We rolled into Melbourne where the boys had watermelon and we had pickles. We then had some cool picture opportunities like sitting on an old tractor like a 5 y/o kid.
As we got ready to roll out of Melbourne we thought we had lost the boys but as we walking through to get back on the bike there was Ed, Jamie, and Pauly eating a Thelma’s ice cream sandwich...never a bad choice! So we waited for them to finish and then went on. The boys had committed to getting Mr. Porkchop today since the new guys hadn’t had it yet...so 4 miles out of town we got to our destination of Mr. Pork Chop. There was an excellent guy singing and it was a great spot so we hung out for awhile. The boys got their first pork chop and we had Thelma’s! We also ran into our Air Force friend Steve from last year. When we chatted over corn last year he was getting ready to retire from the AF but he told us today he signed on for one more additional year so he said when we see him on RAGBRAI next year it should be as a retired from the AF. Who knew you could bond with someone so much over an ear of corn!
Since we were all on the struggle bus we chilled for awhile! Stacey, Ed, Jamie, and Pauly left because they were feeling the leg stiffness set in. Ray, Vince and I hung back to chill a bit longer. We wanted to listen to the singer more but he was taking a break. So we rolled out at well. Little did we know what was in store for us. Lots of hills!! Like I’m tired of riding you hills! Like my butt hurts hills! Like I’m tired of this wind hills! When we got about 6 miles from Newton we saw it....exactly what we needed on this struggle bus day! A GIANT SLIP AND SLIDE and a zip line!!
Even though it was a cloudy day we all went down the slip and slide and a few of the boys did the zip line! It was a great way to end our day!!
Our campsite tonight is awesome! We have food, showers, and a band all right where we are camping. Now the showers are COLD. Not just cold...but ice bath out of shower head cold!! But we didn’t have to wait and we walked about 15 feet to get to it!! Plus they supply a towel so no need to hang ours out to dry tonight!
Last night after family dinner some of us headed downtown to take in the entertainment. We knew that we would have a good chance of seeing Roger as Ames is his old stomping ground as he played football at Iowa State despite him being a cyclone we still love Roger! Sure enough we ran into Roger and his wife Theresa (last year known in the blog as Roger’s lady friend-congrats guys!). Unfortunately Larry was back at their camp site so we didn’t get to see him but we are happy to report that he still packs his pajamas and has added a flower towel instead of his flower pillow case to his packing list this year. We love Larry and hope that we may run into him on the ride still.
Today we give a special shout out to Carlos who is here with us in spirit as Jaime is using all of his camping gear and we really appreciate the camp chair! Thanks Carlos...but we really need to work on Jamie’s packing skills so next time a more specific list for him amy be helpful! Carlos this blog is written from your chair many times!! Don’t worry Carlos your chair is being well taken care of tonight. It’s sleeping in Stacey’s tent so it doesn’t get wet!
Majestic Mullet Update: Majestic joined our tent area last night but he not only joined but basically put his bags right on top of Jamie’s stuff. We think he was trying to make it an apartment complex for the two of them. We have learned that he wears the same cycling gear everyday (we hope he washes it) and he has only one bag that is similar to a large backpack and that is it! His hair is still on point after all the miles of riding and that is a true testament to how truly majestic his mullet is. No new mullet sightings in general today but we still have 3 days of riding left!
Another reason we are on the struggle bus is because most everyone has lost something or struggled in the past 24 hrs. Vince lost his prescription glasses and his famous white hat!! Pat you’ll love that the hat is gone. Jamie lost his glasses but luckily we had the same Uber driver twice and he found them the second ride. Ray lost his glasses, gravel patch and phone cord. Luckily he has found them all. They were all in his bag that he had searched “so many frickin times”! I have lost my beloved tent stake. Now this stake has been with me for four ragbrais and it’s a little special as it was bent!! Very bent!! But it worked and I miss it! Stacey hasn’t lost anything accept maybe her mind. She was so excited about seeing a pig so Vince could see it. When we looked further that “pig” was clearly a dog!!! Ed hasn’t lost anything but I think he was in a food coma today! Paul bought women’s chamois cream today! We should have let him go with it but we told him so he could exchange it. Needless to say our team struggle bus has made for a lot of laughs!!
The best part of the day was when my college friend Stephanie came to hang out with us at camp tonight. She brought her two little ones June and Gabe as well. It took a while for them to warm up to us but Ray bribed them with cookies, Paul was hanging with Gabe and Vince was in his element. We thought Gabe might take his first steps at Ragbrai but it didn’t happen!! As you can see June was pumped to have her picture taken!!
We are currently finishing up the blog while waiting out a thunderstorm in the building next to our tent. Some rain and lightning so we decided to be safe. But don’t worry we learned from earlier this week and all our stuff is packed up nice in our tents and the rain fly is on!!
😘 Had so much fun with you guys!
ReplyDeleteGreat Pic of Vince going down the slip and slide. Find that pig for him to kiss!!!!!
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