It’s only a few more days until RAGBRAI, The Register’s Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, where I and 15,000 people will ride across the state. I am looking forward to this trip but with some trepidation. My biggest concern is just the mass of humanity and my safety. Recumbent bikes are long, low to the ground but the worst part is you can’t take off fast and getting into the flow of bike traffic will be a challenge, I’m sure. And unlike BRAN last month, where nearly everyone was a seasoned rider, many of the people on this ride, just by the sheer numbers, will be newbies. They won’t know about not taking sudden turns, pointing out road obstacles, signaling a turn or slowing down, announcing their approach, etc. Also, this is well known as a party trip with lots of drinking.
I’m pretty much packed but feel I’m forgetting several things. I took way too much on my BRAN trip and have tried to reduce as much as possible.
Getting back in the saddle after BRAN was really difficult as that ride wore me out. But I knew I needed to build up my muscles and stamina for this trip so I have been out several days a week pushing myself. I did over 100 miles this last weekend. On Saturday I went to my favorite training area, Wehrspann Lake, arriving at 6:00 in the fog. First run around the 5.5 mile trail around the lake and I was sucking air. The air was so full of moisture it was hard to get the oxygen I needed (lesson learned, slow down when really humid). In addition, my prescription bike glasses were fogged up on front and back of lens and useless. I just slid them down on my nose and rode a blurry ride. But it was a beautiful morning (see pictures below).
I’ve not been on the bike since Sunday and I worry I’m going to regret it come Sunday. Just too much going on this week. Tuesday night I met friends for an outdoor music concert at Lauritzen Gardens and tonight I’m meeting friends and family at Jazz on the Green. Both great music and social events in town and I highly recommend them.
Rainbow at Jazz on the Green in Omaha after a brief sprinkle
This will probably be my last post before RAGBRAI. I will try to update daily on that trip, but my connections to the internet may be spotty with that many people trying to communicate on their phones and netbooks all at once. It will all depend on me finding a signal somewhere. But do check in because there will be lots to report about and many colorful people to photograph.
Here are my pictures from my most recent bike outings:
View of the lake as the fog was lifting
Rest stop at Walnut Creek recreation area
This was my first Taco Ride. The weather was absolutely perfect, so at the urging of a friend in the Omaha Ski Club I decided to finally give it a try. Boy, was I not disappointed. We met at the trial head of the Wabash Trace which is just South of Lewis Central Middle school in Council Bluffs, IA and road about 6 miles to a point affecti0nately knows as Margaritaville where there were several dozen people stopped for snacks and libations. This was a fairly steady 1 to 2% incline on the trial to this point, to Margaritaville, a climb of 233 feet. After about 30 minutes visiting with old and new friends we road on to Mineola, just over four miles and and the grade was a steady 1 to 2% decline, which drops about 200 feet.
Mineola is a very small town, about 200 population, and the well known steakhouse, where they serve tacos and other grate food, is overflowing with riders out on to the patios and the street. Tonight there was a band and a street dance as well, so given the great weather and the entertainment I expect this was one of the biggest crowds of the summer. One of our riders, Gary, was kind enough to ride in ahead of us and put in a reservation for a table, where we all shared hard and soft tacos, pitchers of margaritas and beer. We then went out to the street and enjoyed the band and the people playing in the bubble machine.
This is quite a festive group of people, from all ages and I highly recommend it to anyone who can do a 20 mile recreation ride, which is the round trip distance. However, I strongly recommend you have a very good headlight and a taillight as you will more than likely ride back in the dark. The converted rails to trails path is covered by a beautiful canopy of trees and is quite dark. However, it was also an exhilarating ride in the dark. I can’t wait to do it again!
The last day simply started out bad. Rough night sleeping because of the rain most of the night. Then at 3:00 am we heard BRAN staff on intercom telling us to quickly get into the municipal auditorium next to the city park. 60-80 mph winds were coming. So, hundreds of us are packed in this small auditorium. BRAN staff updated us on the weather and when it was over wished us well on finding our tents (oh, that was encouraging). Tried to get back to sleep, I was so tired, but it did not happen. Packed up everything in the rain and headed over for breakfast in the park. Always someone I know at meal times, so great to actually talk to people after 8-12 hours on a bike by myself. Had eggs, sausage, pastry, juice for $5.00.
