Stronger Every Day

    Days 6 and 7 of RAGBRAI were a chance to really fly.  We knew we were close enough to the finish to push a little harder and not be too spent to make it all the way to Fort Madison.  We also were all feeling a stronger thanks to the previous 5 days of riding.  The roads were good and it was great fun to open up the throttle between towns.  One of my favorite sections was flying with a contingent of the Air Force Team for a few miles.

     

    The temperatures were markedly cooler and we were feeling good getting progressively earlier starts.  Wake up, have a little coffee and a banana then ride 10 or 20 miles to breakfast or iced coffee.

   Ride another 10 or 20 miles, stopping in route for pie, or some sort of food on a stick or more water.  

    There was live music and lots of dancing in some of the towns.  

    There was almost always something interesting to see.

    Bonaparte was a particularly pretty little town with a live band that could be heard from the park, up to the Des Moines River.  

 

   This small town is where the Mormon's crossed the river headed to Utah and it is still home to Amish families.  (Most of our pie was made by the Amish.)

    

    

    After Bonaparte, it was a short 30 miles to the Mississippi River.  I stopped a couple times to take a picture or two of some Iowa scenery.

    

   

  

   There was brief call of nature stop - and photo of a RAGBRAI bathroom.

    Of course, everyone had to stop at RAGBRAI mountain to take a photo.  In fact, it was nearly impossible to take a picture of just the people you knew, because it was such a silly popular photo opportunity.  

   The next stop was under 4 miles away - the Mississippi River for a quick tire dunk, a tour of Fort Madison, a little music and off to a celebratory team toast.  

   

     Team Ridgway finished RAGBRAI feeling stronger every day!  Before we could pack up and head for home, we were contemplating what to do next.  Nick is planning a 500 mile back packing trek in August and September while the rest of us are contemplating a three day tour of the eastern plains of Colorado in September.  I am contemplating the Tanana River Challenge next March in Fairbanks. (Chris, Janet ... are you game?)