RAGBRAI Day 4

Most of the main campground in Des Moines was already down by the time I rolled out Wednesday morning.

 

Traffic jam getting out of the Water Works Park

 

Crossing the Des Moines River

The Iowa state capital building.

Monument to fallen soldiers/heroes.  I'm not sure, but from the road it looks like the woman in the center of the base is fondling her breasts.

Another MUST EAT RAGBRAI regular.  Farm Boys breakfast burritos!  Look at that line.

Team Flamingo is ... IN. DA. HOUSE!

SE Polk HS band played for us.  They were good.  Only band I saw that week.  Well, HS band, anyway.

Half-way thru the week, the miles (and beers?) were taking their toll.  Time to rest and rejuvenate. 

For $5, a pair of riders could don a fireman's coat and helmet and challenge another pair to an old fashioned fireman's water fight.  Linda and Gina from our team did this and won. Looked like fun.  But, no, I didn't do it.

We crossed the Des Moines River four times this day, including crossing on this mile long bridge.

Back at camp, ready to set up the tent in Knoxville.  We were next to the community center ... with an indoor pool!  That was relaxing.

LIVESTRONG staffers, Kim & Brian hamming it up at the team meeting.  Kim is the person who takes care of all the logistics and Brian is the team leader.  Two of the best people ever!



Tour at the Peace Tree Brewery in Knoxville.  Great beer.  Loved the Blonde Fatale!  Went with John & Mary Lee and Jim & Linda.  Great people!

RAGBRAI Day 3

Today was a short day, and I rode pretty much straight thru to Des Moines. Several members of our team went to visit Camp Kesem, an organization that provides overnight camps for children whose parents have or had cancer. LIVESTRONG supports Camp Kesem. 

This was actually the night before - probably about 9pm.  Big storm came through - high winds, rain, and marble sized hail.  A few things got wet, and there were a few puddles in the tent.  Nothing that couldn't get cleaned up though.

Dawn is breaking, looks like a beautiful day ahead.

Welcome to Minburn!

Not the first into town, I see.

The line for breakfast hosted by the locals.  It was a great meal.

Riders capturing their memories of another small town in Iowa.

These guys drove from San Diego to sell pizzas on RAGBRAI.  Yes, it's an actual fire truck.  Yes, the back end has been converted into a woodburning oven. Yes, the pizzas are delicious!  And fast.  It only takes a couple minutes to cook a full size pizza.

After a wet spring, the summer has been dry in southern Iowa.

A lemonade stand on the side of the road as we entered the Des Moines metro area.  It was good.

Camp Kesem counselors give Team members a tour of the facility and talk about the program.  Counselors are all college student volunteers who also must fundraise to finance the camp so that the weeklong camp is free to campers.  Campers are children whose parents have or had cancer.  It's a place where they can talk about their experiences with others who have been there too.  This particular camp had 56 campers and 32 counselors from Augustana College.

We didn't just observe the camp in action, some team members were drawn into the activities.  Here a LIVESTRONGer and a camper are paired up trying to get a penny out of a nylon stocking, racing another pair doing the same.

Camp Kesem campers with members of
Team LIVESTRONG.

Follow this link to my Strava ride report.

RAGBRAI Day 2 (w/ Karras Loop)

110 miles on a HOT, sunny July Day in Iowa. Not a lot of pics today. It was a long, hard ride. But here's what I do have. Also, my Strava report is incomplete as well, as my phone died on route.

We woke up to a foggy dawn.  Warm and muggy.

Riders disappear into the mist.

Who knew?

Riders who are merely crazy stay left, those that are certifiable go right for an extra 24 miles of hilly fun!

"Where are you from?"

This was a great idea!  I just wish the map didn't look like a 2nd grader painted it on that wall.

Elk Horn, IA.  There are a number of small towns that were flying the Danish flag in this area.  Not too many Norwegians though.  Hmmm.

Former (and future) teammate Lisa (left in glasses) and her family hosted a water stop for the team on the Karras Loop.  I had the privilege to ride the Loop with Sue (right).

Mr. Pork Chop. Another staple of RAGBRAI and a must have each year.  The chops are delicious.  They give them to you, perfectly seasoned and cooked, wrapped in a paper towel.  No niceties like plates or silverware, just eat right off the bone.

RAGBRAI Day 1

I'll add text later. But this gives you a snapshot of today's RAGBRAI ride.

Also, here is my Strava rider report for anyone looking for ride data.

Radar at 4:42 a.m.  Earlier, the cells to the west were all connected into one big storm system in a crescent around Omaha/Council Bluffs.  The break allowed us to stay dry that morning.

A beautiful dawn break to start RAGBRAI with.

Early riders at the official dip in site.  This was a couple miles from camp.

Officially starting my RAGBRAI with the dipping of my back tire in the Missouri River.

Riders rolling out of Council Bluffs to start the 406.6 mile trek to Ft Madison.

RAGBRAI breakfast - sausage, potato, egg, cheese, salsa, sour cream on the left and maple nut french toast with strawberries and cream on the right.

CONGRATS to the happy couple!  (I actually saw another recently married couple later in the week.)

Things get a little corny on RAGBRAI.

The Welcome to Shelby Sign.

Team COW.  Yes, that is an ear tag (#122) attached to the ear on her helmet.  Yes, there were more than a few members of Team Cow.

Tennant, IA.  Last stop before Harlan.

Beekman's Ice Cream - a staple and "must have" of RAGBRAI.  This is made fresh daily using these single-cylinder engines to turn the mixer.  You can see the small glass "tank" above the motor.  Great ice cream.  Almost worth the $6.00 for a cup of it.