Today was a shorter day, but the weather and terrain conspired against me once again. It was very hilly again today, and to top that off, it seemed every time we turned a corner the wind shifted so we were heading into it almost all morning. After noon it finally slacked off a bit so it wasn't so bad, but there were times in the morning where I was coasting down big hills at 17mph instead of the 30mph it would have been without the wind, and climbing at 5mph because I was wore out from fighting it on the uphill. It just saps my energy like crazy. I'd rather it be hot than windy.
We did get a break from the heat today though so that was good. It was cloudy most of the day and we even had some brief spurts of rain. Nothing major though. But it was enough to keep the temperatures down and the heat index to a bearable level.
I feel like I'm rushing through the ride....which I guess I am. With it being so hot about the only thing you want to do is get to the next overnight town as quickly as possible so you can get cooled off and get some sleep. On other RAGBRAIs when the weather is cooler is much easier to take a more leisurely pace.
There's a new food vendor on the ride this year that I don't remember from last time. They call themselves "The Peanut Butter Jam". Basically it's fancy PB&J with a tent off to the side with a couple amps and some instruments. Usually when I roll by someone will be out there playing the blues, or some old rock and roll stuff. I decided that today was the day to give them a try, the sandwich not the jam session. I had wheat bread, crunchy peanut butter, strawberry jam, honey, banana slices, and chocolate chips. It was actually really good. Other topping options include pretzels, potato chips, Captain Crunch, raisins, and today's special....jalapeno slices (yuck?). I took a picture of my sandwich so you can see it. A little messy. :)
Beekman's was also at the same farm, and I would have liked to get some homemade ice cream, but the line must have been 100 people long. I'll have to catch him tomorrow or Saturday. Really jonesen some ice cream today.
The shower situation this week has been great. Usually it's the "Shower Semi" which is just a semi trailer built up with a bunch of shower stalls in it. Had to use it once this week and it was fine, but it can be really hot during the day time because the sun is beating down on you. Every other night though we've had great showers. Rec centers, school locker rooms, and tonight over at the Grinnell College Athletic Center. Air conditioned, no lines, wonderful... It's like....if you'd been out mowing the lawn for four or five hours in 90+ degree temperatures. You're dirty, about 6 layers of sweat and sunscreen, and hot hot hot. That cool shower is heaven.
This evening I grabbed the shuttle, which is efficient here in Grinnell unlike what it was in Boone two nights ago, and headed downtown for supper. I hit up a Lasagna meal at a local church and then wandered around a bit and picked up some t-shirts for me and the kids. Then I grabbed the shuttle to come back to the campground. Not very exciting is it? :)
I wake up around 5-5:30am. Am riding by 6am. Stop before 7am for breakfast. Ride maybe 20 miles and grab a snack. Ride a little farther and get lunch (usually between 10:30am and 11am). Ride a little further and grab another snack. Then ride the rest of the way into the next overnight town. Find the campsite, get my gear, and setup my tent. Then relax and cool off in the group tent for an hour or so...read the RAGBRAI news...find out where the places to eat are and if anything else exciting is going on. Go grab a shower. Eat supper between 4PM and 6PM...because the churches run out of food quick. Find a place where I can plug in and charge my gear and do some writing. Once that's done get my stuff ready for the next morning and go to sleep. Crazy excitement let me tell you!
There are usually other interesting things to do. The last three towns have had water parks available. There are always concerts and things going on. There's always a "Colchester Labor Day" like thing going on somewhere with fair food, games, and such. The RAGBRAI expo is setup every night where all the vendors show off the latest bike gear and clothing. Stuff like that. If I was here with a group of family or friends I'm sure things would be different. I wouldn't use up a bunch of time writing every night. But I really enjoy not having anything pressing I have to do when I'm by myself. Not that I wouldn't love to have some family/friends along to do stuff with. ;)
There's lots of parent/child groups, and husband/wife groups. Some on tandems, but most not. I think there's probably a good reason why some husband/wife pairs don't ride a tandem bike. I have yet to decide whether it would work for Stephanie and me. :) Lots of pre-teen and teenagers. Lots of over 50 people. I think RAGBRAI is great for people who have free time (aka retirees) and vacation time (aka teachers, govt. employees). I met a husband and wife and their two boys (ages maybe 11 and 14ish?) last night. They drive from Sacramento California in three days, ride RAGBRAI, and then drive back to California in two days. They've done this like last 4 years or something. That's either crazy....or dedicated. They are hardcore riders and are all in excellent condition. Their kids have been doing 40-50 mile rides on their own road bikes for quite a while.
Well....almost 9PM so time to close up and get ready to go to sleep.
Here's the map for today. I had trouble with the phone first thing so didn't get it started until the first passthrough town.
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/43559806/
And some more pictures are up.
https://picasaweb.google.com/105817156041666253077/RAGBRAI39
Two more days. Be home soon!
Matt
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