REGBRAI 2008

I just returned from REGBRAI and all I have to say is: I love Iowa!

Can you imagine Minnesota hosting an event were 20,000+ people take over the roads and every town along the way for a week and the community welcomes them with open arms? I’m just amazed. Everyone of our hosts (including the neighbors) were so excited to have a team at their place and would open their doors for whatever you needed like letting us pitch tents in their backyards, use their bathrooms, shower, use their towels (if needed), even sometimes make us dinner.

REGBRAI is very much a cultural event. You forget about everything, worry about nothing, and just live in the moment—we will get there, you will have fun, we will eventually find the rest of the team. The first half of the first day was realizing this concept and just letting go.

The people you meet along the way or on your team really shows no matter who they are or what their profession is, at the core we are all the same. Some took the experience to a different level…but it’s up to the individual to set their own ethical behavior. It’s always fun to meet someone there, form an opinion about them based on your first impression (which is never good) and then realize that they are totally the opposite. The creativity of an individual or team is by far the best! You need to be there to see it.

The team dynamics was fun to experience. We instantly became a frat house; Inside jokes, one liners, and camaraderie between each other started as soon as the bus showed up on the first day. With 15+ people it was amazing how arguments and disagreements never occurred.

Now it’s time to get back to reality (deadlines and responsibilities). The longer you’re there the longer it takes to get back to normal. They call it the “REGBRAI Blues”.