Saturday 25 July

WOW,
I cannot believe this is the last day. I actually can see the end of the ride. It is sad and happy at the same time. It has been fun and challenging at the same time. We got up a little later than normal and got off to a later start. But because it was the last day every body and their brother were out there early as well so it was really congested. But we made it out of the town without incident. We stopped at Lowell VFW for breakfast. Boy were they ever slow but the pancakes and sausage were really good and a nice price. We continued along our way and we were really doing good for this last day was a picnic. We stopped for our last smoothie and continued along our way and were going down a steep hill with a sharp turn at the bottom when people were at the end slowing everyone down because there was a accident. Never did find exactly what happened but they took him away in a ambulance. We went by a beautiful lake and great scenery. The rest of the trip into Burlington was uneventful. We were really cruising and making good time. It was great end to the ragbrai trip. We made it down to the Mississippi river and eventually made it to a boat ramp to dip our tires and thus complete our journey across Iowa. We then continued a few miles north to meet up with David and Lisa to go to Jan's for the night and actually sleep in a real bed for a change. We stopped by the Amish village of Kaloona and several Amish country stores. It was great. We finally made it to Jan's and had supper then bed. It has been a great journey and had a great time with my brothers and Lisa.

Friday July 24

Hello
Today was a day from hades. Not only was it hot and the hills murder. But I lost Melvin the last half of the day. Which was kind of frightening. But we found him or rather he found me at the end of the day. We stopped at a nice farmhouse to have breakfast. They had a really 1930 ford car there and a donkey and a 64 Chevy convertible. But the great breakfast they was nice looking but really expensive after the nice breakfast we had the day before. So we skipped it and went down the road. We had a really stop at peking school which had a great place to stop and eat and rest and get out of the sun which was starting to really bear down among us. After that we had a nice ride for a while. It was right after the meeting place that the hills got to me and i was a little slower. Melvin was ahead of me and got to the top of the hill and somewhere he must of turned his back to me and I passed him. I even slowed down at the next pass trough town and I thought maybe he just continued pedaling. By this time it in the afternoon and it was hot and we were battling a headwind. I stopped several times to cool off and try to un numb my bottom, and still no Melvin. I finally made it to the last night of camping on the trip. However to add to the frustration of losing Melvin, My phone battery gave out and I had no way to contact Dave and lisa to ascetain where they were located. I finally made it to the campground and every rider and support vehicles were located at the old thresher campground. Boy was it ever large and intimating. I had to use the Iowa telecom trailer to call Jan to have her call mom to get David's cell number so Jan could call David and find out where he was located. It worked and I found David and Lisa all set up. Boy did they ever find a great spot. Right across from the thresher museum and even better across from the restrooms and free hot shower. It was great. Because we having to pay $5 dollars every night for a shower. By this time I was still looking for Melvin. I went back to the information booth and was looking for him when all of a sudden Melvin appeared behind me. So everything worked out. We went to supper at st Al's in town a catholic church. It was great fried fish with all the trimmings including dessert. When we went back to the campground to settle down for the night we were told to prepare for a big storm. It was hard to believe because the sky was fairly clear. However later that night the police were coming through the campground tell everyone to evacuate to the museum buildings to avoid the storms. We were able to look through the museum for free. The great part was we got to look the museum buildings for free. The storm also split and bypassed us. So it was great. We went to bed.

Thursday July 23

Hello,
WE left chariton after waking up to thunder and lighting and a strong rain storm. The inside of the tent was even a bit damp after the rain was forced trough a bit. A bout a hour or so later we came among a scene which quickly let us know how luckily we were. The storm actually skirted us a little and hit south east of us. There was hail along side of the road so thick that Melvin was waiting for me as he usually was. But this time he scoped up a handful of hail and threw it at my legs. That felt good. We stopped and ate breakfast at a little restaurant by the lake (rathburn ) It was great the food was good and cheap. $2 for a full order of biscuits and gravy. We arrived in Moravia and had a good time and stayed a little while enjoying the shade and the local culture. We continued onto Ottumwa. We stayed a local park. It was the first time we stayed all concentrated at the same spot with the other 15,000 people. It was crazy. However it was okay even when it started to rain. We went next door and stayed with a nice lady who luckily allowed us to share her canopy. The storm passed quickly as it came. We went out to dinner to the knights of Columbus. It was steak dinner. It was good. We took the shuttle to eat and roam around town. We had a great time. Even stopped and listened to a couple who quit their jobs and sold almost of of their possessions and have traveling around the world on their bicycles and free camping and such. It was interesting. But not my cup of tea. We went back to camp and yes we went to bed pretty quickly.

