Day 20 & 21- Colfax to Mount Pleasant, IA to Pekin, IL

Well, where to begin - it's a toss up as last night had I of posted it probably would have been a raw emotional thing....but today I'm way better. So, lets get yesterday out of the way and end on the high points of today...

Day 20- Colfax to Mount Pleasant, IA
Yesterday (Friday) started out with lots of clouds and a rain storm on the way. So, I packed my rain coat in with the truck, my light one is always with me. Susan and I started out together and sure enough the rain started within the first 10 miles, light at first but by the time we got to the first stop it was a steady light rain. So, I put my rain coat on and thought I might regret it as it tends to get hot and sticky. But, I was soon glad that I had it on as the rain steadily got worse. We rode on and the thunder started following us along with some far off lightening. Yes, I did say lightening - I have two fears - one is being struck by lightening. Thankfully, the rain wasn't cold at first and we made it to the second sag with the lightening only 13 seconds behind us - apparently there is a calculation that you can do to see how far away the 'real' storm is. I didn't care, I was very hesitant to go back out in it with that dang lightening, but after a few snickers bars (What?!they are mini!) We headed out. About 10 miles away Susan looked down and realized she had a flat - dang it! So we headed to the nearest drive way and against my better judgment under a tree. We tried to get her tire changed but it was so weird it was almost crumpled to the rim. I tried calling the caravan to let them know to stop and give us a head but got vmail - they were cleaning up from the last stop. We wrestled with that thing for almost 20 minutes! I was watching for the caravan to go by and finally saw them coming and ran to the road to flag them down at the same time Susan finally got the tire off the rim. Carl pulled in and helped finish getting the tire on and was pumping it up when suddenly, "POW!". The tube burst again, so he had Greg get another wheel down and we swapped them out. Come to find out later the tire was full of glass. Susan looked longingly at the van, but there was no room in it for us to move up as there were already people sagging, plus I didn't want to. There is a saying here "EFI" - I was an "EFI" Every 'Flippin' Inch - so there was no way I was sagging. So off we went.
As we rode on the storm had hit were we were and we were in the lightening, thunder and down pours. As we rode up hills the water just poured down and as vehicles passed it was like a wall of water and debris would hit and you'd almost be stopped. The worst was when the pig truck went by and we were splattered by it. EWWW!!!! We couldn't have been more miserable!
By the time we made the lunch stop - everyone but the crew was gone and we were cold! They got us our meatballs and pasta and we shook off the chill as we ate. Susan's fiance, Dale met her there and I knew she would ride forward with him. I however, had no intention of sagging. But, as I finished up, Susan N (owner) started questioning me and more than strongly suggesting that I get 'bumped' forward. I couldn't help it but the tears started, I had survived a flippin' storm and now was being told I had to get moved forward in order to stay on track. I was devastated. I wasn't happy about it but finally agreed, after all, Dale had said he could barely see me when he was driving down the road. So, there....I was no longer EFI. It sucked.....but the rest of the group wasn't that far ahead and I only went forward 14 miles. My rational is this - Craig and I had already got in 12 extra miles on day 2, so now all I need is 2 more miles to back on the 'Modified EFI'. But, I was extremely bummed about it yesterday.
To top it off the rest of the ride was of course guilt ridden - I know, I know a wasted emotion. Not today, I'm off the pity party and on to the rest of the journey. There are some funny pictures of a crazy mud pit we had to cross. I also got to ride with Scott for awhile which was nice since I had been alone for a little bit playing 'catch up'
The good thing was after the tears and people coming up to me to console me - I had a wonderful massage - it made me feel better. Besides, it was a 141 mile day and I did 127 miles.

