May 30, 2007

May 30, 2007 Missouri Valley - Des Moines (Grimes) 103

Today we finally leave the Lewis & Clark Trail and head east. We also leave the Missouri River and the beauty behind.

What a pretty valley and nicely manicured lawns. (the things you notice while travelling 15 mph) The houses are old and characterized by old bicycles with flowers growing in their baskets and old wagon wheels posted near mailboxes. Fat, juicy rhubarb encircles the gardens to keep the deer away. It makes our mouths water for pie and ice cream ala mode. A little rain today and a lot of corn. We HAVE corn!!!

We are staying with the Corcoran family tonight in Des Moines in a gorgeous 1922 home with their 2 kids Fox and Connelly, 2 dogs, and one cat. Apparently, little kitty enjoys laying on the power strip to this computer and prefers it in the 'off' position. Too funny. The family is a fan of the Tyler Hamilton Foundation and when we arrive, the kids are both decked out in the THF jerseys. They cook us the famous Iowa smoked pork chops while we chug, uhem, sip red wine. As I write this, the riders and the Corcorans share stories around the kitchen table, both sad and silly alike.

May 29, 2007

May 29, 2007 Sioux City - Missouri Valley 68 miles


It's hard to leave the plush beds at the Shortenhaus' home in the country but the miles must be done now or never. There are more headwinds today but the guys say it's an easy day of flatness. One 'zit' to climb between Sioux City and Missouri Valley and that's about it. We pass through Amana and many more podunk, cute towns.
So many flags still flutter halfway up their masts, telling us the headwinds still exist.

"It doesn't blow as much as it blew before" -Bill

I got to bike the last 18 miles. Yeehaa! I just love the headwinds. Bring-it-on! Into Missouri Valley we go...NOT a biker friendly town, by the way.

Many thanks to Dannette at the Super 8 for sponsoring us a room here in Missoula Valley.

May 28, 2007

May 28, 2007 Vermillion, SD - Sioux City, Iowa 38 miles

It's Memorial Day...flags are at half mast today and we pass beautiful cemeteries and small, white churches on the back roads, decked out with flags and fresh flowers poking out all around. It truley is touching as we pass by - How many stories lie behind these graves...

Today we have great company...Justin & Andrew who are brothers, Joe, Angie, and Kevin who was so gracious to let us crash at his house. Our team grew from just 2 up to 7 and they had a liesurely day of 38 miles into Sioux City. I abandoned my crew to help a Father-Son team (unsupported) get a broken bike to the nearest bike shop. Our crew had a great lunch at Penera's Bread where we soon had to say our goodbyes, stock up on recovery drink mix, and head to our next hosts Leon and Ruth Shortenhause - an absolutely lovely couple who allowed us to take over the laundry area, made us pizza, and gave us a cozy place to sleep.

Tonight Brad from local TV Station came to the house for a quick caption which we finally got to catch on the 6 o'clock news. We are famous for a second or two. Yet another chance to promote the 'Power of the Bike'!!

It's almost too peaceful tonight so I guess we will drift off and dream of 30mph headwinds tomorrow. This town is a 'must come back to town' for sure!

May 27, 2007

This morning, we opened the door to the hotel room and we saw the truck with the decal 'Believe' on it. Must be an Omen. The THF motto! See photo of truck

May 27, 2007 Pickstown - Vermillion 101

The morning starting out with some inspiration from Algreg, a 10 year old happy-go-lucky boy, who has MS. He was excited to tour Dick and Bill around his neighborhood on his 3-wheeler. (see photo's of Al). We met Al's Dad at dinner the previous evening when he told us of his son. We were all glad to have met them both on our journey. Al was anxious to show us something before we left. He walked up the street a ways with the use of his crutches, then turned around, lifted his crutches in the air and paced along without them. He grinned from ear to ear as we teared up. Believe!!! What a kid!

Today must be the quietest day yet. Winds at only about 5 miles per hour as a headwind still makes for a peaceful rolling ride...an occasional car but mainly the birds for company and song.

"A casual day today" -Dick

Tonight we will stay with Kevin Brady and his family in Vermillion. Thank you for your hospitality and sharing your family with us!!! Your kids are absolutely wonderful! Kevin is not only a biker who will join us tomorrow, but the team leader for the MS 150 ride. He will lead the team tomorrow.

May 26, 2007

May 26, 2007 Chamberlain - Pickstown - Miles 117

A nice 3 mile climb out of Chamberlain this A.M. says Bill. My thoughts exactly - from the van. We crossed the Missouri twice more today, not to be without menacing hills along side. The boys motored along at a great pace with an even nicer tailwind.

This is the day the mother board quits on us and the blog will be behind a bit.

Here in Pickstown, you can walk the fort grounds and view the remains of a chapel that the soldiers built.

"On any good day there's apt to be a sucky moment...but all in all it's a great day." -Dick

May 26th - Technical Difficulties

Scot here again. This afternoon I recieved a phone call from Cassandra, asking me to make a quick post to explain to everyone why we haven't heard from the THF Coast to Coast team for a couple days: their laptop appears to have fried it's brain. According to tech support the new parts have been express-shipped to intercept the team by Tuesday (Murphy's law dictates these crises happen over holiday weekends). If all goes according to plan we should begin seeing posts from Cassandra, Dick & Bill by the end of this coming week.
As for the riding, the team is making good progress. After a couple grueling days fighting a strong headwind, their luck did a 180 and they have since enjoyed an almost equally strong tailwind. Today the team covered 117 miles from Chaimberlain to Pickstown, SD. While encouraged by their progress, all are nevertheless looking forward to a rest day coming soon.
Until the team regains their internet access, updates will be sporadic at best - and no pictures, sorry. Hang tough. Stay tuned. And if you know any prayers that work for computers, start saying them now.
-- Scot Auld.
Sandpoint, Idaho.

May 23, 2007

May 23, 2007 Bismarck to Mobridge - 130 miles

“…every man’s daydream of ordinary men doing extraordinary, improbable things”

The headwinds are hurling today at about 25-30 miles per hour and the riders are working hard to keep the bikes in motion. Although, the scenery makes up for any weariness. The terrain is sprawling along the Missouri River where the Lewis and Clark Expedidtion was introduced to the sage grouse and we are having no lack of the birds around here.

This quote from ‘The Saga of Lewis & Clark’ should sum up the surreal sights throughout our day; “The radiant wildflowers bob in the angled sunlight, and long shadows stretch across the land, revealing every fold and undulation among the smooth, grassy hills that line the river.” Over and over again, the bikers top out over the dome shaped hills only for the others to be revealed. (see photo)

Today the riders took to the van for a few miles of refuge. The miles they did put in sure felt like 130... so, ‘let’s call it good’. The winds were just too straining to push ahead without a rest.

Tonight we stay at the Best Wrangler Value Inn on the Missouri again. The manager, Pat, is excited about our adventure and signs our van with pleasure. It’s a great hotel and again, a beautiful town on the river.

“This may very well just be the best day of my life!” - Dick

Note: To our readers, you can enlarge the photos to get a better idea - expressions tell a thousand words.