At the end of last year, I made the decision to sign up for my first RAGBRAI. At that point, I had a refurbished 90s Trek bike that didn’t really fit and rarely biked outdoors. My longest ride outdoors was 20 miles, but I said yes and started making a plan so I could ride 500 miles across Iowa in a week. I had a goal and when there is a will, there is a way. This past Saturday, I biked 45 miles!
First, I needed to start riding indoors since it was winter. I started Power Zone training for endurance on my indoor bike, joined a challenge to keep me engaged, and began building up my indoor mileage. For some, riding indoors is terrible, but I have been an avid indoor spinner since 2017.
Eventually, the weather got better and it was time to get a real road bike that fit. It then snowed some more, so it lived in the garage while I kept up my indoor training.
Spring came and I was ready for my first real outdoors ride on my new bike, with clips, and a snazzy new bike kit. I didn’t know how it would go, if my training had been enough, and if I had gotten my bad hip and back to a place where I would be pain free. (I had back surgery in 2020 and in 2022 did more PT for my hip that had been impacted.) The ride went so well, I convinced my spouse to do the Great Western trail on Saturday, of which we completed 45 miles.
When we hit a goal, sometimes it’s easy to brush off the hard work we put into it. In reality, I’ve put in 700+ miles of riding (mostly indoor) this year alone to prepare for RAGBRAI. It will continue to take deep commitment and consistency to get to the ultimate goal of 500 miles over 7 days.
I think of the work we do at Iowa IPL in the same way. In a season of transition and growth, our new team has put in the work and are starting to shine in big ways (like a surprise 45 mile ride). Our communications and development work has taken off in new ways; Our policy and advocacy work is deepening in ways it hasn’t been able to before; Faith Farms & Climate has had a successful year in SW Iowa; and that’s with all of our staff having had less than a year with Iowa IPL.
of the Great Western Trail
Imagine what we can do in another year, or even just a few months?
Iowa IPL continues to provide consistent faith-rooted climate action in our state and the fruits of our labor are starting to shine. Yet, we cannot do it alone. Iowa IPL cannot do our work without your consistent support showing up for events, signing onto action alerts, sharing our social media posts, referring friends to participate in Faith Farms & Climate, and giving generously through donations.
Solving the climate crisis takes time, a lot of faith, big goals, consistent action, and dedication. Just like training for a long bike ride, Iowa IPL is doing the same thing for climate action. Thank you for joining us on this journey.