Ragbrai seatosea day 7

Last day. 

Ok first last night. Terry showed up in camp. We found a barbecue place serving great food so we all went out to dinner together. 

Some by bike and some walked. 

George enjoyed the food. I think everyone did. It was very tasty. 

We all posed I front of the seatosea truck. 

The sky was very dark and a weather system was rolling in. But we all made it back to camp safe and it never did rain on us. 

Camp life is very social. It was good. 

The day started very overcast and it was threatening rain. 

We came through Columbus junction. This town had some of the steepest hills. I didn't think you could pack that many climbs in such a small area. 

We crossed the Iowa river. 

We followed the river for a while up stream. Saw these tractors. 

A nice mustang. And a little red wagon. 

We made it to muscatine. 

Just two more hills. That was the Iowa thing to say. 

We said our good byes and headed out.  

Thanks for reading and don't forget next summer Coast to coast in Canada, cycling to end poverty. 

Thanks. Len. 

Ragbrai seatosea day 6

Good morning all. Last night I was writing my blog and at 1030 the fireworks began. 

Got up to the melodious sound of tent poles klicking,outhouse doors slamming. 

25 people deep on our washrooms. 

50 deep on the other ones. So after I was ready to go Joanne and Wayne said I'll meet you at the end of the gravel road. After checking three park exits and traveling 3 km I got a call from Carrie asking where I am. It took me another 6 km to catch up to them. In hindsight it was a good warmup for the 10%+ slope in the first 3 km. 

Today the hills started steep but later it turned into a nice rolling hill day. It was overcast all morning with rain threatening. I never rained on us. 

The crowds were still pretty thick for most of the day. It doesn't seem to thin out until after the meeting town. 

We met terry and some other seatosea riders at truck today. 

This lady was part of the airforce cycling group and they would stop and help people that were stuck on the side of the road. They are awesome. 

This is Ragbrai's version of billy. 

Met my wife at the meeting town. 

This house has a few signs. 

This is a sprayer that sprays corn. Sweet unit. 

We were greeted by a bagpiper. I think it made me climb the hill faster to get away 

From the sound. 

In town safe and sound. One day left. 

Ragbrai seatosea day 5

Hi all. After a night of cool sleeping I was ready to go this morning. 

This was my view this morning at about 630. Line up for the portapoty 20 deep. As we got to the main road people streamed on like streams flowing into a river. On your left, car up, car back. It's funny cause we're on a road that's pretty much filled with bikes and no cars but people yell like they've never seen a car on the road. It makes me smile. So does all the different characters on the ride. You have to ride defensively. Not that I don't trust people, it's just that I don't trust people. 

After a few miles we came to a dam. This was the first time they let bikers ride across the Dam. 

Coming into town we saw the seatosea truck placed perfectly at he end of the main street. All the riders have had the same experience. People love to hear about it 

He was an impromptu picture that terry til infringe oft he truck. It was fun to see so many seatosea riders together that far into the ride. 

Here's Wayne behind me and we had a discussion on the way they bailed the grass on the side of the road. 

We didn't have a ton of climbing but the hills we did climb were long. And packed with people. 

At least the downhills spread out a little more. 

I stopped at beekmans ice cream to take some pics of there old fashioned engines making the ice cream. 

This old truck needed some tender loving care. 

When we arrived in town the had this fire truck to greet us. 

This truck had a pic in the door that was funny. Not sure if you can read it. 

Here's mark with his bike tonight. Looks cool.  Here's a bonus pic for all the Deere John fans. 

Ragbrai day 4.

Wednesday morning and the ear plugs worked so well that Joanne and Wayne were waiting for me. 

Just out of town we passed an old cement truck. 

Joanne was walking into the town of humeston. Jeff one of the seatosea riders arranged a breakfast in that town. 

We all enjoyed the fresh fruit breakfast. It's hard to eat healthy on this ride. 

Mark and Susan loving the ride. 

The town had a display of old tractors so naturally I had to take a picture of all of them. 

Here's a Ford 

If I have room I'll post some more tomorrow. 

There's all kinds of bikes, skaters, and even skateboarders. The ride got hot pretty fast so we had to make few extra stops. We made it in to the  camp. 

This town went from 5500 to 25000. The seatosea group found refuge from the sun under the shade trees. 

Everyone made it in. Happy to relax ice the knee and get ready for tomorrow.