The day started out chilly for me, a cool 60 degrees and warmed up to 88. We did just a short ride to the Expo area; on the way we dipped our tires in the Missouri River. At the end of the week, we will dip our tires in the Mississippi River. It was toasty on the asphalt at the Expo area, so we didn’t stay very long. I did buy an official RAGBRAI beer. We also met up with Joe and his wife. Joe will be staying with the Alpaca Tours charter during the week. When we got back to camp, I decided to add just a few more miles and Janet offered to go with me. We were stopped by someone who asked if we were headed to South Dakota. It wasn’t my plan as Janet had already biked there with Fred. However, she offered to show him the way, so I decided to cross the river and snap a photo of the welcome sign. When we returned to camp I got a negative taste of humanity. Someone took my 4 port charger and battery pack that I had left in the charging trailer. It was my own fault because we were told to use small luggage locks to secure our things in the cubby holes.. I had forgotten my lock back at my tent and didn’t want to hold everyone up as I retrieved it. Of course, none of us thought someone would actually take it. I am holding out hope someone turns it in to lost & found. I had both pieces labeled with my name. It was a habit I learned from Bubba on our C2C tour - label everything! Tomorrow we start the official ride!!
Dipping my tires in the Missouri River.
Our group, less one as Gayle arrived later in the day.
My RAGBRAI beer in front of the entertainment stage that would feature bands later in the evening.
A bridge we passed on the way to the Expo area.
Just a small snippet of all the tents. There are charters all along the river area. And then there are hundreds more people who don’t use charters. It is hard to imagine the thousands upon thousands of people here to cycle!!