Pugh News: Mom taught us to Read, Write, and Ride

I have always enjoyed riding a bike. My dad bought me my first 10-speed (wow that's sounds archaic) when I was in junior high. And for many years when my kids were little I would tool around on my mom's old 3-speed. And then one day some friends of ours(Pearsons) came riding by all decked out in their biking gear....and that's when I knew I wanted to ride a really nice bike. I purchased my hybrid in 2005. I learned quickly that I really didn't know how to ride a bike.... well, long distance...and that I was really, really out of shape.

At the time, we were living out behind the campground at Pammel Park which is up on a hill. And if I left the park I had to pedal up quite a few hills to get anywhere and then pedal uphill to get home. Well, my first trip out I made it half way up the first hill, turned around, and walked up the second hill to get home. Not a successful adventure. But from there on out I was able to gage my progress by how much farther I could successfully get from home and back.

I continued on....and started to learn a lot about equipment. I bought the black shorts that made my legs look like black sausages and had my bike professionally fit to me. I added the special shoes, gloves, pedals, mirrors, computer...and I kept on pedaling. I will never forget turning over my first 1,000 miles on that bike. My bike changed me..physically and mentally.

In January of 2007..without telling anyone... I signed up for RAGBRAI. I had no idea how I was going to do it. I just knew that if I could ride my bike across the state of Iowa in one week...I could do anything. I think Eric wondered what I was thinking..but he was in support. He drove me, my army duffle, and my bike to Rock Rapids that July..did SAG for me for the first day... and then left me. And from there on out it was me, my bike, my tent, and 10,000 other RAGBRAI riders. I figured out each day and pedaled and pedaled occasionally giving Eric updates. I can't tell you what it felt like to tick off each mile..and then each day. I was more hot and more sweaty and more dirty than I had ever been in my life. And on Saturday...as I neared the last few miles I found myself incredibly emotional as I came over the top of the largest downhill I had ever ridden. My heart was pounding and as I descended into the Mississippi river valley, at a speed of about 32 mph, I felt a rush like no other. There was a young kid to the left of me heading down the hill and we both whooped when we reached the bottom. I asked him how old he was and he said 14. He asked me if this was my first RAGBRAI. I said yes. He said it was his third. And as we came into Bellevue he said, "Congratulations on finishing your first RAGBRAI". He knew what I was feeling...there is a rush like no other. Eric, Logan, Laramy, and Ayden were waiting for me at the end with a huge sign signed by all of them and all of my friends. Pretty cool...a moment I will not forget. That RAGBRAI was a journey of 589.1 miles in all.

We are one week away from leaving for RAGBRAI XL. This is RAGBRAI's 40th anniversary. This will be my sixth year...and Ayden's fifth. Ayden bought his first bike when he was nine and has been riding with me ever since. He has been a great riding partner. He completed his first RAGBRAI at the age of 11. Last year we both bought lighter, faster road bikes. And I fixed up my hybrid for Eric to ride when he returned from Afghanistan. My hybrid has well over 6,000 miles on it now. They told me when I bought it that it would last me for the rest of my riding years.... little did they know!

Brady, Eric, and Laramy all purchased bikes this year. And this RAGBRAI....all five of us are riding! Brenden is our SAG driver. I can't tell you how excited I am. We have all been training and Team Pugh University is ready to ride!

There is always room for one more on Team PUgh University..we hope we keep growing and we hope we keep inspiring people to choose something to accomplish.