Day 21 - Mount Pleasant, IA to Pekin, IL

Well, after a nights rest - yesterday didn't seem so devastating and I was ready to ride and prove that I wasn't 'sag material'. I was the first one in line at the trailer and out the door and on my bike. Paul was back in the saddle and was shocked, he was like don't go anywhere - I said - sorry Paul - I'm taking no chances! It was a beautiful morning and cool. We rode into Madison, IA and got to see Old Fort Madison and the great big Mississippi River - wow! That was cool, plus we crossed it on an old bridge that had a car deck above the rail area - so cool!
We also passed into Illinois today - so incredible how far we've come. Greg commented on the scenery that it wasn't all corn and soy beans - then we turned a corner and guess what? Corn and soy beans! The roads today were much better and a lot of it reminded me of Michigan the meadows and farms. Paul did catch me at a light, we along with Greg and Mark rode together - it was really fun and went quick the first stop at 30-something miles came up quick. Mark is back in the saddle and riding very strong too! We passed some great barns and grainaries too. It's weird to say that 136 miles went 'fast' but it did - we cruised along pretty steadily and kept a decent pace. There was a road that we were on that was 'closed' and we pretty much had it all to ourselves, we realized that it was closed because a big hunk of it was missing so we had a little mt. biking to do! The funny thing was that at the end there was a huge Caterpillar digger at the end that we went under - I wish I had a picture of that!! (it was just parked)
We came in through Pekin and they were having a big Cruiser nite - so tons of cool cars everywhere. Once in I went through my normal routine and met Michelle's friend who rode from Chicago to meet up with her - incredible, right?! So, she will ride with us tomorrow. Then I met Scott for dinner at the Italian place next door and wound up meeting up with Jerry, Rick, Bob, Ernie, Jim too - it was a fun and relaxing dinner - the first in awhile. Typically, I'm rushing so much that I have to inhale my dinner to make it to a massage or to finish my laundry and prep for the next day.
Tomorrow is another long day - 136 miles, we get a shorter day in 3 days thank goodness!!

July 30
Look at that huge smile on Cov's face! (Cov and Cynthia)

Mike washing his shoes off after the mud slog
Rick carrying his bike - no shoes of coures - mud clogs up your cleats see above when you wear your shoes

Lunch stop - look at the puddled water

The start of the morning - Mark, Janae and Susan

Day 21

Old Ford Madison - look at that guy enjoying his Saturday morning

Really cool paddle boad on the Mississippi River - Casino anyone? (aka Jana)

Grainery

Crossing another state!!

Soy beans

Road Closed - Mt biking Open

Illinios scenery - look at the cool American Flag on top

Funny barn - like those two ran out of the barn and left those cut-outs

The Illinois River (that's two giant rivers in one day!)

Days 17, 18, 19 - Yes I know I'm Behind

Ok, a really quick re-cap of the last couple of days

Tues - July 27 - Mitchell to Vermillion SD
Today was a scorcher and supposedly our day of recovery at 115 miles.
We started out - Paul, Susan, Mark, Bob and I getting warmed up and headed out. By the time we got to the first stop at I think mile 29-ish- Mark didn't look so good. We encouraged him to drink lots of stuff and sit in the shade for a few to see how he'd do. He was very dehydrated and was having severe cramps - even in his arms. Veronica and Susan convinced him to sag for the day as he was really bad off and to top it off hadn't eaten dinner last night! If there is one thing that I'm learning it's to really take care of myself - eat and rest (the eat part - no prob but, I really need to up the rest part) So off we went and after lunch Susan started getting really bad from the heat - you are literally sweating buckets and you have to keep your electrolytes going. So we slowed down to a crawl and limped in but we all finally made it in. We got cleaned up and went next door to Cherry Cafe and I had a 'first' chicken fried steak - I must say it was yummy!! It even had gravy on it - it was basically just calories in - my vegetable was corn!

July 28 (Wed) - Vermillion, SD to Denison, IA
Today was rollers rollers rollers, constant. Today we also had a change, Paul took the sag today. When you ride this many miles this many days in a row - your body does some really weird things. You also get chafing or saddle sores - Paul was experiencing that and they must have been bad! Mine actually were doing great til today, I have some new ones. Since it was so hot I was putting ice in my sports bra - oh boy did that feel good but when it melted it got my shorts wet - soooooo...anyway. Susan and I started out together and got some great pics when we went into Iowa - another state! The last few days had taken a toll and Susan dropped back. I reached the first stop and she was about 2 miles back. I debated on waiting but if you stop too long your body goes into recovery mode and well, we still had 100 miles left - you don't want that - you start up and your legs are screaming at you. So, I told John to tell her I'd beg for forgiveness at lunch. Just as I was leaving she pulled up and we talked and she was cool with it - I didn't want any bad karma or to have 'bad form'!
As I rode on it was beautiful I lost count after 25 of all the monarch butterflies - we also saw a fox and spooked a rooster(pheasant) that flew out over the corn fields. I have some cool pictures of the Iowa corn fields below - they actually terrace the fields here (sorry no pics of that). It's 360 degrees of corn fields! Some of the farm equipment they use here you'd swear that you could ride right under it! I motioned to the farmer and he just shook his head "No", I really wasn't going to do it.
You know you are crossing the country when you go from rattlesnakes to gartner snakes (Sorry Kristi), free ranging livestock to fenced farms, no bugs to a field of glowing, glinting lightening bugs - purely amazing. it's also going way too fast. I'm getting a little melancholy already - but we still have 11 days and I am of course going to revel in each moment!

