Started early to try and avoid some heat because it was a long ride. I started riding alone at 5:45am and it was 66 degrees. It was light outside then. The first two hours were great. A tailwind and I was in front of much of the crowd. I caught up to Ray at about 7:42am and stayed with him until lunch which also was early at 9:45am. Just before lunch we met up with Janet, Fred & Linda. We took a group photo and then they were off on their pursuit of their century ride. After lunch, I left Ray and went back out on my own. I couldn’t keep Ray’s slower pace in the heat. Although early in the day we had a tailwind, there was mostly headwind for the rest of the day. I’ve begun to stop at small water stands along the road. These are usually small local businesses or kids trying to raise money for school or some special event. Just ten miles from the end of the ride, I caught up to Gayle and we rode the last ten miles into camp. At the end of my ride was about 82 miles, because I didn’t choose to do the century option, and rode through the towns of Glidden, Jefferson, Rippey, Luther and ended in Ames. Once I got into camp, a nearby tenter explained if we had went just another 1.5 miles we could ride through the Iowa State football stadium. So Gayle and I got back on our bikes and headed to the stadium. At the end of ride it was 89 degrees. With the trip to the stadium I ended with a total of about 85 miles.
Early into the ride, there was an opportunity to hold a young goat and take a photo.
Sunrise, before the goat selfie.
Met up with Ray at about Jefferson where we had a cider donut - a treat from Ray.
My “lunch” at 9:42 am in Rippey. I just had a pulled pork sandwich (one of my favorites) and a gatorade.
Goats enjoying the shade.
Just prior to where I stopped to take this photo, there was a sign that said “killer hill ahead,” It wasn’t exaggerating. If you look in the distance, you can see the hill ahead. It seemed to go on forever.
Riding into Iowa State’s football stadium - Jack Trice Stadium.
Photo opportunity with the mascot, Cy.
Gayle & I with the mascot.
As we left the stadium, we were given a towel with the school colors.
This is the luggage drop for Pork Belly Ventures. Sorted by color. You need to put some kind of identifying mark so you can find yours within the sea of bags. Keep in mind there are many other vendors.
Every night Pork Belly has a live band for our camp area. Tonight’s has been my favorite thus far as it played Motown and some early 70’s.
Every evening there is another tradition: a woman who plays taps. This was from Monday evening.