Wednesday was voted the easiest day ever on any Ragbrai. It was less than 40 miles and just the most beautiful weather! Also there was zero wind and less than 700 feet of climb....I think Kenna could have done it! The morning of I had my first experience with the truck and it was a piece of cake! Walk your bag on, dump it and look at the time. Then it is waiting for you when you arrive organized by time dropped off...really was easy!
All along clear lake there were just gorgeous little houses. I looked when I got home as many were for sale and the starting price tag is $500k....yikes! A bit much for a summer home IMO!
Thursday was another fun day. Met some people from Belize and Great Britain! I found a wonderful little spot to camp in the shade near Wartburg college. I knew that there would potentially be rain that night so tried to find a spot that was also near a building. Scott and two of his friends rode that day as well. They drank along the way so were quite a bit later than I was getting in. So I showered and took a nap, then we met at a local bar and had a few drinks to celebrate.
Thursday night was not a restful one. It thundered and lightninged all night. It started raining in the early hours which caused some people to pack up their camps. I toughed it out and by 6am was wide awake - but dry in my tent. I caught a break in the weather and quickly packed up taking my bag to the truck. In transport all my stuff got wet as people's bags dripped onto mine..but luckily I had things packed in plastic bags, so not everything was soaked.
I took off hoping to just ride through the rain. The first hour was nice, just light sprinkling and pretty nice conditions - but that didn't last. The wind gusts started and the hard cold rain started at that point. I had a poncho that acted as sort of an inverse sail - crap. I peddled as fast as I could to tripoli, since Bremer was not really a town, but rather an intersection where someone was selling bagels, no protection from the weather.
In Tripoli I hit the worst of the storm. I scrambled looking for somewhere to get dry and warm up as I was shaking. There was a row of vendors trying to keep their umbrellas and awnings from blowing away - no good. In the distance I spied a school that would be great if it were open! I went around trying various doors and one was open - thank goodness! I huddled in there with 100s of other riders waiting out the storm. After about 30 minutes we were told we had to leave the building as it wasn't approved and that city hall was open 1/2 mile away. I jumped on my bike and rode into the wind, not knowing where town hall even was. As I came upon a turn I saw a bar that was off the road. I hurried over and saw that it was open and ran inside. At this point thunder and lightening was fierce and the wind was just brutal! I stayed in that bar nursing a beer and eating a friend egg sandwich for a few hours until the storm passed - then all was well! Got into Independence a bit late - but who cares it was so much nicer in the afternoon! Should have just waited in Waverly!
Saturday I hit the road around 630 excited to get to Guttenberg and see Josh! The day was fairly uneventful aside from meeting Chris (the next bachelor) in Strawberry point. I was on a bit of a high and tackled the hills pretty well! There was over 3000 feet of climb that day and I felt it the next morning! My shoulder and quads were really sore! Coming into Guttenberg the scenery was just gorgeous! Pretty little river town that was at the bottom of a steep hill - all green and lush, the boardwalk running along the river. I spotted josh as I rode in and was so happy to see him! We got the heck out of there quickly as the crowds and lines into the city were just miles and miles of waiting cars....total bottleneck!
Josh arranged for a wonderful old hotel that is rumored to have been owned by Al Pacino. It was restored but looked like it was out of the 20s inside. I got a pedicure and then Josh found an absolutely divine local restaurant! The chef even asked if we had questions on the menu. We had homemade corn soup, salad, tortellini and shrimp, AMAZING rosemary bread...the whole thing was worth the ride!
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