More pictures leaving Waterloo on Friday

 

 

Final mileage tally

Before kent left me in Indee to head to Dsm we took this picture showing our total of 540 miles about 100 more than the ragbrai route total. My sisters asked me this morning if i could ride again this morning and i said "if schott would let me borrow his saddle some more, you bet!"

Tom Donlea

The IBM

The 1972 Raleigh International, known locally as the International Bike of Mystery, was not only a generous loan from my Uncle Ray but also was a darn sweet riding machine. The antique got rave reviews from the older set and Dennis, the bike mechanic who rebuilt the bottom bracket thanked me for bringing him what he called "a treat" to work on.
I want to publicly thank Ray for entrusting me with his bike. It made the ride all the more meaningful.

Tim

Greeted in Tipton

K's dad and brother Mick and Tim glad to have me arrive safely from Dubuque. Time to get out of riding clothes and hit the shower.
Tim

Greeted in Dubuque by Shake

Tom, K, Shake and I all attended Loras together. He came down to chat and congratulate us in Dubuque.

Tim

Dipping Tires In The Mighty Miss

This is a peek around the corner of where we dipped pur front tires after about 550 miles across this fine state.

Tim

We finished around noon

Tradition is to dip your tire in the mississippi when done.

Tom Donlea

Last pie and Tim's new friend "pepper"

Tom Donlea

Stretching on the last day

We spent our last 2 nights sleeping in mom's community bldg.

Tom Donlea

Word Of The Day = Crotch

I grossly underestimated how much care, concern, and attention we'd all be paying to the condition of our crotches.
I'll skip the particulars but suffice to say that this gift of Crotch Guard from my bro-in-law Byron has been well used and VERY appreciated.
Speaking of crotches - we've been playing a bit of musical saddles here in an attempt to get Tom' bum to have fewer open wound. Yesterday Tom rode on my Uncle Ray's Brooks Leather saddle and I rode Tom's seat until Winthrop when Lisa Jo bought a used seat from Dennis the bike shop dude as a birthday gift for her brother, Tom. Butt, because Tom was doing so well on Ray's saddle we opted to just keep him on it and have me ride Tom's new seat on into Manchester.
Being on 3 different seats/saddles during the course of the week allows sores in new, uncharted regions of a tush. :-)

Tim

Kate Allyn

After day 6 was able to visit briefly with Aunt Kate my dads last remaining sibling. 87 yrs young.

Tom Donlea

Old time ragbrai rider

We saw this guy leaving sioux city last sunday. He said he would ride the whole 7 days we were skeptical but ht figured out how to do all 400+ miles without a freewheel or gears. Makes our completing this ride with modern technology seem pretty weak. We have also met folks in their 70s ~nd 80s who've done this ride many times.

Tom Donlea

Wheeling in winthrop

Sister Michelle and her husband Red in photo Opp. In the "friendliest town for miles".

Tom Donlea

Schott in Winthrop

Spent about 3 hrs in my hometown. Tim picked up some fancy shades (courtesy of farm fleet and elton john) and the head band as a native Quasky-ite. That's my nephew josh adding the bunny ears.

Tom Donlea

Quasky Ia

Right before we saw the amazing recreation of thw Wapsi and Pinicon love story.

Tom Donlea

Lisa Jo is a Goddess

In a much-appreciated 2nd night in a row gift of charity, Kent and I both got a great neck massage and promptly fell asleep.

Tim

Wapsie and Pinicon

Kids in Quaski perform the dramatic re-enactment of the love story betgween these 2 warring tribes that serves as the origin of the world-famous river. Kathy, Tom, and I took an equally famous canoe trip down said river in 1992 and ended at this very spot. Oh the memories.

Tim

IBM on the shop stand

Just outside Winthrop the IBM began to make serious crunching noises from the bottom bracket. As fat would have it, we pedaled into town and my local bike shop, Boulevard Sports, was set up for repairs. They had worked on the bike when I first borrowed it from Ray so were pleased to get the vintage bike back on the stand.
Turns out the bottom bracket needed overhauled and had taken on water today in the big rains.
Dennis was all over what neede to be done and completely rebuilt the bracket while we hung out in the Winthrop City Park chatting it up with Tom's family.

Tim

Donlea gals with riders in quasky

Tom Donlea

Waiting for repairs....pouring Iowa rain!

