Before we left the wonderful state of Iowa, we headed downtown to welcome back the 15000 people who completed the week long bike trip across Iowa. From what I gather, RAGRAI is a national phenomenon, where bike enthusiasts from all over the country gather to share a week long bike journey filled with lots of partying. Registered participants can have their gear trucked between camp spots and from the looks of the faces of the bikers coming in, everybody had a great time. They said around 15000 people were in this years trek. On our way into the downtown we were waving to everyone who had just completed the trip. As we got closer to the water, we saw the bands of bikers coming through town, which was completely roped off for the event. Matt and I decided to join in and were welcomed with cheers and claps. Even though we had not just biked 500 miles across Iowa, I did feel like we had earned our place in the pack. A sweet way to celebrate the victory of all those riders. We also needed to buy tubes, and a local had said their might be a vendor close by. Matt ended up biking 2 miles to the nearby bike shop while I took in the sites of continuous riders passing through the finish line and dipping their tires in the Mississippi. While sitting under a tree to soak in some shade, I met an eastbounder who was headed to New York. Once Matt got back, we packed up and headed out of town. We crossed into Illinois and immediately the roads flattened. We had the pleasure of biking and camping with Andrew that night at Timber Campground.
Matt decided to send back his trailer and just use two panniers for the duration of our trip. We set out early, but were still a little weary of his back tire, that was being held together by duck-tape. A few hours in, Iowa gave the old detour sign, due to a bridge that was out. We flagged over a car and asked if we could still ride our bikes on the road. They said that we’d be fine the next 7 miles, but then we would have to take a 3-mile detour on a gravel road out and around the bridge. We decided to go for it, since we were planning to meet up for lunch with a friend from the Appalachian Trail days as well as pick up the new tires from Matt’s parents. We made it to the fork in the road, gravel on one side and construction signs ahead. I thought maybe we should just go and see how bad the construction was, and that perhaps we could just hop over the small creek. When we got to the site, it was apparent that there was no good way to get across. One of the workers suggested we walk along a corn field and find a narrow spot and hop over, although we’d probably get wet. We decided against it since Matt’s tire was already in a vulnerable state. As we head back to the gravel road, Matt’s tire blew. We had already blew through all of our tubes the day prior, and so we had to patch the tube. This was our first tube-patching event of this trip and we settled on the side of the road to wait for it to dry. I busted out the snacks and we waved to all the construction workers who were now driving out to pick up lunch. The patch held for us to make it only an hour late meeting John for lunch in Lowden. We picked up the new tires and said our final goodbye to Matt’s parents and Lily. It was a sad farewell, but I felt so lucky to have had their support over the past week. Fully loaded with our gear we set back on the trail and ended the day in Muscatine.
Memories from Iowa: three flat tires, hilly and too many detours!
Today also marks our halfway point on the trail. Matt wants to keep up the tradition from thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, where you must challenge yourself to eat a half gallon of ice cream at the 1/2 way point. The flavor was butter brickle and I’m so proud to announce that he passed the Half Gallon Challenge!!!!
1/2 gallon challenge in Iowa, our 1/2 way point along the Northern Tier
1/2 gallon challenge complete!
Today was an impromptu 0 day. We ordered a new tire for Matt that we would be able to pick up tomorrow and got to spend the whole day with Kathy. Kathy drives back to Florida tomorrow and has been such a blessing these last 10 days. She has been the ultimate supporter, slackpacking us early in the morning and then picking us up in the evening. She has prepared all of our meals and has helped us navigate the trail. She has pulled her camper to offer us a soft bed and air-conditioning at night. She is one of the most positive people I have ever met and her faith excites everyone around her. We love you and will Miss you! Thank you for Everything!
e event. Matt and I decided to join in and were welcomed with cheers and claps. Even though we had not just biked 500 miles across Iowa, I did feel like we had earned our place in the pack. A sweet way to celebrate the victory of all those riders. We also needed to buy tubes, and a local had said their might be a vendor close by. Matt ended up biking 2 miles to the nearby bike shop while I took in the sites of continuous riders passing through the finish line and dipping their tires in the Mississippi. While sitting under a tree to soak in some shade, I met an eastbounder who was headed to New York. Once Matt got back, we packed up and headed out of town. We crossed into Illinois and immediately the roads flattened. We had the pleasure of biking and camping with Andrew that night at Timber Campground.