I usually wait until the day after to write my journals, but I have nothing else to do tonight. Here is why:
I had planned a completely different journal article for Stage 4 but this was too good to pass up. For those people who think I am crazy for riding my bike as far as I do, you are right. I did volunteer for this! Not only that but I talked my Dad, Cole, and Ross into coming with me. Hotels for me from here on out.
(I have my bag completely packed, my rain gear on, and my light ready if I need to run outside. How is that for a sexy shot?)
Here is what our day was like (via text messages to Jeri, Mom, Cole, and Ross)
Jeff: 8:30am and 30 miles done. Just over 50 to go. Feeling a little sluggish today. More later. Love you!
Jeri: Been thinking about you guys and praying for you. Hope things continue to go well! Love you all tons!
Ross: Sorry about you feeling sluggish!! Sure love you!
Jeff: 43 miles done. Gonna be slow from here. Strong head wind!
Ross: Sorry to hear that!!
Jeri: Im thinking about you guys and praying for you this morning! Hang in there!!!
Mom: Keep on keeping on …wow! You guys are amazing! How many miles to go today!
Jeri: Karen, i think Jeff told me last nite it was 88 with 2000 ft of climbing
Jeff: 60 miles done. 21 to go. We are taking a little nap. Drinking a lot. We’ve eaten a ton and are about taped out of anything but water. Wind is keeping it cooler but only going about 8mph. Some people will be on the course 14 hours. Not us. We should be done by 5. R&C – put up any tent Brian or Kim say is ok. People are going to be whipped.
Ross: Robert took Cole and I to the movies! Hope you guys are doing okay! You guys are amazing! Love you!
Ross: We are going to start setting up tents as soon as we get back!! How are you feeling?
Ross: Nevermind! Movie started, and my phones dieing. Just wanted to see how your ride was. Sure love you and keep pushing!!! You guys are incredible!
Jeri: Wow! Tough day!!! Love you guys!!!!
Jeff: 71 miles done. We stopped to rest at a cemetery. Guy here is serving lime flavored water. Hope R&C are having a good time at the movies! Haha It is only 103 out here today.
Mom: G
Jeri: Oh man i am so proud of you guys an thankful for generous ppl with lime water!!!!
Mom: Thanks for the update! They really mean a lot! Loretta and I are sitting on the edge of our seats waiting to hear that you are in!! Love you!
Jeff: We are done and safe for today. 83 miles and just over 7 hours on the bike. C&R had all the tents set up when we got in! Lady next to our camp site offered to spray us down with cold water. No one turned her down.
Tomorrow we get up and do it again.
(No Larry is not dead yet. Only wishes he was.)
Officially RAGBRAI is the Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. This year it is RAGBRAI XL (40th year not extra large). This does not even come close to explaining the event.
Let me try this. There are 10,000 official daily riders and anywhere from 5-10,000 pirate riders (people who ride but are not registered.) Both mornings we have been on the road by 6:30 am and there are thousands of riders ahead of us. We are never alone. The roads are not officially closed but there is no way a car can ride in either direction – all day! They cannot even cross the street. If you drop something while riding, it is gone forever. There is no way to stop, go back, and walk into the street. It is awesome.
We do not have to worry about speed because the entire group cannot go much faster than 13-15 mph. Some do go a lot faster but they are crazy. If they don’t kill themselves they could hurt someone else.
We also do not need worry about food or water. There are stands every 3-5 miles. The big food here is Pork Chops. Mr Pork Chop is a legend. We stopped today and had one. Fantastic! We chased this with a slice of Rhubarb pie. All at about 11am after a breakfast taco at 7am, a hamburger at 10am, and a cliff shot and a dozen electrolyte tablets.
Camping is beyond description. There are tents and RVs everywhere they can be set up. If the city was a clock, then it would be 10 MILES in diameter. Almost every piece of grass is being used. There are so many people in these little towns that the cell towers are worthless. Data and voice are completely overwhelmed. (I found a book store to post my first two journals.)
The registration cost of the event is only about $75. Everyone pays as they go for everything – food and showers (camping is free). It is estimated that $1,000,000 a day is taken in by the vendors and shops along the route. Most cities vie for the chance to have the ride go through their town. (Some don’t want it because of the volume of people. Think about how much trash is generated by 25,000 people!)
There are many traditions during RAGBRAI. Dad and I were forced to participate in one of them. We are once again virgins and were labeled as such. This way everyone who passed us could make fun.
After re-reading what I just wrote I do not think I did this justice. I tried. Guess you gotta be here. Cool thing to put on a bucket list
(That is not windmill Island in Holland – taken in Orange City, IA)
Mary is a breast cancer survivor. Last week I road 172 miles, climbed 3,780′ and was on my bike for 10 hours and 54 minutes for her. It has been 5 years since her diagnosis. Mary’s husband gave me one of my first song dedications – Glad All Over by Dave Clark Five He wrote, “Mary but you know, it is by your side I will stay.” I have listened to this dedication at least 20 times since 2008 and I still get chocked up.