I had an hour with Jonathan today - remember he's my BFF/massage therapist! I can tell you I enjoy that WAAAAYYYY better than my bath tub of ice water!!! (Damn you Sue Bott!) I had to have my pasta dinner wrapped up to make it to my appt., but got lucky because after I met up with Micheal and Tom and had some wine with it - a great end to a great day!

Day 19 - Thurs - Denison to Colfax, IA
Today was much cooler! I wound up starting off by myself as Paul was off today and Susan wasn't moving so quickly (remember that line to get your stuff in the trailer, I was in the top 10 and I wanted to scoot - a long day with 133 miles) It was a very misty morning and just gorgeous - Denison is home to Donna Reed (she had a show and from It's a Wonderful Life) so we left out of Donna Reed Blvd. Neat, huh? We had some rollers to start off with again today, lots of cows and horses - when ever I go by them I always tell them 'good morning babies!' They love it!
We had some time constraints today and a few people got sagged forward, thankfully I didn't, but the road we were on today was horrible, I felt like I was in Michigan! It was very bumpy and uncomfortable. My left arm was really bothered by it and my feet too - crampy and going numb. Thankfully I got to lunch and guess what!? Susan had gotten CORN from a local farmer! YUMMY!!!
Back on the bike and onto a better county road with less traffic too. At the last stop I noticed Rick putting soda in his water bottle. I gotta admit something......I have drank more soda on this trip than I have in my whole adult life - all kinds, coke, diet coke, strawberry, rootbeer, something lightening - it's weird by afternoon nothing seems to quench the thirst. Ok back to my 'experiment' so I thought mmmmm....why not try it - uh oh!! I did and by the first few miles after I left the caffeine was kickin' in! My brain started saying - ok Cynthia left before you go catch her and after that Rick and then sprint into the end - well we were still 25 miles out! My brain was talking but my legs were having a hard time delivering! Well, I did catch Cynthia and I think I had imaginary riders in front of me as I swear I saw them climbing the rollers then when I'd reach the top they were gone again. This went on the whole way in and my legs were trying to respond - I swear I was doing a time trial the last bit - it was fun and thankfully burned all the caffeine out before anyone was subjected to my yammering!!
Oh, I received my new cleats and was getting help with it when Jim noticed that the anchor screw was coming apart and the plastic sole of the shoe was breaking. I thought - oh great! I have to wear my crappy spare pair and buy a new set when I get back. BUT, never fear Lon the master is here. Lon took it and re-anchored a new screw and fixed it right up - drill gun and all! He saved me like $200!! That guy is amazing!

Ok, I'm sorry to hear you girls aren't getting along at work, try and be nice to each other while I'm away! Even if Sue is boring and fat - try and make her feel better!! NO damn it I'm not HS skinny yet, but I do feel like I've lost weight - they say you shouldn't but I say to heck with that I am going too!!! It sounds like my friend Valerie will come and work with you while I'm gone too!! Thanks Bozeman for the words of encouragement too. Thanks everyone for the comments! Love em!!
Tomorrow more corn I presume!!!



July 27 (Tues)
Cicada - isn't huge? Looks like a giant horsefly to me There are so many windmills - at all these farms and homes all over - how did we get away from that?

Moo-Cow cooling off

Look at those cutie pie babies!

Another cool cemetery

The field of butterflies at lunch - but you can't see not one of them - there were tons!

Day 18 (Wed)
Another state down - entering Iowa

The roads of the day and yesterday - they just keep going and going....

Corn on Film (aka Girls on Film - Duran Duran)

The money shot - I waited all day for this shot - it looks so cool like the road is dropping off into the corn fields!

Farmer working

Yes, they are all my Faves!! (favorite) Of course - when I got into town there was a G Ave, H Ave, oopsie! I thought it was an omen.

Day 29 (Thursday)

Mark rearin' to go after getting his electrolytes back up! Way to go!!

Misty morning

Cynthia passing by in the fog....

Day 15 & 16 - Rapid City to Murdo to Mitchell, SD

Catching up on the last two days and almost 300 miles - fine 294 to be exact!

