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The most exciting news from Day Three was the birth of Papa Delicious’ son, Samuel! Congratulations Papa on being a papa. This blessed event is better than a thousands RAGBRAIs with tail winds and down hills!

Our ride today covered about 55 miles over the spread of about 3 hours of riding time. It was quite a treat to be riding on our home roads and sharing the ride we experience so often with the hoards of RAGBRAI riders. Being able to answer those all important questions of how many miles left or how many hills till we get there was a wonderful extra to today’s ride.

We departed the Stroburg’s home around 8am after enjoying a wonderful egg casserole prepared by our hosts. Their level of hospitality was a wonderful addition to the RAGBRAI 2008 experience. After setting down the road again we headed for Grand Junction, Dana, then the halfway town of Ogden. Ogden was very well prepared giving riders many great attractions and of course food vendors to fill our tanks.


The Dude talking about the excellent riding conditions for today, Lukestep also seen in background

Shepherd listening to The Dude

Spam giving the thumbs up on his first RAGBRAI

Most of our ride was slowed by a steady east headwind which frustrated our journey, but never-the-less, the thought of sleeping in our own beds kept our pace fast and our resolve strong. After the steep descent into the Des Moines River valley, we labored up the long climb out the other side of the valley and into the town of Boone. Boone is a popular halfway point for many of our training rides so we were already feeling at home.

In Boone we found The Dude’s brother, who happens to be a paramedic, and got an update on the happenings along the route and enjoyed relaying all of our fun adventures to him. Hassel-half and the The Dude hooked up with Shepherd and Spam who then all proceeded to draft the remaining 15 miles into Ames passing a huge throng of riders along the way.

What happens to a town of 2,000 people when 20,000 people ride through it?

Team Stephenson was missing Reidstep again today as he took a second round of rehabilitation hoping to join back up Wednesday leaving Ames for Tama-Toledo. The Stephenson gang formed a draft line early in the ride leaving Team Avalanche in their dust. Only to be seen again waiting in the long queue of hungry riders at Mr. Porkchop. What happened to you guys anyway?

Arriving into Ames was a thing of beauty, especially knowing that a warm shower and our own beds awaited us after the day’s journey. Tomorrow brings a 78 mile day to Tama-Toledo and will also create a hole in Team Avalanche as Hassel-half returns to work. Have a great ride guys!

Day two of RAGBRAI proved to be a challenge. The day begun at 2am with the sound of a blaring horn by the local authorities preparing us for an oncoming thunderstorm. We chose to brave the storm instead of seeking shelter. The storm blew over with only five minutes of rain and a couple lightning strikes. We were unaware how lucky we were as many places near by experienced 60+ mph wind and many downed trees.

Today boasted the most vertical climb of any day of RAGBRAI ever totaling about 6,000 feet. The Dude and Hassel-half left base-camp at 6am while the teammates left about 7am. Reidstep opted out of the ride today after a quick trip to Harlan hospital Sunday evening showed he had a bronchial infection.

Our total riding time was five hours and fifty minutes covering ninety-four miles across western Iowa. It was a fairly hot day presenting us with eastern head winds which hindered our journey on several occasions.

Tonight we are staying with the Stroburg’s who are also hosting Team Gourmet. Team Gourmet hires a small team of cooks to prepare gourmet meals for their entire team and their host household in the evening. It’s been quite a spectacle to see their setup. But the truth be told, in our humble opinion it doesn’t even remotely compare to Papa Delicious’ exquisitely tasteful meals.

Tomorrow we ride to our stomping grounds, Ames. We shall all enjoy a hot shower and sleep in our own beds. Hassel-half will also be dropping off the roster in Ames to return to work and to witness the ultrasound of his baby-to-be!

Day one was a hot and hilly day. It began auspiciously in a veil of fog shrouding our bucolic farm surroundings 9 miles west of Missouri Valley, Iowa. The crew rode under along, braving the fog, defeating fear itself, conquering the fog. By the time we arrived in Missouri Valley, the fog lifted revealing bright sun and a hoard of spandex wearing riders stretching to the horizon. The teams confidence lifted as the mass of riders slowly but surely began to thin out; some opting to stand in lines 100 yards long to purchase breakfast burritos, standard RAGBRAI fare, and others falling by the wayside, perhaps in shear fear/awe of the spectacle presented by the mighty riders from Ames and Minneapolis. The teams heroic constitution was no doubt buoyed by an excellent Saturday night with team Kum and Go, spent listening to a man in a banana costume sing custom lyrics, set to popular pop, rock, and country hits.

The midway point of day one was the medieval hamlet of Neola, which consisted of a tattered and unused rail line and a volunteer fire department selling brats and pancakes at 10am. The team met up with Stephenson Sherpa, who had procured an excellent spot in the shade allowing for a much needed rest and an opportunity to consume large quantities of applesauce and cashews. Stomachs satiated, for a little while, the team continued pushing eastward, while dark clouds built to the west.

Showing the strength of character only evident in the most experienced and gifted riders the team attacked the hills of Western Iowa experiencing a significant deluge of rain that dampened the pavement. Some succumbed to the sirens call of the Mr. Porkchop stand, heeding the wafting scent of grilled Iowa meat. Others felt the pull of their Jamaican brothers, and stopped at Pastafari for a heaping bowl of pasta, veggies, and drug induced philosophy.

As the riders neared the overnight town of Harlan, it became evident that the heat of the day was wrenching every last drop of moisture from the tanned and hardened faces of these men, who live their life so precariously on the razors edge. Knees ached under the strain of monstrous rolling hills and cries of agony rose from the chapped and cracked lips of the brave road warriors. But, as the modern day gladiators pushed on ever forward, it became abundantly clear that defeat could not possess them, its iron jaws of malice would never know the sweet taste of there toned, muscular flesh. And triumphantly they summited the final hill rejoining their faithful guide, who had made camp next to a bountiful water source that included an awesome waterslide. But, our faithful crew will face the task of Harlan to Jefferson, one hundred miles of back-breaking hills and heat, will the make it…?

This year Team Avalanche will be greatly missing our Team leader and chef, Papa Delicious. Our prayers and thoughts are with Darren and his wife as they await the arrival of their child. We will ride this year in honor of our great friends.

The rest of the team this year will be Hassel-half, The Dude, Shepherd (George Stagg), and new member Spam (Shawn Murray) from Minneapolis. We are also riding with Team Stephenson (Consisting of Sherpa (are long time driver and RAGBRAI mentor and his four sons: Andstep, Reidstep, Mattstep, and Lukestep). Sherpa is driving a “Woody” station wagon and pulling a trailer of our gear.

We arrived in Missouri Valley safe and sound and setup camp nine miles out of town almost right on the Missouri River. After dunking our tires today we then proceeded to head into town and found ourselves an All-We-Could-Eat Spaghetti Dinner. Nine of us were driving around town in the “Woody” and were declared to be “Team Clown-Car” on more than one occasion.

This picture appeared on the Des Moines Register’s Website. Don’t we look awesome all piled into the “Woody”.

Team Avalanche is looking for hosts for RAGBRAI in the following cities:

• Missouri Valley (July 19)
• Harlan (July 20)
• Jefferson (July 21)
• Tama (July 23)