Ask Axios: Why can't RAGBRAI be held in cooler months?

• Summer is peak construction season and the plastic water bottle usage "is obscene," he says.

State of play: Holding the ride when public schools are still in session would make the event almost impossible to plan, Anne Lawrie, director of RAGBRAI's cycling division, tells Axios.

• The event leans heavily on educational facilities, students and staff in hosting or providing rider services.
• And increased activity around school drop off sites would be difficult to safely manage during class times, she adds.

The bottom line: You're gonna keep sweatin', Eric.

Editor's note: This story first appeared in the Axios Des Moines newsletter.