We intended to roll out a camp as an entire group today and we were mostly successful in doing so but had a minor hiccup while getting onto the route for the day. Ray couldn’t get clipped into his pedal since it was all mucked up with dirt so he stopped to take care of that so we waited for him on a corner but after some time when we didn’t see him Jamie went back to find him since we thought if it was taking this long then he must have a mechanical problem..we’ll Jaime couldn’t find Ray but he did find Pauly so we decided to roll on. Since there we several ways out of town we suspect that Ray turned off of the road we were on before getting to the spot where we were riding.
The first town was pretty crowded and didn’t really have anything we wanted for breakfast but we did make a stop at the church in town as some of us needed water and some just needed a quick snack. I’m pretty sure the guy collecting the money despite having a price sheet was just making things up. We had breakfast in the 2nd town, they were these mini Dutch pancakes (Poffergies) and some fresh blueberries...man did I need some fruit in my life! After a some fuel in the system we went on our way. At this point we still had no idea where Ray was.
The day of SFG
We rode for some time together before I split off from the group to stay on the route for the day as they went for some bonus miles. In the next town of Montezuma I did some shopping for bridesmaid dresses, had a burger in the town square while listening to this dude playing a tuba...I think playing on RAGBRAI was a highlight of his summer! As I was getting ready to pedal on I came across the best roadside lemonade stand that a 4 y/o could run! She was calling out for customers, had fresh lemons in her fancy containers and had your cup ready to go, not only was she awesome but totally a ham for a picture and then even took a picture of me with my lemonade on my phone and she took a picture of the random guy behind me in line too...she was fantastic and her proceeds were being donated to the local animal rescue.
Next in Deep River I made a new friend George who is from Gettysburg PA and is on his 11th RAGBRAI. We chatted at the Iowa corn tent while he had some corn and I had some watermelon...he said he has a friend who rides too but who is more the party his way through the week type-he even said he is not sure if his friend brings a change of cycling clothes...gross! After chatting with George it was time to pedal on as there was one more stopping town before the end town. At first I just thought I need some time off the bike in this last town but as I came into town there kids were selling giant freezy pops and well never pass up a popsicle on RAGBRAI had to be followed. They had quite the operation going and just a heads up if the oldest kid goes to get you change you then get the job of cutting the top off of everyone’s ice pop! Hey at least they trusted me with scissors that is more than I can say for some. It was just what I needed to the end the day and head to the final camp...so the day of SFG was a great one! Two more days of riding to keep my leg attached...I might just make it! ...pictures will be posted later for Stacey’s day because we don’t have great service to get them to my phone!
Day of Dorice...ever since I signed up for RAGBRAI this year I wanted to the do the extra century loop. This is when more miles are added to the normal route so you can ride 100 miles in the day. I have never done a century so I thought it be fitting that my first be on RAGBRAI! Since we knew Stacey’s hip couldn’t handle the extra miles we split up. Some of the Philly boys were planning to do it so I wasn’t totally solo.
The search for Ray continued ubtil the ride split into two groups. We waited for quite a while at the loop start hoping to find him but to no avail. Ed had gone on already so Pauly Jamie and I started the loop. When you do the century loop you get a special patch. They gave us the patch only 7 miles in to the extra 36....seems a bit premature, but oh well. I actually didn’t even look at it when I got it because I hadn’t earned it yet. We just got some water in New Sharon because we were still on the hunt for Ray.
As we left New Sharon we had nasty head winds. I mean not fun...have to pedal downhill winds. Jamie and Pauly helped pull me through some of them but many times I couldn’t keep up, plus it was super early and I didn’t want to burn out my legs. While riding in these amazing winds we had a spotting of Majestic mullet!! He was taking picture of the landscape. So wenknownhe started the loop, but I didn’t see him in camp! We eventually got a little reprieve on the winds but there weren’t any towns for food, so it was tough. Hydration was key today!
When we finished the loop we still had about 40 miles to go. We had told Ed earlier that we would all meet at Mr. pork Chop on our second time by. I was HUNGRY but a pork chop just didn’t sound great then so I had Thelma’s ice cream instead.
After a little break in the shade we all decided to roll on. The guys were tired and I was just ready to get moving again! As we left we had some awesome tailwind! I was loving it and moving at a good clip. My legs felt great and I was ready to roll. I made it to Montezuma before the boys so I took the opportunity to get a picture to prove I was there and sunscreen up....man we go through a lot of sunscreen! Ed showed up first and then the other two. The boys really wanted grilled cheese but I couldn’t do it so I had some legit cherry pie from the Methodist Church...they come though again! I think we can officially take the Methodists off probation now. This wasn’t cherry pie filling...this was grow cherries in your back yard pie!!
We saw Shaun and Kayla leaving Montezuma and they had just finished the loop as well. It was Kayla’s first century! Congrats Kayla! I really wasn’t hungry and just wanted to pedal on so I told the boys I didn’t plan on stopping at the next town. I’m glad I told them as we were leaving because shortly after we left town they ended up in a pace line. I was with them for a bit and then just like that they were gone. I couldn’t hang. I later found out that they were going 28-29 mph...so yeah not going to keep up! Jamie dropped back too so at this point I just pedaled on. I felt great and the tail wind was a great help!!
At this point there were about 22 miles left so I decided I was just going to power them out. I was having a great ride day and my legs felt fresh. I figured Pauly and Ed were still in front and they’d beat me back to camp. But as I’m going down a hill I passed Ed. He saw me and we chatted a bit. The only thing I was stopping for was a pickle!! By the time I got to Keswick I absolutely needed that pickle. I got one and I was on my way. I ran into Ed again and he said to go on because he needed to get a slushee. 9 miles Togo and I’d be back to camp. It after that when I finally found Ray...back at camp! Whomp whomp....he beat us back! But I did arrive to something else glorious.....Stacey had set up my tent!! Yay thanks buddy! That was a very clutch move and much appreciated. Word on the street is Ray helped her do it. Thanks Ray! The boys all came in about the same time. They met up for Beekman’s ice cream!!
Overall it was a good day! I got in my first century, I felt great doing it and I had some tasty treats. What more can you ask for?? It was a tough day of wind and hills for sure. Over 4500 feet of climbing. Thankfully the temperature wasn’t too bad but the sun was strong. God bless sunscreen!!
Mullet Update—-I saw the most AMAZING mullet today in one of the towns. Nobody was there to witness it and I couldn’t get a picture so you'll just have to believe me. It’s by far the best I’ve seen and gives Majestic a run for his money!
Farm Camp update - Gabs is loving camp. She especially likes to go check cows at the pasture! I think Bria is a good mentor!! While Gabs loves farm camp I think she’d also love RAGBRAI! Today I saw thrrr dogs being pulled along. I think we could rig up something for her for next year. She’d need an umbrella though...she hates sun!!! Gotta get the girl some shade! 
I think this could be the perfect set up for her. She’s have her head out checking out all the things!Vince update. He hasn’t kissed a pig yet but he did go on a fishing expedition...that’s all we’re saying about that!
We’re beat so we’re ending for now. More on all the gloriousness around camp later!
So would that have been fishing for more beauty queens????
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