A little later start at 6:00 am. and it was already 71 degrees. When we got into camp, the temperature was 92/feels like 101. As the day progressed it just got hotter… 97 feels like 106. Most of the towns we biked past had at least one fire hydrant open for cyclists to ride through. There were also kids with super soakers and they loved getting us wet. Still yet, there were lawn sprinklers and people with hoses. I tried to ride through each one! The wind started from the south, shifted from the west and was from northwest when we got into camp. I started the day riding with Janet, Linda, Fred & Ray. When we reached the trail to the trestle bridge, Ray stayed on the main route. We didn’t see him again until camp. We cycled past the capital building and through downtown Des Moines on the way to camp. It takes serious coordination for this tour as roads are closed to regular traffic so that bikes can use the entire lane. There are even highway exit ramps closed so the cyclists can go through a main intersection. Impressed!! I logged 58 steamy miles through the towns of Slater, Madrid, Polk City, Ankeny and finished in Des Moines. A few of us had purchased tie-dyed jerseys on clearance, and wore them today.
The “Florida Five.”
I finally had a coffee on Day 4. Each morning, I just don’t feel like taking the long walk to the coffee station from my tent. I enjoyed coffee and waffle cinnamon rolls in Slater.
The theme in the towns of Slater and Madrid was Dr. Seuss.
Finally walked past a post office!
A second post office.
We were able to do an extra four mile round trip to a Rails Trail iconic trestle bridge. Worth the extra miles!
Janet snapped this photo as I headed back over the bridge.
I was able to sign a quilt (near the black marker).
I bought a raffle ticket to try to win this quilt.
Bike sculpture as we entered Ankeny..
The capital building in Des Moines.
Coming out of the corn after a “rest stop.”
The positive about tonight’s tent site is that it is near porta potties and has a nice view. Unfortunately, it is in full sunlight. I do not go in until the sun goes down.