We left Lake Mills before 7 AM and had great tailwinds, although we had to start in jackets since it was probably in the low 50's. The wind was a bit brisk since before it got to us, it certainly must have left the North Pole, journeyed over frozen tundra, swept by an Igloo or two, (team Bad Boys, I'm referring to the residence, not the cooler) and crossed Canada before it entertained us. We didn't mind a bit. On the road about 10 cyclists were honking squeeze horns continually. It got on my nerves and I sped up, but Ruie turned around and said, "Knock it off!!" We hear a loud voice reply, "WE GOT ONE" and the honking ceased. That's Ragbrai. Breakfast was at Chris Cakes, a standard. If you want seconds, you had better be a good catch!
Well, folks, I just have to admit, celebrity is fun! After doing Dave's Ragbrai® Page for three years now, being recognized and greeted by hundreds per day is downright fun. But when Ann Vandermullen of North Carolina almost passed out because she was sharing a table with me, I guess it's time to go limo shopping!
On the road to Northwood, I met a TRUE celebrity. Chuck Offenburger and I rode together for several miles. He is the host of the ride and Columnist for the Des Moines Register® and a friend to all. Here is Chuck with Dryer and Kelly Thackston.
Another VIP on the ride is, of course Paul Bernhardt, the Pork Chop Man. He comes from Bancroft, Iowa and sells the best chops around. Other than the taste of the chops, his most notable characteristic is how he shouts, POOOOORRRRRKKKKKKK CHOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPSSSSS!!!!!! It is so characteristic of Ragbrai that I recorded it this morning and after I get to Houston and convert it to a .wav file, you will get to hear the famous call. Anyway, I was curious and he told me, "I butchered whole hogs for promotions and decided it was way too much work. So I started Bar B Qing Pork chops and kept getting them thicker and when I got them about an inch and a half, I buttered them, salted them and turned them, then built grills for weddings, jubilees, and churches and was doing 1,000 to 2,000 a week at $5.00 each. I became President of the State Pork Producers and we taught the districts how to BBQ and even taught them up in Minnesota. It became known as the Iowa Chop.
Fourteen years ago, the Ragbrai passed through Bancroft as it did this year and we set it up and people ranted and raved. We then began following the route" How's that, did you learn something?
Saint Ansgar had a delightful surprise for all of us. There was some very good Karaoke going on and then an announcement was made. It seems that Kevin and Erica met on this day, on the ride, seven years ago. He proposed to her right before town, but she would not answer in private. They came up on the stage and in front of all, he proposed and she accepted. Here's a shot of the happy couple.
The next town was Floyd where, as in every other Ragbrai town, they were dancing to the Macarena! I met team Kybo and took their picture.
Upon our arrival in Charles City, aka "Chucktown," we found showers right away in a carwash! The water was hot and the wax felt great! A tractor exhibit was on the way in. Once in town, techhies are able to surf the net send email and have their pictures sent via email at the High School. I ran into internet gurus Annie Rosenthal and Debbie Kong who made me the Dave's Home Page shirt and presented it to me.
Up to now, there has been no rain and the wind is still blowing briskly at our back. Some hills are giving us an enjoyable challenge.
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