Just one of the many flooded creeks we saw today
Started my riding at 7:00 in the rain. Too warm and humid to wear rain pants, but did wear a rain jacket. Rained for an hour and stung my legs like needles. That hour of rain was the worst of my riding every and had a SAG vehicle come by I would have thrown in the towel for the day. Rain stopped and I kept going, but encountered a front flat tire, my first all week, at about 12 miles. Aired it up and all seemed well. Strange weather and it kept changing directions. Just when I would get an encouraging tailwind it would change and I would be fighting a headwind which just wore me out. My leg muscles have been sore all week but today they were really complaining.
Knowing we had to pick up our luggage by 1:00 and my 16 year old son would be waiting for me then at the end point, I was realizing I was not going to make it by that time. So, at the next SAG stop I jumped on the truck and was able to skip 10 miles of the trip. Good thing as just a few miles later that front tire went flat again and I decided it was time to replace the tube rather than air up the tire again.
While I was changing the tire the oldest rider on the trip, Roger, age 86, stopped for a break and we chatted. I told him he really encouraged me to continue each day as I was only in my 50’s and if he could do it, I should be able to. He laughed and said, “Oh, the 50’s are nothing. I learned how to do wind surfing when I was 56”.
Second flat of the day - time to change that tube!
The hills were the worst today with a grade of 6% sometimes and I was just too worn out to manage a few of them. Outside of Ceresco I had my first fall on a the steepest hill. I decided I needed walk the bike but could not get my feet out of the pedals (they clip on) fast enough and fell over into the gravel and mud. No blood – back in the saddle and off I go.
About 5 miles later, walking my bike up another hill I realize my left bike sandal (new before trip) is broken and rear ankle strap about to rip off. What else can go wrong? Well, about 15 miles out of Ashland, our end point, it gets very hot and humid and I run out of water. I’m done. I’m very tired, worn out, hot, thirsty and late. I pull off under the shade of a farmers tree and wait for the SAG. Nearly fell asleep on the way in. Took a three hour nap when I got home.
Woke up at 4:00 am to pouring rain. Also woke up to rain water in my tent and a wet sleeping bag to boot. Had pancakes, sausage and juice, managed to get on the road at 7:00 am.
For as long of a day and ride that it was, I really don’t recall much except for the very quaint town of Taylor. Very small town but had a town square. They were serving home made smoothies in the community center. Someone had created these life size drawings of people in 1800 attire and they were all over town. They had one parking meter which I think was really a joke. Anyway, I noticed it.
Old Hotel in Taylor
Another view off the town square in Taylor
Total of 75 long miles today. Managed to finally keep myself well hydrated but fear I may have gotten a little overheated the last few miles. When I finally completed the 75 miles, in 10 hours, I grabbed a bottle of cold water and downed them in the shade, chatting with a minister I met a week before BRAN. Oh, they had slices of cold watermelon at the welcome tent when you came in town. Really, really refreshing! An hour later I was showered and a new man. I walked the seven blocks downtown to the senior center for the great potato bar I heard about and what a beautiful town David City is. Saw something I had never seen before, all the city sidewalks are not near the street but up by the houses. I can only guess this is because the sidewalks were designed for visiting your neighbors. Good planning by the city fathers.
Ride went well and although I did encounter some headwind, it was not much. Hard day peddling, but I made it!
Just one more day to go! I’m happy and sad. This week has just sped by but I have so enjoyed the changing scenery every day, meeting new friends and old, no TV, no news, great food, great people everywhere. My only regret was that my slowness, either because I was not in the shape I needed to be or my recumbent is just not the right bike (very heavy and hard to manage on hills and headwinds).
Today I awoke at at 3:00 to stormy weather and the tent shaking wildly as a front moved in. Could not go back to sleep so tore down the tent and went into the high school for a breakfast burrito, fruit, juice and coffee. Anticipated hitting the road at 6:00 but because of the bad weather (it was storming) they wisely would not let us leave until 8:00. Even then we road in the rain the first 20 miles. What an experience! I wore a rain coat and my bike shorts, the rain stinging my legs like needles. Really did not need the rain coat as I was sweating so much from the first big hill that I was about as wet inside as out.
