Day 4- Wednesday, July 23, 1997 - Des Moines to Chariton- 55 miles and 1,607 ft. of climbing.

We can't start to talk about Wednesday without a few comments on our stay in Des Moines. With this, the 25th anniversary of the ride, Des Moines should be the spectacular pinnacle of this spectacular event. I know that the people of Des Moines wanted us treated royally, but this is a large city, and I'm sure that security and safety (ours) took precedent over seeing any of this fine city or meeting it's people. That's fine, but do we really have to stay in a prison camp? It wasn't quite that bad, but was the site of old army barracks. There was a spectacular light show and then the party area closed at 10:30 with no transportation to other parts of the town. The compound was closed. When Bruce was asked in a TV interview which was our best city, he just couldn't give the reporter what he wanted to hear. We did agree however, that Des Moines was indeed, the most recent overnight city that we had experienced!

We started the day in rather dreary weather and Norm captured a nice picture of cyclists in the fog. Our first town today was the delightful town of Indianola. This is the site of the National Balloon championships. One was heating up as we rode by. We then went to Simpson College. These folks allowed us to put yesterday's page up for you since it was difficult to do so in Des Moines.

Our next town was Milo, Iowa and they were really ready for us. Here's Bruce as we entered the Great Milo Arch

We've seen cyclists coming to Ragbrai from many countries. Milo had a large map with pins from cities in the US and Countries all over the world. Those that your hosts have talked to include, Great Britain, Mexico, Japan, Canada, Australia, South Korea, Holland, South Africa, Lithuania, Finland, and South Africa.

Next was Lacona. The rain was pounding in this town and we were wringing out our shoes and socks. Here's a picture of the sopping procession.On the road to our final town, I met Howard Freerksen and his dog, Igor, who rode a recumbant together. Igor wore sunglasses and was a wonderful passenger.

Moma, don't let your babies go out and ride Ragbrai....

Swervin and swayin, and cuttin and stuff

Take them to Theme parks and Movies enough.

Moma, don't let your babies go out and ride Ragbrai....

Don't let go out there acting like fools

Make them get registered and follow the rules!!!!

And after last year, my Brother John made me swear that there would be no more attempts at poetry on this page. But the Day trippers almost got to us on the arrival and departure days to Des Moines. We've been riding for days and can read each other's moves pretty well, but it seems that every time I was cut off or someone acted real stupid, I would not see a wristband on that person, nor a helmet, nor toe clips, nor brains. Go figure.