RAGBRAI Riders Begin Challenging Trek: Cycling while drunk

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa -- Thousands of bicyclists hit the bars late Saturday for the start of the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. The first-day course will take them thru 16 taverns from Council Bluffs to Red Oak.

Riders said RAGBRAI gives them a chance to escape reality for a few days. "I'll come home, nurse the hangover for a week before I go back to doing Jägerbombs," said Tipsi McCrunk.

"We're all just alcoholics this week and having a ...belch... good time," said Benjamin Bottomsup, who just checked out of Broadlawns detox to take part in the ride.

Participants were calling the course one of the toughest in years with the inclusion of Chills N' Thrills in Ottumwa. For P.B. Arrdd, it will be the latest in a series of challenges. "The interesting thing of this ride is that I just finished off a week-long kegger in Vegas, and I still can't remember where I left my bike," Arrdd said.

Arrdd and his drinking partner, Ralf Scheissegesicht, who also had misplaced a bike, said they're ready for the challenge. "We ride, but not much," Scheissegesicht said. "We don't just drink," stated Arrdd. "We heard the southern route this year is going to be gnarly. It's like what little meth lab or patch of ditchweed are you gonna find over the next hill?"

After hearing about RAGBRAI for years, the two finally made the trip from the West Coast, hoping to explore everything Iowa has to offer. "I just want to see the countryside. I want to see the state," Arrdd said. "I think I'm looking forward to peeing all over everything here."

"Small-town Americana, we want a piece of it," mused Scheissegesicht. "A sweet piece of corn-fed ass."

The 472-mile binge ends in Burlington next Sunday.