ArkyKenny on 11/3/2012 8:06:41 PM:
Too bad about your flats Iowa. But instead of not coming back to the Katy, consider Kevlar tires. Maybe get a bike that will handle wider tires too, or maybe one of these great new gravel grinder bikes. My Salsa Vaya uses 29er wheels with 42c Kevlar touring tires, and I have had 0 flats in about 500 Katy miles this year. The new bike also makes what was already a wonderful thing even better. AND, I cruise fully loaded at 13-14 mph.
Your decision to not come back is no skin off my nose either way, but I've done RAGBRAI (and I'll do it again--I even got my Karras Loop patch this year from Karras himself), but if I had to choose, I'd take a week on the Katy every time over a week in Iowa. Iowa is fun, but the Katy is the Katy!!!!!! AND, I can spend time on the Katy way more often than just the last full week of July.