by transitionsiyviyg |
July 27, 2011
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Greetings from Altoona, Iowa! I did not have the time or energy to write a post Tuesday, because we rode 100.1 miles, and the heat and humidity was stifling! The ride yesterday started in Carroll, and ended in Boone. The normal route was 70.9 miles, but my brother and I completed the optional Karras Loop, increasing the ride to a century. The route was mostly flat until mile 84 when we came upon Twister Hill in Pilot Mound. It was a very long, steep climb, and tired legs made it even more difficult, but I made it to the top. I would like to thank ISM saddles for making such a wonderful bicycle seat. Even after 100 miles I was pain free!
Lance Armstrong rode Tuesday’s leg, but he started very early, and finished very quickly (obviously). I was hoping to get a glimpse of the cycling legend, but to no avail. The highlight of my day yesterday, was stopping at Mr. Pork Chop. I had a delicious Iowa Chop, and watched riders swing from a rope swing into a farm pond.
Today’s route was much shorter, but the heat was even worse! We rode from Boone to Altoona for a total of 56 miles. It was again a flatter ride, and provided a greatly needed break after the yesterday’s century. We stopped to watch Team Pork Belly dance like maniacs during a stop in Slater. They formed a circle, and grooved in the beer garden while other riders gathered to watch. There were a variety of roadside games this afternoon including tossing rubber chickens through toilet seats in Bondurant.
We rode around Altoona when we got into town to check out the lay of the land. The hospitality of the town’s people has been amazing so far! Everyone seems to know exactly what’s going on, and they all seem eager to assist riders with anything they need. Tonight we are going to watch a very funny cover act that we saw on RAGBRAI last year, Dale Blue. Grand Funk Railroad is also in town for the festivities, but we have opted to stay close to camp.
Tomorrow is another short ride of 54 miles, but I think the agonizing heat is becoming a trend. It’s off to Grinnell in the morning!
