Day 7

Done with RAGBRAI. DAY 7 was 72.23 miles and not as hilly as we were lead to believe. There were a couple tough ones but not as severe as I thought they were going to be. 

Day 6

Day 6 is one that will never be forgotten.  72.34 miles. Had to wait till a thunderstorm stopped before packing up to leave. Left a little after 6:00 am. Started to rain again a couple miles out and didn't stop for the next 40 miles. Add heavy winds with gusts over 35 mph at 61 degrees and that makes it a very enjoyable day. Been a fun week and also a not so fun week. We had a member of our group crash and end up in a local ICU on Wednesday.  Possible internal bleeding due to spleen damage. Then an elderly man from another group that was camping next to us passed away in his sleep sometime early Thursday morning. Tomorrow brings on the hills.  

Day 5

Day 5 is done. 68.5 total today with 1700+ feet of climb. Cool in the morning but warmed up around noon. Electronics are great if you keep them charged up. GPS ran out of power midway through. Relied on the other computer till I hit one of many bumps and it decided to reset itself. I'll have to look up later to see what my totals are for the week. Once I got to co he GPS and battery backup hit the charging station. Tomorrow brings on the same as today with the mileage and climb. 

Day 4

Day 4 is done.  39.23 miles in. Shortest day of trip. Getting us ready for our next 3 days of close to 70 miles each. Over half way done. 

Day 3

Day 3, Tuesday, was our longest day. 81.39 miles in. I didn't ride the loop today. The wind was brutal at times. Hot and humid all day. Finally cooled down after dark. Nice night to sleep with it cooling down though. Suppose to not be as hot and humid today.

Day 2

Finally able to get service. Hard to get on when this many riders and support are hitting the cell towers at one time.  Day 2 was fairly easy day. 42.24 miles. Was saving legs for Day 3. Hot and humid day with the wind still blowing.

First days ride is in the books. 74.5 miles today with a strong south crosswind. Got in around 2:15. Left at 5:45. Had to put a new shifter assembly on the bike in the first town. That killed an hour for me. Other one came apart last night while I as at the expo. Bike fell over and the assembly came apart. Bike shop there got it back together for me but it didn't shift correctly in all the gears. Tomorrow is an easier day.

Tire dip.

We have  arrived. This is my housing and transportation for the next week. 

Our ride to Rock Valley.  We are taking 2 buses there. Not sure when we are supposed to get there.

Bike and gear unloaded at Bickels. Bus leaves at 7:00 am tomorrow heading for Rock Valley. I think I have everything packed.  Large bag looks and weighs more like a body bag but is actually full of clothes and riding gear. Smaller bag is full of tent, sleeping bag and other things. Bag chair is also going along on this trip.

Getting ready to head out before long to Burlington to drop off the bike and gear.