Flattest ride ever

That's how organizers are promoting the 35th edition of the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) 2007.

"It's the flattest RAGBRAI ever," said ride host Brian Duffy of this year's 478-mile trek across the northern third of the state, scheduled for July 22-28.

That's a welcome assessment for those of us who struggled with portions of the 2006 ride. Now if they could only control the heat, humidity and headwinds.

The ride will roll from west to east through these overnight towns: Rock Rapids (July 21, on the eve of the ride), Spencer (July 22), Humboldt (July 23), Hampton (July 24), Cedar Falls (July 25), Independence (July 26), Dyersville (July 27) and Bellevue (July 28).

As musician/poet Bruce Springsteen crooned in "For You," "they're waiting for you at Bellevue, with their oxygen masks."

The first glimpse of the route shows riders staying in overnight towns with landmarks including Dyersville's Field of Dreams and the University of Northern Iowa Dome in Cedar Falls. Other towns the ride will pass through and the complete route will be announced on March 5.

This year's ride has additional allure due to cycling star and cancer research activist Lance Armstrong's pledge to ride the entire route.

Meanwhile, plans are coming together for Team CoeBRAI, with fees for participation set at $300. Of this, $150 is due March 1 along with a completed entry form and signed waiver. The remaining $150 will be due July 1.

The fee includes the official $125 RAGBRAI entry fee, a Team CoeBRAI jersey and license plate, bus transportation from Cedar Rapids to Rock Rapids on July 21 and Bellevue to Cedar Rapids on July 28, gear transport to each overnight stop, and snacks and non-alcoholic beverages at each overnight stop. This does not include meals, unfortunately, except for dinner at a Coe alumni gathering somewhere along the route.

And they're waiting for you at Bellevue, with their oxygen masks.