Alarms went off at 5:45 and we all got
moving right away. The RV was ready to go before 7AM and Joe and
Theresa walked to the corner to wait for Carl and company. We left
without breakfast nor coffee! After waiting for 15 min, Theresa
called Carl to leave a message and then she and joe took off. We
knew it would be a hot day so we were anxious to get going. Bikes
were flowing in all directions out of town. Folks lined the street
sitting in lawn chairs to cheer on the crowds. This was a big event
for the small town of Sioux Center and the main event for the day,
week and year no doubt. The stream of bikes could be seen topping
every hill in the distance. Theresa was relieved to be riding her
Classic Bock which is a good 20lbs lighter than the Green Machine.
Joe is learning a new craft. |
The first 10 miles clicked off effortlessly to Orange City which is
famed for being of Dutch Heritage. Intrigued by a cobbler shaving
wooden shoes, Joe and Theresa decided to stop and take in the town.
Dutch Puppies are a sinful delight! |
As Joe was discussing the craftsmanship, Theresa heard someone
calling her name. It was Janice Sitzes the 4th member of
the TNR RAGBRAI team. We all chatted with a town ambassador who
recommended the Dutch Puppies (a delightful pastry of waffle on a
stick dipped in chocolate and topped with whipped cream). Joe
quickly nick named it a gut bomb because he knew it would hit hard on
our empty stomachs under the sun. Joe checked out a calliope that
was playing in the town Square examining closely the inner workings of
slotted folded cardboard that drove the music. This was a cute
little town that brought all their floats and had folks dressed in
Dutch outfits and wearing wooden shoes. And we thought we were hot!
Yikes.
As far as you can see a stream of cyclists. |
We once again joined the steady flow
of cyclist on to the next eating frenzy. We passed on the next town
which was only 4 miles from the last and continued on to Granville.
We paused only long enough to get water and check in with Kevin. The
reception on ATT was so bad Theresa could barely hear Kevin and
vise-versa. She did pick up that the RV was parked at the
Fairgrounds and that he was able to get 50 amp hook up! Woohoo!
Lots of AC tonight! Kevin was biking upstream, with Zin in tow, on
the route to meet us at the last town about 18 miles from the finish.
His start was around 10pm so the heat of the day was already
pressing. Joe and Theresa were only 14 miles away from the meet up
town so they took their time as they now headed south into 10mph head
winds into Marcus. Once in town, Joe and Theresa walked all the way
to the other end of town knowing that would be a good advantage point
to see Kevin. Ready for some lunch they got hamburgers, and found
some soda as well that hit the spot. Finding a place in the shade,
Theresa tried to call Kevin but it was just not going thru, so Joe
called (he has Verizon) and got in touch with Kevin who estimated he
was 5 miles out. When Kevin rolled in he looked like he was spent.
Theresa fetched a soda and Pulled pork sandwich for him as he waited
in the shade. He had not eaten at all that morning and was beginning
to bonk so the sandwich started getting the feeling back to the
limbs. Zin was watered and making friends with lots of bikers.
Zin's new best buddy! |
Despite offers from both Joe and
Theresa, Kevin insisted on continuing to pull the dog! We once again
headed south into the winds with Joe and Theresa trying to set up a
vortex draft for Kevin and Zin. It was hard to stay together with
the crowds of cyclist all around us. Down hills the trailer acted as
a parachute dragging Kevin further back and uphills the weight of the
dog and trailer was like an anchor dragging on the sandy bottom of
the lake. Finally at the top of a hill Joe and Theresa pulled off
and extracted the trailer from Kevin's bike and hooked it up to
Theresa's Bock. Kevin was spent. Joe stayed with him and Theresa
got going with Zin in tow. We had turned East now and got a bit of a
tail wind so the trailer became more of a sail. There was a big down
hill into town followed by a short uphill which She sauntered right
up anxious to reach the RV. The Fairgrounds where on the other side
of town 1 mile from the main tents and all the vendors. One more
hill up to the fairgrounds and she hunted down Smitanic. Quickly she
got Zin inside with the AC and water. Just as she was unhooking the
trailer Kevin and Joe pulled in, they were surprised that they did
not catch Theresa (so was she). Beers were consumed and Kevin rested
a bit still beat up by the heat of the day. Later it was off to cold
showers then dinner at a grill across the street from the
fairgrounds to carbo-load.
All agreed it would be an early bedtime
as well as an early rise tomorrow for the planned 62 mile ride in 104
degree heat! Zin may sit this one out in the RV not sure if Kevin
will join her!
Imagine that waffle on a stick is everywhere!. Good choice to eat those waffles that has toppings. Love it!
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