First town was around 25 miles and I think we all invaded a small gas station/convenience store. I quickly downed a large hot chocolate. While there the sun came out intermittently. Ride was good until we turned South on highway 281. Very busy traffic and we encountered new strong head winds. What was worse was the 40 mph gusts. Pushed me off the road once and I was worried it was going to push me into traffic, so at the next SAG stop I road the support truck into the campground. I made 34 of a 56 mile ride. The rear of the truck is open so we can see all the riders behind us. The wind was so strong that they were all leaning sideways and it was obvious everyone was having trouble keeping their bike straight on the road.
Tonight we are in Albion and has this town gone out of their way to help us. Camping at the fairgrounds but they have constant shuttles taking you around town. I skipped the rustic fairgrounds showers and took the ride into town to use the ones at the fitness club. Wise choice.
They have a very nice events center here at the fairgrounds where I found spaghetti, beer garden and free wi-fi. Hopefully I can load up all those pictures I have been taking.
Oh, forcast is rain and wind again. Some told me the running joke is that BRAN really stands for Bringing Rain Across Nebraska. I believe it!!!
Last night I decided I wanted to leave today when the sun came up to avoid as the winds that build up in the afternoon, plus it was a very long ride from Thedford to Burwell. Tried to have all bags packed so I would just need totear down tent and go. Even skipped my air mattress. Mistake!! Tossed and turned for 45 minutes on the hard tent floor and blew up the mattress.
What a site in rural Nebraska, four jets being shipped on a train
Did I mention that nearly every town is on a train route? Coal cars go by every 20 minutes and blow their horn. And then there are the coyotes that howl at each other all night. Thank goodness I remembered ear plugs. But when it is not raining the sky is just ablaze with stars! You can see the Milky Way.
Awoke at 4:30 am, tent down, bags packed and loaded on the semi truck by 5:30. Breakfast of biscuits and gravy, fruit and OJ. Out of town by 6:15.
Normally my legs start to do what I want without complaining at about 15-20 miles. Not today, it eas more like 50. Legs hurting today on the hills and there were several today. At a great meal at a really cool place at 50 miles in called Uncle Bucks. Guess it is restaurant and inn. Very nice and big when you consider the population of the town is 29.
Can you guess what it is they serve us at every meal?
After lunch I started to poop out big time. Either it was the big meal, dehydration, the heat, too much sun or a combination of these. At the next SAG stop I drank lots of water and took a power nap of about 5 minutes. Took off riding and perked up a few miles down the road, ending at 89 miles for the day, a personal milestone. And it only took 12 hours!!!! 😉
Set up the tent and went searching for food, which I found at the catholic church. Roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and cake. Visited with a husband and wife I know from the Omaha Ski Club, then when the departed I saw my pharmacist and visited with her and her friends for a while.
Back to the high school for a hot shower (rare on these trips) and now writing this blog post.
Tomorrow is only 64 miles but a few hills, headwind and 50% chance of rain in afternoon.
<a href=”http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ne/-thedford/451127731842373942″ mce_href=”http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ne/-thedford/451127731842373942″>BRAN 2010 Day 4</a><br/><a href=”http://www.mapmyride.com/find-ride/united-states/ne/-thedford” mce_href=”http://www.mapmyride.com/find-ride/united-states/ne/-thedford”>Find more Bike Rides in Thedford, Nebraska</a>
Today was much better! As I mentioned in my update of Day 2, we did not get severe weather, but just the
High school I slept in during storm
same the local sheriff made us all sleep in the high school. It was quite a site and I wish I had my camera as there were people everywhere . I was in the gym and it was full. All the hallways were full. They turned on the lights at4:00 am and breakfast was ready (eggs, pancakes, ham, juice and milk).
Not sure how I can get up at 4:00 and still not hit the road until 7:00, but I guess it had a lot to do with the standing water I found in my tent. Even ma my tent. Even made it inside my bags which I forgot to close entirely. Nothing damaged, so no problem really. I was just happy the tent had not been damaged or blown awmy bags which I forgot to close entirely. Nothing damaged, so no problem really. I was just happy the tent had not been damaged or blown away.
We had wind to our back all day and we dropped 1000 feet in elevation with only a little climb. Had rain from about 10:30 to 11:30, but not severe. Lunch stop at a small town (will list name later, can’t recall name) and had a wonderful cheeseburger and fries. Lasted me all afternoon (up to this point I have been constantly hungry.
Being passed by a bunch of Corvette owners
We had wind to our back all day and we dropped 1000 feet in elevation with only a little climb. Had rain from about 10:30 to 11:30, but not severe. Lunch stop at a small town (will list name later, can’t recall name) and had a wonderful cheeseburger and fries. Lasted me all afternoon (up to this point I have been constantly hungry.
