Is it Chicken or Cinnamon Bites???

There's something about the first day of RAGBRAI. You just can't describe it unless you experience it!!  But before we go on to today, let's go back to last night 

We were probably buttoned up in our tents by 9:30. We were tired and anticipating the the start!  Apparently one guy had a little too much fun and we were awoken to violent puking...awesome. It felt like it went on forever. And just when we got back to sleep it started again. No idea who it was....but he had a rough night!!

We also realized that our tents were too close to the porta potties because they smelled...this hasn't happened before. Plus the generator for 5:00 am coffee was a bit much. Mental note we will not camp close to these things tonight. 

The morning was perfect for riding. Great to watch the sunrise with thousands of other bikers. We got pancakes from our favorite vendor in the first town 12 miles in!  Shortly after that they had mile of silence to honor cyclists who had been injured or killed in this last year. Everyone turned off their stereos and was quiet for the mile. It was good reminder of how lucky we are to do something we love. 

As we were riding into our next town we had some pretty tough headwinds and next thing we know we are the leads of a draft line so we decided to try a little shake and bake to get these boys to do their own work! We had one stage 5 clinger who was riding a fat tire bike and would not budge! We pulled him for about 7-8 miles and as we got to the next meeting town he said thanks for the pull ladies...umm how about you come and take the lead in the pace line next time! 

Our next stop was in Primghar (the only one in the world-see the places your bike can take you)...the theme of this town was mustaches! How can you not have fun in a town like that! We went into the court house, walked through the mister fan and talked to one of the volunteers about the theme of mustaches (all of the town's founders rocked the stache)....Dorice then spotted what she was convinced was cinnamon roll bites on a stick when in reality I'm pretty they were pieces of chicken! I won't dash dreams on RAGBRAI but I was concerned she was becoming delirious! I'm telling you...they were cinnamon bites!!

As we rode on we came across signs for FREE sweet corn ahead so of course we stopped, it's Iowa, it's corn, and it's RAGBRAI! We sat at a table with a couple from Missouri and it was their first time on RAGBRAI! As we discussed how great sweet corn is but that the only downside was the need for dental floss when you are done...so the guy across the way then tells us that they give out toothpicks and then proceeded to give his used toothpick to Dorice....she declined....but he still put it on her plate but he said he broke off the end he used bahahaha such an awkward moment! Sooooo awkward! I love that Stacey never takes off her helmet...safety first when eating corn!!

We replaced toothpick couple with members from Team Air Force. If you're faithful readers, you know this our favorite team. But for our new followers Team Air Force has about 130 riders and they make it their mission to enjoy RAGBRAI and help any stranded cyclist along the way. They are not allowed to finish the ride before 2:00 pm and they have to be in camp by 5:00. On the first day the ride out of town in formation 2x2. We didn't see it but we have seen the ride into the finish together. Today one of the guys who is a first timer said it was pretty emotional as everyone cheered and saluted them. These guys were fun to talk to. Stacey is convinced I need to find a guy on RAGBRAI so we've decided Air Force members are a good option!  I struck up a conversation with them, but I guess Stacey wanted me to ask one out right there!! Let's not be fooled by her conversation skills...she missed a great opportunity! Apparently as her wing woman it's my job to do the work but not so much! Let's take a poll....don't you think the wing woman should help more?!?

Next town was where we were going to have lunch...we were both hungry and needed something of substance at this point. As we rolled into town there was a mom and 2 kids selling pickles without hesitation I said I needed one! A fantastic dill pickle complete with lots of pickle juice was just what I needed! We both settled on a pulled pork sandwich for lunch and Dorice got some pie (strawberry rhubarb) from the church ladies complete with a free scoop of ice cream!!! She was pumped some minor pie critique but overall a solid piece. After this we rolled on to our final leg of the journey before the ending town. 

As we pedaled down the road I could tell Dorice needed a pick me up so I sang her a new song entitled God Bless Iowa...I do some of my best performances during RAGBRAI and I write all my own lyrics it's amazing what pedaling along cornfields will do to someone! As we were riding along I told Dorice that she needs to learn to beatbox so that towards the end of the week as we are climbing crazy hills we can rap up them...as she was laughing about it she told some random guy on the road that I was talking to him, he said he was in for beatboxing and then told his friend he needed to look up what that was! 

Shortly after this we encountered a male cyclist in a cat jersey no worries we got a picture it was quite the sight! Then we passed a guy and he passed us again, but when we passed him the 2nd time he said, "are you guys sponsored?"  Now I should have said yes, but I said no....just representing our tri team!!  

Next stop was the craft beer tent in search of Roger no luck on day 1 but we will continue to look! No beers were consumed today at the craft beer stop but I'm sure that will change as the week goes on! It looks like a bike graveyard at the beer stops!  And this isn't even a fourth of them!! 

We then headed for our final stretch into Spencer our overnight town. Found our campsite and started to put up our tents. It was very windy at this point and after we got Dorice's tent up, I suggested that she stake it down before we put mine up she said it would be fine but sure enough we had to chase down a run away tent! After tents were up the next order of business was to take a shower! Always one of the best feelings on RAGBRAI. We showered at the middle school and the first person we saw, we asked if they knew Beth Druvenga. Of course they did!  Marcy and Kent Nelson were super nice and pointed us in the right direction for a shower. Beth is sort of a superstar around here. We showered at her middle school, saw the statue to her at the high school, and drove by her church!!  The shower was GLORIOUS!! It was a individual shower and not freezing cold!!  

When we were walking back from the shower several people said we were looking clean and they needed directions...that's always a good thing when people think you're clean!  We also saw our friend Ralph from a couple years ago. His son in law Grant is with him so we talked to them and then let them finish setting up their tent. We love Ralph!!

Tents...let's talk about them. Yes mine flew away but let's be honest it went about 5 feet. It isn't like Stacey ran a half mile to get it!!  My tent is small, Stacey's is huge, and then we have this....the Taj Mahal of tents.... I hope there is more than one person in this thing!!

We decided to hit up the first Congressional Church for dinner. They were serving beef or pork, cheesy potatoes, green beans, and pie...sounded like a winner!!  Well....they had a bit of a scheme going on. It was $13 for meat,potatoes, and beans. And then $5 if you wanted pie....WHAT THE HECK?!?  $5 for a piece of pie??  We passed on pie. It was a good meal, but a little pricey. So we came back to camp and started eating again!  We're hungry all the time!!

For the day we completed 66 miles!  We're feeling good and we're both doing our rehab exercises!!  Looking forward to another day of fun tomorrow!  Mr. Porkchop day!!  Since we get to entertain all of you, we'd love to hear from you guys. Comments keep us entertained as well!!