she did have concerns about doing some conditioning for the heat, the most obvious decision was to try to recreate the conditions in Iowa... so....

Sure, she's getting some strange looks, but no more stranger than she usually gets.

As an added bonus, here is the 360 degree view of North Wapiti for your viewing pleasure.



- Bet

Musher on the Radio - Bet

Howdy Ho Everybodies!!!

The Musher was interviewed by two very nice radio guys in Iowa about her raggedy... I mean RAGBRAI bicycling thingamajig she's doing next week!

Steve and Dan from WOC 1420 in Davenport, Iowa gave the Musher a call the other day and talked to her about her plans to ride all the way across the nice state of Iowa, and how that was a bit different than mushing with the Pretty Curly Tails.

 Please note how impressed they are of me, your Roving Border Collie Reporter at the end of the interview... ahem... just sayin.

Here's the linky!!!!!  Please share it on the Facebooks and then stop by the station's Facebooks and tell them how much you enjoyed it!

Click here to listen to the Musher Interview!

Ragbrai

Bet has given you her 'take' on Ragbrai, so I thought it was time you heard things from my perspective.

Late last year NorthWapiti fan Shelly Lewis emailed me. "I've noticed you are doing a lot of biking these days". She asked if I was familiar with 'Ragbrai' and maybe I would be willing to come out to Nebraska, do a talk for a rescue group that way and then ride the event.
I'd never heard of the ride, but a quick Google search, a visit to www.ragbrai.com, and my interest was seriously piqued!!

Over the next few months we spoke a few times and a plan began to form. By the time winter was in full swing I was pretty much committed to the idea of riding 400+ mile across the state of Iowa but I don't think I had really wrapped my head round and heart into it.

Then the final day of the Canadian Challenge race rolled around. As some might recall, I left the last checkpoint in 2nd place, but with a serious challenge close behind me. I pedaled and poled the 50 miles to the finish line looking over my shoulder every few minutes. Sometime during that run with sweat dripping down the back of my SkookumBrand anorak, I vowed that if I got second place, I would take some of the generous prize money and buy myself a road bike and commit seriously to riding Ragbrai.

I was unaware that Jillian ended up turning around part way through her run, returning to the checkpoint and scratching so second place, and Ragbrai, was a done deal.

With a bit of help from my 'biking guru' before he headed back to England and a nice stumble into a great deal (needing a less then 'standard' size can be a curse or a blessing!), a road bike was sitting waiting for me when I got back from judging on Iditarod...

My Specialized Tamrac Elite - a 'gift' from my dogs!

....and training began.

The comment has been made to me many times in the last 3 months that traveling with an animal is a better method of transport than a bike - and don't get me wrong - my passion for animal-assisted travel is still as strong as ever. Traveling with my dogs or a horse will always be the biggest passion in my life but let me bare my soul a bit.

This was me a few years ago -

This is me today -

Yup, I know, the hair is WAY different....well, that and the 80lbs.

More than the difference in how I look though, is the difference in how I feel.

When I was heavy folks still had trouble keeping up with me on a day-to-day basis and I could push through a fair amount of physical stuff others couldn't - but NEVER could I have imagined or accomplished riding a bike 20 or 30 miles - let alone 400 miles. I hurt and was exhausted at the end of a day.

Yesterday I rode 60 miles. It took me, breaks included and riding into a nasty headwind for 25 miles, about 4 1/2 hours. I came home, cooked dinner, did chores, and then lit a fire in the firepit. This morning I didn't crawl out of bed - I feel great and am debating a route to ride this afternoon (if the predicted rain holds off).

Animal-assisted transport is amazing. To connect and cooperate with another species is really soul stirring. It will NEVER get old for me...

...but to go down a trail powered only by your own legs, lungs and heart....my legs, lungs, and heart....that is something too.

So, I'm riding Ragbrai to celebrate my body. It's still far from perfect - and even far from where I want it to be - but it is capable - and with every pedal stroke, I will be proud of it.

Oh yeah....and I'm also riding Ragbrai for the food and drink....some things never do change, you know!!!

Excuse me? - Bet

Peoples, peoples, peoples....

I've been around for a while, and I thought I have seen everything, but clearly I have not.

When I came to my home here at North Wapiti, I was told to expect the unexpected, and I'm fine with that, as long as nobodies touches my fashionable ensembles (that means you little miss Rocket).

I'm ok with cats that think they are Pumas, and Cricket who thinks she's a tank, and herding Pretty Curly Tails, and handlers coming and going and coming and going, and coming and going, and Musher Mark's snoring, and all of that... but this....

The Musher pronounced that she's going to ride the raggedy bra!

