July 24, 2002- Forest City to Charles City
72.4 Miles- 1029 Feet of Climb ( in reality it was not a foot less than 80 miles!
Conditions- Cool, some winds, mostly headwinds, but survivable. Terrain, more gentle rolling hills. The only surprise was the extra 8 miles when we were ready to be there! Scroll down for the full report.
As always, our great thanks go to Rich Ketcham at Geobike for allowing us to use this helpful information.
Towns visited
Forest City (start town)
Plymouth, Rock Falls, Nora Springs, Rudd, Charles City- (overnight town)
Red, White, and Blue Day
We start at 6 this morning and it is a bit cold. No complaints from here, however!!!! The road out takes us right by the Winnebago plant in Forest City. It's quite interesting to see the chassis ready to be assembled and see each stage of the construction. I enjoy morning starts the most. The scenery seems to wake up with us as the sun rises. It's a new day.
We talk to everyone as we are fresh and rested. There's a sign of maybe a morning storm on the way. We pedal a bit harder. Can we outrun it? Here's an interesting sight! It's a saddle bag on Cliff Gelderman's bike who is from Hartley, Iowa. He says he just likes barns. Wow! Great job, cliff. I need some charging up and Brian Steen from California and Mark Akleson, from Des Moines are helping. I hear strains of Vivaldi coming from a passing bike. It's the Gloria. Next is the Grieg piano concerto in A minor followed by Holst's, "The Planets". I stuck to the back of their bike and ate up 10 miles without even thinking of anything else.
What is really on my mind is how I'm going to post the last two day's information on the page way out here in rural Iowa. We've worked out the technical problems and I'm ready to use FTP on someone's computer. hmmm.
As we celebrate our freedom, today is Red, White, and Blue day. Everyone is showing their stipes. Ken Cambell and Stephanie Shroeder, from Denver are really decked out! Wow! now we're on the bridge crossing I-35. I always feel as though this is a significant crossing at the middle of the state and we are now half through. The trucks are all blowing their horns as they cross under us. Stan Gaston from Dubuque sure looks fancy here, doesn't he? I'm averaging 17 to 19 miles per hour on the entire stretch to Plymouth. Tailwinds are good.
Our next town is Plymouth and many of the locals are wearing t-shirts that say, "Plymouth Rocks". I like it. Plymouth has gone all out to make our entrance memorable with American Flags all along the way. Breakfast is over halfway of the ride. My big job right now is to find breakfast, and internet connection among these throngs of people, and rest. I ask the city council secretary if she might assist me. She says that the Des Moines Register is using the phone lines and it may not be possible. We ask Bill Zenor of the Register if he can help. He bends over backward to accommodate us. Way to go Bill and Way to go Des Moines Register. You guys are awesome!
In town, the bicycle traffic is heavier than I have ever seen it. This is because everybody stops because it is so far out today. It's still chilly, almost 11 AM and it's still in the 60's. I love it.
Aaron spots a new sporting event taking place in the long kybo line in Plymouth. A rider is standing in front of the lines taking multiple bets on which door will be the next to open. It did provide even more entertainment than me exclaiming that these ones are real neat with those helmet holders.
Here's Rock Falls, Iowa. My shoes have come loose and I need a screwdriver. I ask team Three Sheets if they could help me. No problem. They grab a bottle of orange juice and start pouring. Wait a minute, I meant the tool! They fix me up with that as well and shoes are as good as new. They claim to have the oldest bus on Ragbrai. It's a 1968 Ford with new windows and the cabinets on the inside are made from the remnants of the old stripper stage at a bar, the College Inn. Well that's good to know! They are from Mason City. A mile from Rock Falls is a covered bridge which I could see with a 2 mile diversion. Not today.
Wow, here are some neighbors of ours from Tomball, Texas. Well, 10 mile neighbors, anyway. They are interested in becoming Hawgs next year. Who wouldn't?
Finally, a town is in sight and I can see the water tower. It's Nora Springs and it may be the town of the day for me simply because they are giving away lemonade. Thanks guys. I talk to one of the folks there and she says that the city is providing this for us. And here's a sign on which we are all adding our signatures supporting the heroes of 9/11. Nora Springs worked hard in the entertainment department as well with a dance floor and sand volleyball.
And here's a team behind which I drafted for the last ten miles. It's team beads, or something like that. And look at this, it's our second big rock in a town in as many days! Note here that Iowans are sacred about all roads going either North South or East West. There is no compromise here. They would not even curve the street around the rock, they just moved the curb. Well, OK.
I like this part of Iowa every year. As we approach the Eastern part, I see more trees and rolling hills. Frankly, I've seen enough cornfields for a millennium. I know I will see more, but I have a rest here. Brother John noted that the Iowa farmers care so much about our neighbors in the sky that many of them have observatories. Cool.
Here's this guy that I pass every day who has his dog in the infant seat behind him. The dog is the only one smiling right now.
Many, many more miles are left to go and we think we are nearing the end, but it's not to be. Now we get a gravel road. uuugh! I talk to one of the Iowa State Troopers. The officer tells me that he sure wishes they could dress like us with shorts and comfortable shirts. They are in heavy shirts and long slacks and appear very uncomfortable. No kidding! We learn that the Register even offered to buy the comfortable clothes. C'mon Iowa Highway Patrol Commander, lighten up! These folks are wonderful.
Finally, we get to Charles City, AKA, Chucktown. It's the biggest town yet. What a celebration they are putting on for us. Fire Departments from all around are on the bridge displaying their equipment. Downtown, they are also decked out. Even the river is ready.
Finally, I've found the campsite (I never saw the sign by the road) and it's time for a rest and the day's web page update.
Check back tomorrow.
Email me at plummer_dave@prodigy.net
Links to Today's Towns
