July 25th- Atlantic to Perry
82.4 Miles and 3131 vertical feet of climbing
Conditions- Hills- Fewer but Steeper, especially after Casey. Winds- Most often in our faces- Headwinds have been the rule for practically the entire ride so far. What if we had run the ride backwards? Temperature- To cold to too hot.
DRG Ride index- 82.5
Towns Visited-
Atlantic (overnight town)
Wiota, Anita, Adair, Casey, Guthrie Center, Spring Brook State Park, Yale
Perry (Overnight Town)
We departed early this morning at about 6:15 AM. It was cold, muggy, and dark. It began hilly and was flat. After that, the day continued relentlessly hilly. The headwinds sure didn't help.
In Anita, where they sold the famous Anita Burritas2 for breakfast, we met Bob Schwarz from Waseca, Minnesota. There was a long level stretch with headwinds and most riders were forming pacelines. Bob relieved me for awhile and we put Tara in the rocking chair. We zoomed into Anita in this fashion. Bob has a "passport" with the Post Office. This is a practice of many Ragbrai riders who get a book with facts of each town. The rider goes to the Post Office of each town and buys a special Ragbrai stamp for that town. There was no line in Anita. Breakfast volume 1 was at the Casey's next door.
Near Adair,1 our next town is where Jesse James pulled his first train robbery on July 21, 1873. It was fitting that a train passed safely through right before we passed the historical marker.
Today marked bicycle problems for Bruce and especially for Aaron. Aaron's frame broke today2 and he is out of the running unless he can have the frame replaced or get a replacement. While waiting for help a quad passed 2the disabled cyclist by the road. Bruce, Aaron's Dad had a problem with his shifters taking out a spoke.
We did meet up with our fellow Hawgs today often. We found Lyle in the morning and Ryan in the afternoon. Ryan was in a long rest room line. Can you tell?
Guthrie Center was our biggest town and I talked with wife Cindy on a non cellular phone. I was delighted to learn that even after the racy photos of me and the girls in Marne that appeared on yesterday's page, there is at least a 30% chance that she may pick me up at the end of the ride and take me home to Texas. Otherwise, I should arrive by the time school starts.
Soon after Guthrie Center, families were by the road not selling anything, but saying hi to everyone passing by. Is there a way to ask "Where are you from?" without finishing with a preposition? Probably not. One family was really interested that I was from Texas and most were very friendly. Even the Collie was congenial. The older man offered to take me to the top of the hill in his 4 wheeler. I politely declined. With a final wave, the grandmother yelled very loudly, "Take George W home with you!" Dubya, I'm a fan of yours anyway.
The second group by the road was the staff and campers from Guthrie Grove Campground. They cheered me on loudly and we had a good time until they told me how long the impending hill was about to become.
I love it in Iowa when the ambient cornfields change into trees and lakes and hills, well, moderate hills anyway. We were treated to an example of this in Spring Brook State Park. Also in the park, we met Team Tutu. They did a point for us at the entrance sign.
This 80 miler kicked our derrieres today. Tomorrow is a 100 miler and we get another just like it on Thursday. Film at 12.
Dear Cindy, I still love you. Please consider picking me up in Muscatine for sure. We really don't party on this ride.
Love ya,
Dave
Credits- 1. Norm Running 2. Aaron Eilers; The rest were done "live" by Bruce and Dave.
Email me at plummer_dave@prodigy.net
Town Links
Look Us Over, But Don't Overlook Us! - Guthrie Center, Iowa
Welcome To The Perry Community Schools Home Page
Make Yourself at Home in Perry, IA
