June 5, 2007

June 5 Watseka, Illinois - Wabash, Indiana 128 miles

Yipee for Indiana! Yipee for a flat landscape! Yipee for a little drafting off of the van!

Dick became intimate with the back doors of the trailer while drafting for a few miles. The roads are narrow all day long, quiet, and full of forever views. The road signs seem to be easier to understand here in this state and instead of corn all day long, there are intermitent fields of corn, soy beans and rye (we think).

We end the day with rolling hills into Wabash on the Wabash River.

June 4, 2007

June 4th Henry, Illinois – Watseka, Illinois 120miles

Tailwinds in their favor as we crossed the Illinois River turn after turn on back roads. All along the way the shadows are dancing across the cornfields, making for some nice pictures. They bike right on through one bustling meteropolis of 1000 people after another.
I got the privelage to ride the last 25 miles in the downpoor on our last leg toWatseka.

Super 8 tonight and canned spaghetti for dinner at the local family restaurant. Yum

June 3, 2007

June 3rd Muscatine,Iowa - Henry, Illinois 125 miles

“Wind Gods are favorable today…corn fields as far as the eye could see” –Dick

“The prettiest view to date” Bill

Out biking today in his home town area was a man named Frank Beshears. As we got to talking, I learned that he is a cancer survivor, a ‘pro-follower’ and very interested in what we were doing. Frank had Hodgkins lymphoma and was one of the first 150 people to receive a stem cell transplant. He loves the bike and plans to bike across country in ’09 lymphoma.

Today we finally got to cross the Mississippi River on our way out of Muscatine and into Illinois. A nice flat ride all the way into the Henry Harbor Inn overlooking the Illinois River. A very lovely Leanne was so nice to sponsor us a room at this Inn that her and her late husband built.

June 2 2007

June 2nd

Rest Day –

Dick and I got in a short ride to stretch our legs. We spun out 35 miles in the wonderful Iowan roads.

The town of Muscatine is putting itself back together after the storm, as the boys continue to put themselves back together for a row of centuries ahead.

Muscatine is known for it’s button making factories way before pearl buttons had any idea that plastic was on its way. The factory that overlooks the Mississippi River is now a restaraunt with a great atmostphere displaying remnance of the machines and the famous pearl bottons themselves. This is where we have dinner and talk about the of the racing world of cycling.

June 1, 2007

June 1, 2007 Sigourney - Muscatine 12 miles
*Our best wishes to Pat Kerber who we missed this morning*

It's off to a cloudy start with lightning and thunder on the assist. We wait it out a while since the lightning is a bit scary to ride along side. The riders opted for a safe way into Muscatine by way of the van and not more than a few minutes after our arrival, did the tornado siren sound. It sounded again soon after, telling the tornado had passed. Ignorantly, we drove off to the bike shop for supplies when we realized parts of the town had been destroyed - windows blown, roof tops gone, trees ripped away, semi trucks tipped on their sides, and the less fortunate lost everything. Only injuries reported with a big mess to clean up.

The photo's at Harpers Cyclery should give a brief idea of how the encounter went at the bike shop and how involved the owner is with his passion. Both he and his son are wonderful to us as they put their souls into their profession.

Our hosts for this evening are Bob and Sandy Hayes who are avid cyclists (as is their son Chris and daughter Heather) and share more stories of RAGBRAI, a common dinner theme in these parts. We forcefully sip Pinot Noir and choke down the gooey chocolate chip cookies straight from the oven. A terrible place to spend the night, we are finding out. *smirk* Queen kitty Ruby has it rough too.

May 31st, 2007

May 31, 2007 Des Moines - Sigourney 105

Jeff, now my favorite person, takes me to a local coffee shop and bakery to get some baked goods. He joins us for the first 30 miles of the day with the shining sun and not a breeze to speak of. The trio rolls up and down and up and down the hills of Iowa.

As soon as we pass the hub-bub of the city, we follow corn field after cornfield. There is a sense of contentment coming from within each small community we pass. Men on mowers, young girls on a teeter totter who pause to climb the hood of a car and frantically wave at the bikers, cats stalking in the flower beds, and every once in a while, a cyclist puttering around.

Some strange cafe with a drink they call coffee and an equally strange smell coming off the fields. We can't wait for the corn crops to be ready for melted butter. Yum! On to the cool town of Sigourney which has a true town square and was named after the Northeastern poet.

As soon as we arrive, the boys are corralled for a quick interview before heading to our hosts home. We are entertained by Phil and Cyrenna Buschmann with stories of their ride across the country and the drama that was likely to tag along. They are both avid cyclists and of course participate in RAGBRIA, as do many cyclists from around the world. This ride really defines Iowans great sense of togetherness. Over 10,000 riders through Iowa - that's alot of bikers. In all seriousness, you can really hear the impact it has on the voices who tell of it...so many people to get to know, so much fun to have, and so much beer to drink (so we hear). All of these people sharing the same passions, their triumphs and losses, and sometimes sharing a piece of floor to sleep on.

After stories of RAGBRAI, we played 'best day-worst day' on a bike and pretty much came to the conclusion that hey, a bad day on the bike is better than a great day at work. These trips can be ever life changing - or life jarring, depending on how many rumble strips you ride. It's a pleasant experience here a the Buschmann's as the team turns in for the evening.

Thank you Cyrenna and Phil for keeping us fed and energized for yet another day. Your home and town are something to be quite proud of.

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.