Today was a GOLDEN DAY. We started at 7:00 AM. Here's a Bruce and Ruie getting ready at the Hawg Bus. We were greeted with one of those beautiful silver ground fogs with sunlight above and wind farm. It even had a sign which told us that the wind farmers are George, Margie, and Ted Braaksma! The first town was Ocheyedan and we again this year met up with Team Bad Boys. I talked to them and learned a bit about them. They are from Golden, Colorado, and are actually sponsored by a brewery there. The separate bikes carry with them a Honda generator, which powers the full s tereo system, a grill, Foldable chairs, a TV, and an oven. We then passed the highest point in the state. More on that later. As we continued, my chain injury grew worse and worse, actually skipping a link every 3 revs. I sure didn't want to finish the day like that so I stopped by a repair van and Matt and Denny fixed me up big time. They tuned my bike like it hasn't glided along in years! It changed the way I rode for the rest of the day. Next, at a rest stop, it became a band director's reunion! Just by coincidence, a coulple of cyclists were wearing tuxes on top and playing trumpet duets. It brought together something that resembled a band director convention. Here's Scott Davis, Goodrell Middle School; Pam DeBoer, Urbandale High School, Bruce, Norm, Cheryl Irwin, Dallas Center-Grimes Middle School and me. Along came the principal Oboe player for the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and his niece, Tom and Kim Tempel. Again making their appearance (and I mean that literally) was team Dragbrai! I talked with one of the members who was from Germany and he told me that this is a bunch of racers from the state who are just having a good time, nothing serious. The day finished with a visit to Milford, a delightful town and a parkish entrance with a fast downhill run to Estherville. I am uploading this at the library of Iowa Lakes Community College and they are being super! In about an hour we will be joining the Community Band and performing-- Film at 11---Dave
