RAGBRAI - July 2006

RAGBRAI, The Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is an annual seven-day bicycle ride across the state. RAGBRAI is the longest, largest and oldest touring bicycle ride in the world.

Saturday
July 29, 2006

Up at 6:15 am. Had breakfast and ready to ride at 7:15 am. This is the last day of RAGBRAI. Bike route today is 50 miles. First part is a steep climb out of the Iowa River Valley and then a long, gentle descent into Muscatine. Bob rode the entire route and Missy rode the second half. Roger drove the RV. The temperature remains hot and humid. Riders arrive in Muscatine around noon and met Roger. We all continued through town and dipped the front wheels of our bikes in the Mississippi River.

We then had hamburgers at a sports bar. Great to have sit down service and air conditioning. Walked around the river front area for a while and then got into the RV around 3:30 pm for the trip home to Kansas City. Arrived back in KC around 11 pm.

Friday
July 28, 2006

Up at 6:15 am for breakfast with coffee. Bob is driving the RV today. Rober & Missy are bike riding. Their distance today is 48 miles with rolling terrain. Biggest enemy is the heat and humidity. The riders left at 7 am in an effort to beat the heat.

We never saw Lance on the bike route yesterday. There were plenty of rumors about him, but somehow we never saw him.

The RV arrived in Coralville at 9 am. While waiting in a big traffic jam to get to the RV parking area, a home owner loaned us his hose so that we could fill up the RV’s fresh water tank. We finally arrived at the parking spot they directed us to at 10:30 am. Not a very good spot; we are parked along side of a street in the very hot sun.

Roger & Missy arrived in Coralville at 1 pm. The heat was bad. Missy went thru two camelbacks of water. Roger checked with home owners in the area and found someone who allowed us to park the RV in their driveway and connect to their electricity. We then had air conditioning. Dinner was at the RV and early to bed. Tomorrow is our final day of riding.

Thursday
July 27, 2006

Up at 6:15 am. At 7:15 am the Shores girls checked in with a conference call; what a nice way to start the day. Bob left at 7:30 am to ride to Marengo. Missy rode with Roger in the RV to Montezuma. She then rode from Montezuma to Marengo. Missy’s mileage fot the day was 37 miles. Bob’s mileage was 77 miles.

Roger found a homeowner that allowed us to park the RV in their driveway. The house was right on the bike route in Marengo. Dinner was Italian at the Catholic Church.

Wednesday
July 26, 2006

Up at 7 am and the usual for breakfast. We had severe thunderstorms with heavy rain during the night. So happy we are in an RV rather than a tent. Bob is bike riding this morning. Roger & Missy are driving the RV to Elkhart; the half way point for today. Bob rides from Waukee to Elkhart. Bob then gets the RV and drives to Newton. Roger & Missy will ride from Elkhart to Newton. Then we all re-group around 3 pm and spend the night in Newton.

Arrived in Newton with the RV and parked on the grounds of the high school. A very good spot as we were able to connect to 100 volt AC. We are getting reports that Lance Armstrong was riding west of Newton and that he will be in Newton tonight.

Dinner was at the RV and then up to town to checkout the activities and maybe see Lance.

Tuesday
July 25,2006

Up at 6:15 am. Had the usual for breakfast; oatmeal & coffee. Skies are overcast as we leave the campground at 7:30 am. The route today includes still move big hills until the route flattens out in the afternoon. We have no bike riders leaving Audubon. The plan is for us all to go in the RV to the town of Guthrie Center which is about the half way point for the ride today.

Missey and Bob starting riding at Guthrie Center and continue on to the end of today’s route; Waukee. We arrive in Waukee around 2 pm and get in 41.3 miles.

Dinner is Italian sausage cooked over the charcoal grill, baked beans, and chips.

Monday
July 24, 2006

Up at 6 am. There was a brief shower during the early morning hours. Oatmeal & coffee for breakfast. Bob & Roger will be riding today and Missey will drive the RV. We start bike riding at 7 am. The roads are very hilly. We arrive at Arcadia, Iowa right around noon. We have covered over 42 miles. Missey meets us and we have a great lunch at the RV which is parked in an alfalfa field.

Back on the bikes to finish today’s ride. The big hills continue and a nice head wind comes up. The sun is bright and temperature is probably around 90. Progress is slow, but we arrive at our overnight stop, Audubon, a little after 5 pm. The mileage for the day is 77 miles.

RV is parked at the fair grounds a few blocks from the city center. We have steaks cooked on the grill and caesar salad for dinner. The off to bed early as we are tired.