Thomas Guadalupe,a 25-year-old from Clayton,North Carolina,is making his RAGBRAI debut with a unique addition too his gear: fishing rods. the extra equipment, alongside his usual luggage, has garnered attention from fellow riders.
Guadalupe, who prefers freshwater fishing over saltwater, sees RAGBRAI as an ideal opportunity to indulge his passion. “My family, they’re mostly hunters, but I like fishing a little bit more,” he stated. “I prefer it, and I like freshwater over saltwater.”
the Iowa great Lakes region, known for its freshwater bodies, is a popular summer destination for outdoor enthusiasts. RAGBRAI 52 will pass by Lake Okoboji, offering glimpses of the lake as riders depart Milford on Monday morning. For participants like Guadalupe, numerous fishing spots are accessible along the route.
Guadalupe’s interest in RAGBRAI was sparked during a 2021 cross-country trip through Iowa, where he saw the potential to combine his cycling and fishing interests. He plans to potentially fish in the Iowa River in Iowa Falls on Wednesday (Day 4) and the Cedar River in Cedar Falls on Thursday (Day 5). Additionally, as RAGBRAI ventures into Minnesota for the first time on Monday, guadalupe is considering fishing in Pearl and Loon lakes within Jackson county’s Brown Park.
He expressed enthusiasm for Minnesota’s fishing opportunities, noting its abundance of lakes. “they’ve got more water in Minnesota,” Guadalupe commented. “It’s cool that they’re adding it in.”
Philip Joens is participating in his 20th RAGBRAI and has completed the ride eight times. He covers retail and real estate for the Des Moines Register.