Wednesday July 22

Hello,
Yippee we were to sleep in late today (7am) because it was a short ride only 44.4 miles and a fairly easy ride. It stopped raining by the time we got up in the morning. The town was so friendly and we had a good time there. However we started riding and we hit some misty stuff again. But by the time we arrived at Milo it was nice out. We even stopped at a local farm house and had pancakes and eggs. They were really friendly and the food was good as well. We arrived in Chariton before noon I believe. We were camping at the middle school. It was really nice of them to keep the school open all night which was great. We had a great time running around town looking at the different vendors and food stuff. Later that night we went back down town for supper. They stared the band. We had to leave because it was so loud. The band looked like a bunch of weirdos and were screaming at the top of their lungs. Crazy. WEnt to bed as usual by this time 9 pm.

Tuesday July 21

Hello,
We left early again and as usual there was a hill out of town and soon we going pretty good and on a good pace. Of course other things changed. The rain a mist started and was with until we got to macksburg 20 miles or so down the road. If you look close on the macksburg tavern you will see Melvin's and I autographs on the the wall. The mist continued until St Charles. There it was nice and we ate lunch. I am not sure where the eating started or stopped throughout the day. Ragbrai is often described as eating your way through Iowa instead of biking LOl. We were enjoying a fairly nice end of the day when of course we hit another hill coming into town. We were real lucky when we came into town and found David Lisa again having set up the campsite. But instead of on a school ground. They camped on a church site. Boy where they ever friendly. They offered free camping and free water and a real good supper with dessert. Later on after supper they came by the campers with even more free dessert. They were so typical of the friendliness of rural Iowa. We were bed again around sunset which was becoming the norm.

Monday July 20th

Hello,
We left the campground about 5:30 in the morning. Boy we hit a big hill right away on the way out of town. I almost made it to the top but had to walk a few yards. It was too soon and I was not warmed up enough yet. The recumbent is a great bike but it is difficult to ride up a steep hill, although it can fly down hill. By the time we hit Villisca it was time to stop for breakfast. Believe me a cinnamon roll and french toast sticks and a diet coke does not go well. I had a slightly upset tummy and by the time we hit the meeting town at Corning I was feeling better but did not have lunch. Melvin had a pulled pork sandwich. By the way I will tell every one "that Iowa is not flat" The hills are steep when you constantly hit them. Thank heavens for the smoothie guys at the top of the hills. Melvin really enjoyed them. I also enjoyed them just not as much. I was doing okay but by the time we were 5 miles from greenfield I had to walk trough the last town to give my bottom and feet a rest. Believe me, do not always believe the so called bike experts when they say that biking shoes are the best. My feet really hurt by the end of the day. Plus the fact that I have not up to this point rode over 70 miles and this day we rode 72.6 miles and climbed 5,060 feet. But we did make it to Greenfield. The only disappointment was not going to "Bubbas Rock". But it was raining and it was not good. We went to bed again at 9 or so.

Sunday July 19

Hello,
Sorry about being late but it has been harder than i thought to keep up on the road. The wireless Internet they claimed to had has the range of a rock gliding through the air "zip". We left Council Bluffs Iowa early around 5:30. It was cold and slightly foggy. We rode for about 6 miles and I was thinking boy is this ever so easy. That changed quickly when we hit the loess hills. They were steep and the sun was coming out. It heats up quickly. By the time we hit the meeting town of Emerson it was evident we were not going to sit any land speed records. The idea of meeting up with David and Lisa at the meeting towns were quickly dissipated. The crowds were too much for us to find them quickly and the parking was even harder for the support vehicles. By the time the end of the day was coming up. I felt pretty good and was starting going to go down the few hills left and the front tire started feel funny. I got a flat tire. It was really warm and I changed the flat tire pretty quickly. Melvin waited for me at the bridge coming into town. David and Lisa had the tent set up and we just sat down and rested. I drank quite a few gator aids that day. We ate supper close by. Were in bed by 9 or so.

I am Here

Yippe We e
We are here. The weather is great and the people areawesome. It has been a long road here but i am glad to be here. We walked across the bob kerry pedestrian bridge. It was a good time. Will try to post pictures tommorrow.

Bad Excuse

It has been quite some time since I made a comment. The ride is really near now. I will be leaving on thursday to go back to iowa for the ragbrai. I think I am in good enough shape. We will find out soon enough. I have made some pretty good rides. I have been wanting to do this so I come ready or not. I will attempt to post some pictures when I get going.
Bye for now wish me luck