"Excuse me?"

"It's a bike ride across the state of Iowa and it's called the raggedy bra.  I'll have sag wagon following me", she says.

I stare at her... "seriously?"

"Yes", she says.  She even looks a bit miffed that my mouth is open and my eyes are a bit glazed. "Thousands of people do it every year, it's a big event with lots of events and parties and everyone has a great time!"

"Um, well, I guess they would have a great time with thousands of raggedy bra peoples riding across a whole state with saggy wagons following them."

"Ok", I ask her cautiously.  "Do you have one picked out?"

"One what?"  She asks impatiently.

"A raggedy bra, of course" (duh)  I fetch the one I think is most appropriate, because, seriously, if ever there was a raggedy bra, the one in her back drawer fits that bill.

"NO!!!! Not raggedy bra, it's RAGBRAI!  That stands for The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa!  The support people drive cars and their nickname is Sag Wagons!"

"Oh!  Well, that's a relief!  I guess that's not so crazy after all... never mind"

- Bet

Iditarod 2014, Let's Get Ready! - Bet

Howdy Ho Everybodies!

We've been busy, busy, busy here at North Wapiti scheming and planning, plotting, and meeting, confabbing, coordinating, and thinking outside of the box.... well, we threw Bait inside the box because he's annoying.

Anyhooooo!

We are pleased to announce that Team North Wapiti Kennels will be racing in the 2014 Iditarod!!!!

I'll hang out here until you are done cheering and dancing.


Done?















Ok, now you all better sit down... because the 2014 Iditarod will be the LAST Iditarod for Team North Wapiti Kennels.

I'll hang out while you totally freak out.

Done?

How about now?

Ok, seriously, stop fretting, keening, and rocking back and forth.  Just because it will be the last Iditarod that doesn't mean that's the end end of things and stuffs! 

There will be plenty of new stuffs and things going on.  For instance, we'll be chaining the Musher to a desk and forcing her to write a book or two, and there's always the continuing adventures of the Pretty Sled Dogs, maybe some shorter fun races here and there, but oodles and oodles of things that will be happening, so it's not like we're just going to go away and disappear or something.

It's like they say "when one door opens... bugs usually fly in until you open another door and more bugs fly in..." or something inspiring like that.

Since this is the LAST Iditarod (ok, seriously people, stop wailing I can't hear myself think) we're starting our 2014 Iditarod Fundraising a bit earlier than usual.  We want to make sure that the Musher and Pretty Curly Tails have everything they need to get there, race there, and get back.  We also want to involve all of our wonderfulistic, awesomely fantastical fans (you) as much as possible.  After all, you are all a part of North Wapiti Kennels too!

We're doing things a tiny bit different this year.

We have already opened up the "Karen Ramstead's Last Iditarod" GoFundMe page.

This is the officially official fundraising page for Team North Wapiti.  They won't let us link it to our fan page because they insist that only real peoples can link their facebook page and it's all very complicated, so we didn't, but it is the officially official page that we set up, so let other peoples know that.

We will be using the "Karen Ramstead's Last Iditarod" GoFundMe page to post different types of sponsorship and fund raising stuffs and things up until the start of the Iditarod.

PLEASE NOTE!!!! The dog sponsorship stuff will be done like we've always done it!  Heather Minion will be contacting each and every past sponsor to see if you want to sponsor again!

As you can see from the page, we put the higher end sponsorship stuffs on there along with two smaller ones.

You may be saying... "what the heck is a WC Hat and WC water bottle?"

I'm glad you asked, because it is our first fundraising fun thing with gifts!!!!

The Pretty Curly Tails dared the Musher to do the RAGBRAI,  and she has accepted the challenge.  The The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) is ... annual, and peoples ride bicycles across the state, all 440 miles of it.

The Musher's team is Winter Chicks!  Here is her RAGBRAI logo for the event designed by the fantabulous Tom Marple!

If you donate $20, you will get this AWESOMELY COOL Winter Chicks collapsible water pouch with the Winter Chicks logo on it (this is a composite picture)

If you donate $40, you will get this EVEN MORE AWESOMELY COOL Winter Chicks hat!!

If you want to donate more, there's a link for that and just let us know if you want the water bottle or the hat, we're cool like that.

This Winter Chicks RAGBRAI fundraiser toward 2014 Iditarod expenses is open ONLY UNTIL THE START OF RAGBRAI, so you have until 21 July 2013 to get your official RAGBRAI logo stuffs.

Once you have your RAGBRAI swag, then all that's left is to sit back while we track the Musher through the state of Iowa, so get up there and get it!

- Bet