RAGBRAI: Riding a bike across Iowa isn't for the sane. Sign me up.

A rider makes their way along RAGBRAI's route on a foggy morning Wednesday, July 28, outside of Emmetsburg, Iowa, on Day 4 of the annual recreational bike ride across the state of Iowa. (Michael Zamora/NPR)

Iowans might be insane.

OK, let me back up. I lived in Iowa for about four years, working as a visual journalist and photo editor at the Des Moines Register. I helped share countless stories about inspiring people and places across the state. Iowans, like most Americans in the communities I've lived in, are overall good people.