Man 'ruffing' RAGBRAI by carrying canine friend on back on hilliest-ever route

MELCHER-DALLAS — For John Chemycz, the 'ruffest' part of RAGBRAI is what rides on his back.

Chemycz, 46, of San Antonio, Texas, and his dog, Mickey, are on their first RAGBRAI together, though it's the second for Mickey's human: Chemycz rode last year with his wife. When his wife declined to ride this year Chemycz decided to take Mickey, their 3-year-old Jack Russell terrier, in a backpack, wearing a helmet and aviator goggles.

"She said 'You can do it, but you've got to bring a friend,'" Chemycz said. When his friends also declined, he looked to his furry friend.

As Chemycz rode up a steep hill between Lacona and Melcher-Dallas on Wednesday, Mickey sat calmly in the sack on his owner's back, turning his head to look ahead. On the descent, Mickey crouched his head slightly as Chemycz leaned forward on his handlebars and they hit more than 30 mph.

The process of getting Mickey to stay in the backpack was gradual.

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"That kind of freaked him out the first time," Chemycz said. "Then we went on our first bike ride and he associated a bike ride to the backpack. So it was too easy."

The next step was getting Mickey to wear the goggles and helmet. Mickey tolerates them while riding in the bag. But once Chemycz sets the bag down Mickey paws them off. When Chemycz stops, Mickey attracts a crowd who realize a dog is in the backpack.

They carry their own gear on Chemycz's bike. Mickey has a water bottle in his bag. But he hated the kibble Chemycz packed, so they split meals.

Chemycz wants to ride RAGBRAI again, but said by the end of the day he is sore from lugging his buddy around on the hilliest ride on record.

"At the end of the day I feel it, especially going up the hills," Chemycz said.

Philip Joens is riding his 19th RAGBRAI. He has completed the river-to-river trek seven times. He covers retail and real estate for the Des Moines Register and can be reached at 515-284-8184 at pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Man 'ruffing' RAGBRAI by carrying canine friend on back on hilliest-ever route