Tom Donlea

Our first equip problem happens on day 6

6 miles out this morning after getting ready for our first day of rain, thunder and lightning Kent popped a spoke. Going to be 20-30 minutes for repair. Schott explored the local tavern while we waited and the line there was too long and getting longer. Now it is pouring!

Tom Donlea

Mom getting raedy to school me in cribbage.

Tom Donlea

World's Largest Tractor!

About a mile from my mom's place is an agricultural museum. They have the world's largst tractor... Can plow an acre a minute. Local mogul Jim Blin bankrolled the project and many of the exhibits.

Tom Donlea

chauffer

Lisa Jo Donlea cheerfully gives us a lift back to W-loo to begin the ride to Manchester on Friday morning.

Tim

Lisa Jo Rocks!

Like manna from heaven, this backrub for her youngest brother was a spiritual experience for Tom.

Tim

Linda Lou Donlea

Besides being the only person to host us 2 nights, Linda also is great fun and downright beastley in cribbage and hearts.
She came and got us from Waterloo today (we left our bikes and will return tomorrow morning) and will do the same thing tomorrow night when we arrive in Manchester.

Tim

The Donlea Gals (plus Nate) Arrive

After the long haul from Chicago, Tom is thrilled that they arrive safely at Linda Lou's just in time (10:15) for what they call "second supper". We happily enjoyed beef and noodles with beer.

Tim

Isn't he tan enough that they might pull him over in AZ?

We ran into this guy several times this week.

Tom Donlea

Naps

We've gotten into the habit at some point during the day to find a hunk of shade post-pie and, without any of us actually saying the "n" word, all end up on our backs, heads on overturned helmets, sawing logs.
It is actually pretty freeing to know your only responsibility for the day is to pedal 90 miles.

Tim

2 pies today

We had what they called "half moon" blueberry pie and this raspberry/rhubarb with homemade ice cream in Hudson. Churches are particularly good at pie. When necessary, we've been Baptist, Lutheran, Community of Christ, Methodist, and even Catholic already on thiw trip in search of supreme pie.

Tim

Big crowds

This street scene from Parkersburg was typical of every small town we went through. We were ahead of most riders each day yet always had to walk our bikes through town while the food vendors, churches, sports teams and community clubs all have something to share or sell. We really enjoy walking through the towns and always try to see what we can learn by chatting with residents.

Tim

Parkersburg

This bike sculpture greeted us and the good citizens of this beleaguered town were super upbeat and friendly.

Tim

Sarah would love this!

Cheesecake on a stick dipped in caramel and nuts. Please excuse the teeth marks...I couldn't help myself! :-)

Tim

Anti Monkey Butt

Tom is having what the regulars call "monkey butt". He thinks a breakthrough has been found when we walked into the Farm Fleet and they actually had anti monkey butt powder. This photo shows Tom on his 5th application. If you believe in intercessory prayer, offering one up for Tom's tush would be appreciated.

Tim

Rough Night

Somehow, this fellow was still asleep in the middle of a very busy parking lot as we took off from Chuck City.

Tim

Kathy B

Blurry pic of K's childhood gal at the street party in Chuck City.

Tim

Human bowling may be the dumbest thing we've seen

In charles city. Beautiful night. Hit the all you can eat spaghetti feed at the knights of columbus. Let's just say we are now carbo loaded for tomorrow.

Tom Donlea

Missed Post...worth a late entry

Kent wasn't following the laws in Britt so had to go to the Mayberry slammer. Luckily, it only cost us a Clif bar to get him out.


Tim

Rest in Chuck City

We hit town about 1:00 and, after a fine lunch provided by the Methodist Church, settled in for a nap on the middle school lawn while bikes continue to pour in. Kent is snoring at this very moment.

Tim

Helen and Dale Bond in Chuck City

We are welcomed by Tom's Maywald relatives in beautiful Charles City.

Tim

Zip line to a pond

Kent and Tom both did flips into this cool roadside pond. That is talent!

Tim

Another Hubbell Parent

Kevin hasn't had kids at Tim's school in 5 yrs but still volunteers @ the school.

He is riding the whole 7 days with 4 sixteen yr olds and 2 fourteen year olds. Only one is his child.

Tom Donlea

Darla's 61 Corvair Pickup

Great pie and Darla's birthday to boot.

Tim