Sunday - Day 15 - Rapid City to Murdo

Today was the longest mileage so far - 149 miles and a measly 3,180 feet of climbing. We started out with a very large group and one could have said at mile 31 ish that this was going to be easy - not so fast - the group broke up after the first stop and that left 7 of us. We got a really kick butt double pace line going - it is when two lines of bikers get moving out and just keep cycling through like a continuous chain - totally fun! So at lunch we were averaging about 19.3 mph. Before we left town though, there was this kid that had a back pack on, regular shoes, panniers laden with stuff - looked like about 70lbs of stuff! He was keeping up with us until we hit a hill. As I came up to him, I slowed down - I wanted to know this kids story! He apparently started in Seattle 16 days before - only ONE day before us and with all that stuff! Amazing - his name is Ben and he was headed to NY. Of course, I wanted to know more, what was driving him? Why this route, Why - job? adventure? etc.....but no time ( I know Sue M - just worry about myself but I'm curious!!)

We went through the Buffalo Grasslands - so cool - lots of grazing animals, deer, horses, antelope, and of course cows.

Bad, Bad, Bad Bad Lands - you make me feel like I'm in another world (ok, use your imagination and that's to Bad Boys). We went into Badlands National Park - I've never been there and I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it was - it was mystical - magical - and just far out! Check out the pictures - they were so amazing to see all the different formations. After my yummy lunch burrito - we had a climb out to contend with - wouldn't be PAC without a climb after eating.

Paul was sweet and indulged us to take some cool pics over the cliffs into the Badlands - they turned out cool! We also passed a historical site of the old prairie homes and all I could think of was Laura Ingalls Wilder and Almanzo - remember that?! So I had that theme song in my head for bit - Paul didn't let me stop to take pics here....sniff sniff..

Sorry to say this Sue B (TX) - but the Long and Winding road came to mind (actually for both days). We had a hellacious cross wind for both days and I swear I've asked for forgiveness but the Lord sent a plague of GRASSHOPPERS!! They were everywhere! They would jump from your wheels and the wind would throw them back at you - landing in my helmet, hitting my face - yep lips too! They would bounce of my arms and in between my legs as I pedalled - ewwww!! They were very irritating and where ever present for at least 75 miles! I had all manner of there spinney prickly legs stuck in my helmet. I felt sorry for them at first since they were being killed but by the time we got in - I just wished them all dead!

When we finally got in all I could think of was the pool - ok I started thinking about that around mile 90. But, once in - I had to prep my bike for the next day, get my bag to the room, change my clothes, shower, wash my clothes in the tub and use the luggage rack as a dryer and set it outside - OH and today Susan made us banana smoothies with protein mmmmm....good! I thought that would be my dinner since I had a massage but instead got some chicken and veggies to go from the Buffalo restaurant. BTW, I did get poolside and it was refreshing - I actually felt like I was on vacation! Swimming felt good too, different muscles - ahhhh!! OH when I went to get ice (no not for the bath tub!) There was a 4 week old puppy named Charlie in the lobby of the hotel and I scooped him up and let him kiss my face ( I was salty afterall) and cuddled and cuddled him till he squirmed away from me - boy I miss my family! Craig, Zera, Boz - where are you?!

Day 16 - The long and windy road.....

Ok, today was a LONG day! Another 145 miles, I couldn't keep up my group on the climbs so at mile 51 - I hurried up at the stop and told them I'm going ahead so they didn't have to wait for me on the climbs and have to waste their energy 'protecting' me. (I hate when folks have to wait for me! Plus, when you are working that hard to stay with the group, your not taking care of yourself - I need to stretch my back a lot and just couldn't) So, off I went and actually felt better since I was taking care of myself. I got to lunch and they had my fav - Hebrew International - so I scarfed one and was about to leave when Susan and Paul came in - they didn't look so good - did I mention we had the same crazy wind as yesterday. Unfortunately, I couldn't wait because I would become stiff as a board so I kept on going. Everyone was having a heck of a time today - the heat was bad, the wind and the mileage all played a part. I made it to the next stop and saw a few of the strong guys there suffering from the heat too. I re-iced my bottles and headed out - Susan wound up riding today and started just about mile 110 (she's one of the owners and only gets to ride when she can) BOY was I glad - she helped me so very much to help block the cross wind and then we caught Cynthia and all three of us came in together - to give you a perspective on how much it helped - alone I was going about 14.9 (yes, embarrassing but true - you try it!) with the three of us we could get to 17ish mph.

