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!