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Saturday July 29, 2006

Day 7 - Coralville to Muscatine

written by: Hassel-half

Daily Stats

Distance: ~ 45 miles
Time: ~ 2 hours 30 minutes
Average Speed: ~ 18mph

Today was a fast paced day as everyone just wanted to get to the Mississippi River and finish. We left the Thompson's at about ten till 7am, made a quick pit stop at Panera Bread for Cinnamon Rolls and Juice, then hit the road. The Thompson's live about 5 miles into the route and about 2 miles from the route, so we did a few less miles than the pack, but everything was all balanced out because we rode our bikes to their house the day before.

We made only a few necessary stops along the way to fill up on water, Gatorade, the occasional piece of fruit, and once for a flat tire. Mainly we stuck to the pace with only the goal and some cold water in mind. As our stats show we made a record 18mph average speed and arrived in Muscatine close to 10:30am just as the real heat started to unleash its inferno.

RAGBRAI ends like a sigh for most people as they hurriedly head for their transportation home. Some, however, stay behind and top off the "week-long party" just as they had lived it each day: enjoying the thrills of good drink and food. For us RAGBRAI ended just as it had started: ritualistically dipping our tires in the river. After which we packed up and headed for the nearest aquatic center to cool off before returning home.

RAGBRAI was, to say the least, a blast. It had its high's and its low's, but I personally wouldn't take back any of it. It was a real bonding experience for us all, and I think most of us are talking about a repeat appearance next summer. As Sherpa told us at the beginning of the trip: "RAGBRAI is what you make it", and we made it into a great week.

Four members of Team Crazy Delicious prepare for departure