So my theme song for today was - (please sing to the Stu song from Hangover http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ9zSq8kJ-E )

Slog, Slog, Sloggie, Slog, Slog - if I get knocked over by heavy cross winds - then I'm sh-t outa luck!

I had another appt. with my BFF Jonathon and I thought I would come off the table - my legs were tight! He helped a lot and got the majority of the knots worked out.

Again, love the comments - I have been taking a cold bath after my shower, seems to help - will try the ice thing but that seems like a lot of work!!! I won't sass you Sue - but I will scream your name even though I know it's good for me but it hurts like heck!!!

BTW - current stats - 1,769.64 miles, 64,331 feet of climbing, 98,270 calories burned (I just wish I knew how many I was taking in!!) xoxoxo

Some pics for you!
the morning line to get your bags in first and your butt in the saddle and out the door! (this was 6:30am)

Me and my Badself in the Badlands (yes, it's a double shorts day)

Horses - the two to the far right were playing but my camera doesn't reach that far to capture it so awesome!
Ok, where are the houses to these mailboxes???

Road through the Badlands park

The landscape of the Badlands

Susan and I

this really weird toilet that I stopped at, makes you think - where is that water coming from?? ( I swear I flushed too---hmmmm....)

Paul has had it - plague of the grasshoppers, crosswinds, putting up with 'gotta stop and take a picture!'

Today (Day 16) Me, Susan, Cynthia - FINALLY made it in - yeahhhh!!!

Can you say stiff cross wind?!!

Crossing the Missouri River

Rural Farm - much of the countryside today

Cute church

Day 14 - Custer to Rapid City, SD

Can I just say that today was so INCREDIBLE!!! First of all, we were in Custer, SD - where just a few miles away sat two amazing gifts that could be enjoyed by us as mere spectators, Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore. They both were very moving to me and to be seeing them because I rode my bike there is still a 'pinch me moment'. Mt. Rushmore is a symbol of freedom and a hope for people from all cultures and backgrounds and Crazy Horse's creator Korczak Ziolkowski said, "Never forget your dreams." I can not tell you how deeply that touched me. I believe that all of us have dreams and that we owe it to ourselves and our closest contacts (spouses, family, friends, etc) to deliver on those dreams. I feel like I am doing that to be a better person and to give more to those people. I have never been to either of these monuments but I can tell you that they were impressive. It was amazing to see, I actually can't wait to come back again and hike in the Black Hills - there were tons of trails to go on. Ok, before I start getting misty, on to the ride.

We actually had a short day today. You could either go 45 miles and see both or you could go 76 miles and go through Custer State Park and see Mt. Rushmore. Since I wanted to see both we chose the shorter route. You would think it would be easy, but for some reason my legs didn't remember what they were supposed to do. Not that the climbs were difficult (we had about 4,500' of climbing) but I think there was a little fatigue in there. We rode through some beautiful mountain terrain, with the pine trees and granite poking through. We also had some gorgeous meadows full of black-eyed susans, purple cone flowers, pin cushions, and bright yellow flowers. It smelled heavenly. Have I said this before? That you really have sensory overload on a bike - from a car you can't really get the same smells - maybe for a lingering moment but as we climbed up on hill you were engulfed with the smell of flowers - I couldn't escape it nor did I want to. It was a heady experience.

I also was more in a "loligag" mode. I wanted to actually stop and smell the flowers. I told Paul to keep going but of course, he would wait to make sure I was still coming. I tried to take more pictures today too. Below I have a bunch, but not in order really.
Tonight, Michelle and I ate with Ernie, Bob and Jim at Perkins - hey you can get broccoli there! (and my grilled tilapia was pretty good!) This town is full of crazies on their way to Sturgis or wishing they were - plus a lot of 'crotch rocket' kids that are squealing their tires and such. Oh and it's a full moon - Happy Full Moon Sandra!!

We have 149 miles tomorrow - yes that's right - have an easy day and we gotta pay! So, tomorrow's breakfast is at 5:30 and we leave by 6:00am.


The flowers:

Beautiful Meadow in the Black Hills


Paul, Susan, Bob and I on the wall - oh and Mt. Rushmore behind

Me and my Men:

Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Lincoln

Artsy Fartsy - framing

Me with the sculpture of Crazy Horse and the actual in the background

This is all the beads in the Native American museum - Mike show Pam she'd love all those beads!

Crazy Horse in the morning