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Monday July 24, 2006

Day 2 - Ida Grove to Audubon

written by: The Dude

Daily Stats

• Distance: 75 miles
• Time: ~ 5 1/2 hours
• Average Speed: ~13 mph

Well, we have made it through day #2 and we are still standing. Today was, to say the least, difficult. We have on record a guy, who has done RAGBRAI for the past 24 years, saying that this was the most difficult day that he ever remembers…so, it was hard. So, what made it so hard? Well, today we went almost exclusively south to go from Ida Grove to Audubon and the wind was coming out of the south-southwest at about 20-25 miles per hour; The trip was also very hilly, 77 miles long, and the temperature reached the mid 90s.

We are now sitting here next to our camper, enjoying a nice evening of relaxation and peace. The trip has been thoroughly enjoyable and challenging, just what a vacation should be. We are all suffering the normal aches and pains of biking…sore knees, fatigue, hunger, numbness in extremities (which needs no explanation), yelling, sore knees, and repeating oneself. The atmosphere along RAGBRAI is a combination of keg party, Tour de France (with out the racing part), and the Iowa State Fair. There are many colorful people to meet (from all over the world actually), which definitely creates a unique atmosphere and allows for odd conversation with other RAGBRAIers (our own term, maybe RAGRAIians or RAGBRAIites could be better).

There are still 5 days of riding left…adding up to a grand total of 444 miles; we have only covered 131 miles, so we still have a ways to go. Tomorrow we will be in Waukee the hospitality of the Nelsons and from there we will be on to Newton, Marengo, Coralville, then finally we will touch our wheels in the Mississippi river in Muscatine…awesome.

A glorious sunrise on Monday…the beginning of a very difficult day

The team ready to go. Matching jerseys show that Team Crazy Delicious is not only stylish…but also a legitimate force in cycling.

The nectar of life when the temperature sores.

Ah, the scenery of Iowa…corn and beans.

Go state! It is always fun to mingle with laid back country folk.

Shade and a rest in the small hamlet of Arcadia.

Darren enjoying a bit of rest. It was a hard day.

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