A few folks form Ames did some early RAGBRAI's. In 1978 they decided to car-pool out for the ride. Needing a name for this new group, Team Skunk was decided upon. The next year a few more friends joined them and soon the team was a car-pool that got out of hand. Today Team Skunk has up to 120 full week riders on RAGBRAI plus a few more who only do part of the week. Almost everyone has some connection back to Ames, they went to school here, live or lived here, are related to someone who did and is a veteran menber, or has some kind of other connection to a veteran member (aka an old Skunk)
We also do other group rides during the year, at leat one a month for the 3 or 4 months before the big one and uslally one the first weekend of October. Often the fall ride is on the Root River Trail in southeast Minnesota.
Team colors - glorious black and white.
Team motto - Motto? We don't need no stinkin' motto!
RAGBRAI  - We charter 2 busses (Hopefully with AC )to take us out and pick us up. Also 2 24 foot truck to haul the bikes out and home. During the week of the ride we have one 24 foot truck to haul luggage and at least one other truck/van. Snacks, beverages, and chairs provided under the canopy each day, please share, remember these are just snacks and don't replace a meal. We try to stay outside of the main campground. Volunteer campsit coordinators make arrangements ahead of the ride with either the city or a local contact for arrangements. If no one steps up, we stay in the main camp with 7-8,000 of our closest friends. (and the probably will be close, it seems they always under estimate how much room all those tents will take up). If you didn't like the arrangements for a town last year, just don't whine about it, volunteer to take on a town next year.
Whining? did someone mention whining? theres a fine line between just commenting and whining, sometimes finer that you think. There will be one or more Whiner awards flosting around. Funny how it always starts out more...
Sagging - Don't plan on it. We really don't have the space to do it unless it is really really necessary.
Mechanics - Once again we will have one with us, RAGBRAI also has many at the expo area.
Initiation - Held in the starting town on Saturday afternoon before RAGBRAI, It involves all the virgin members ( members who have not completed a week of the ride with the team)  and INFORMATION BLOCKED!