Such beautiful landscapes in the Sandhills of Nebraska
I should mention that that BRAN has wonderful SAG (support and gear) stops about every 12 miles with apples, bananas, oranges, candy, snacks and cold water. I’m learning it is great to full up ever stop.
A typical SAG stop
Absolutely fantastic weather the last half of the ride and I got my ride done in a little over four hours. Average speed was 13.8 mph and my maximum speed was 34.6 mph. To help you realize how much different that is from the first two days, I did 9.5 mph on Sunday and 9.1 mph yesterday and both of those was pedaling hard against a constant wind.
I splurged and rented a chair from the one charter service on the trip for $20 for the week but tonight was the first day I got to use it. I’m currently sitting under a big open tent, feet up, nice breeze, sipping my second glass of lemonade. Will venture off soon to find some food, showers at the high school and hopefully wash out my clothes from the first of the week.
Great trip! Despite the bad weather, wind and hills, this has been what I expected and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the week brings.
Rain during the night and rain as I tore down the tent. Up at 4:30 again with the sound of tent zippers and people loading their bags in the semi. Nine hours of sleep did wonders.
Was on the road by 6:00 AM and stopped at Taco Johns for something to eat that would shock my cardiologist. But hey, I’m burning off 5,000-6,000 calories a day.
Ride started with a mist and cold wind, temperature about 54 degrees, 40 with windchill and even colder when y
ou consider riding creates its own windchill. More hills today. Had lunch at a town that was like something out of the 1940’s, very small town (like 10 buildings). Lunch served at the 3 lane bowling alley.
Found out I was one of the last 15 out of over 600 riders. But did the 58 miles and rolled into the full campground only to see people tearing down their tents. Seems we have the potential 60 mph winds tonight as two storm cells collide. Might be sleeping in the high school tonight. Oh joy, more rain.
The good news is I feel good and no aches or pains. Looking forward to my first shower and shave of the trip.
Day 2 update: We survived the storm with hundreds of us sleeping in the high school. I was in the gym with a wonderful chorus of snoring all night. Lights on at 4:00 am and breakfast ready.
It was the worst day riding ever! EVER!!!
And I did not even finish. At about mile 75 of 83 I had the SAG vehicle drive me in to Alliance. We struggled with sustained strong headwinds the entire day. Made the ride feel more like over 100. And the sun! Oh my!
Of course, when I got in and ready to set up my tent it started to rain. Managed to get it set up and went over to the Baptist church for a nice BBQ dinner. Went back to the tent, layed out my sleeping bag and fell asleep with my bike clothes on before 7:00PM.
When I said it was the worst day ever, I mean the conditions. I’m glad I did the ride, despite exhaustion and probably dehydration.
Recumbent Ron
Beautiful Scenery Today!
Sharing the roads with the Big Boys
Passing Through Fort Robinson
Cliffs behind Fort Robinson
Another View of the Cliffs
View from the bus going to Harrison, NE
Up at 4:00 am so I could have my son Alex drop me off at the Strategic Air and Space Museum at 5:30 to load my bike in the semi and get on the bus. Raining, dark, no one directing people where to go, I’m wondering if this is how the trip is organized (but later find they are very organized – must have
Harrison Hotel – Building at left said Water and Power Building, 1923
been the rain).
Sat next to a man who also lives in Omaha and works at PayPal, had great conversations with him and shared a foot-long sandwich at Subway when we stopped in North Platte for lunch. Oh, skies cleared en-route and it was a beautiful day. Clouds looked like cotton balls in the sky, so close you could touch them. Also
beautiful country! Nebraska is definitely not flat!!
Arrived in Harrison around 3:00, found a spot for my tent and proceed to set it up. Took an hour as I had messed with the poles and screwed them up. Had some too short, some too long. No problem, it was a beautiful day and I’m not on any schedule. Then it took another hour to set up my bike. No problems, just took my time as there was lots to reattach.
Sunset in Harrison
I’ve run in to at least a dozen people I know and have had a great time getting reacquainted. Had a wonderful dinner in the high school gym with a guy I used to work for 18 years ago. The high school had 4 seniors this last year (small town!), but beautiful school. Hospitality here was wonderful. People from the town would walk up to you and welcome you, ask if you needed anything.