Dipping tires

Here we are yesterday arriving at end for traditiinal front tire dip In Mississippi at end of ride. Weren't able to dip back tire in Missouri at start due to residual flooding in that area.
Dont have all stats together, however each day's (7 days total) ride was between 59 mi. (shortest) and 75 mi. (longest) with most falling in mid 60 range. We were told it was 2nd hottest ride on record (in 49 yr history). Every day was sunny except for one that had cloud coverage and a few slight showers (a welcome relief!)
It was an incredible week of fun and very challenging riding. Lots of hills and more cyclists than you can imagine seeing in one place. Towns had stream of riders go through from as early as 5 a.m. well through early evening.
WOW! What an experience!!

Popular spot

One pass through town had these huge coolers filled with (FREE) ice which was a rare and welcome offering!!

Couple in Iowa

People came out in every town we passed through to welcome riders, feed us and do anything they could for us! Met the nicest folks all week long! They were always interested to hear where riders were from :-) they offered their porches to sit on, shade trees to sit under and water to ride thru ... and slide thru

Pig bus

In front of vineyard with big party in back. 12 miles to pedal back to camp from here!

Retrieving r laundered clothes

In addition, they've been steamed by hot sun!!

Tent city in corn field

Moening sunrise

Check out what kids r advertising!

Iowans sense of RAGBRAI humor

Hilarious field art representation of rider in corn field 'bathroom'

Hawaian shirt nite

With Bud & Renee's 'traveling' palm tree on top of tent :-)

Tent city

More pics

Random pics

Iowa landscape

Rollerblading

Folks cross Iowa by all forms of wheels!!

and found!

Police delivered wallet back to camp early this a.m. Apparently left in town during dinner (and margaritas!)

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Lost

Ok, Day 5 ... 62 miles... LOTS of corn fields...and hills..got back to camp, cleaned up, headed to town for mexican dinner, lost wallet somewhere...think it might have been in camp but not turned in to lost & found yet :-(
Headed out this a.m. for 75 mi, destination Coraville

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Did I mention..

How ungodly hot its been!! It's almost 9:30 p.m. ... tents are set up in middle of old corn field and it's still 92 dgrees!!

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Lance

For all those hoping they might catch a glance of Lance ... message at one of pass-thru towns today LOL!!

Bike breakdown

Deb & Al getting sagged after 14 miles today :-( Thru bolt for bottom bracket fell out. Found bike shop in Altoona (stop over town for tonite) that was able to fix so good to go for tomorrow.

Boone last night

Bananna bike

Mr Pork Chop

and his truck ...

Pork chops

Yes they do serve pork chops on sticks all along the route

Helmet ornaments

Some riders like to have their party drinks close at hand LOL!

Largest bike

Local welder builds largest bike (going for Guiness record) and school kids taking pics of riders aa fundraisee

So hot!

One of the 'attractions' on route that we had heard of and HAD to try... water slide in kind farmer's field. Sooo much fun!

Day 2

Took spill geeting on road after stop (soft road shoulder) ... went down & got road rash on my shoulder. Here I am at patio bar in next town soothing my wounds with local 'recovery drink' :-)

Arriving in Glenwood

First of all...HALLELUJA we finally have cell service!!
Ok, so here we are arriving on bus into Glenwood, starting town for ride. Rained whole way there & 6 hr. ride turned into 8 hrs due to (3) overturned tractor trailers. Got in, checked in (another long process) and got luggage to tent area...bedlam...when suddenly screetching siren sounds & we were told it was tornado warning & advised to take shelter at high school. Weather passed and we ended up walking into town to try out local beer at brewery :-)

Baggage loading

Okay boarded bus and headed for Glenwood 8:15 a.m.

Dinner

No need for explanation here :-)

Just arrived

Here we are in front of 'Pork Belly' (our shuttle service) truck dropping bikes off. Truck is driving bikes across state to Glenwood where ride srarts from.

Trouble on road

Lots of screeching & burning rubber smell coming from trailer. Turned out to be broken fender rubbing on tire. Quick fix til we can get to auto parts store.

Test

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Ok, so after slightly delayed start yesterday a.m. (and no need to stop for new duffel ... neighbor saves day with perfect replacement) we arrived in Fremont, IN for night. Went to local restaurant for dinner (about 9 p.m.) where we were told the kitchen was 'running behind' and we observed people leaving (annoyed) ... we chose to kick back at table with lakeside view, have a few beers and stuff ourselves with bread til dinner arrived ... ahhhh... sweet vacation :-)

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OMG! OMG!  Busted zipper on duffel as we were packing and zipping up late last night!  Emergency stop at Cabellas on way out...who knew!!

Weekend rides

Okay, did 71 Sat. with some of our Forkers team mates Deb & Al, and Bud & Renee and 43 on Sunday. Next tandem ride will be in IOWA !!

Getting ready

So here we are planning to be on the road to RAGBRAI one week from today! Yikes, still lots of packing and last minute details to tend to...not to mention some additional riding this weekend to get ready for 7 days across IOWA ... stay tuned :-)