Thursday July 26th
RAGBRAI Day 5
85.8 miles
3,576 feet climbed
0 flat tires
0 busted brake cables
0 ambulance rides!!!
First day without ANY equipment issues!
Quote of the day: “Wow, it’s hot today.” Said by cyclist who clearly was NOT on
the ride yesterday. Are you kidding me???
We got another early start today. The first riders on our
team rolled out of Marshalltown around 5:20am. When I rode out of town with Tai
and her pilot, we noticed how the roads were not nearly as congested. At first
we thought it was due to the storms, but after a while we figured that a lot of
people went home after the heat yesterday. It picked up later in the day, but
this year’s heat has definitely taken its toll.
We had to move pretty quickly into Vinton as we had a TV
interview set up with KCRG. The reporter talked to Tai and then was able to see
Alan roll into town and talk with him as well. We love being able to tell the
story of Adaptive Sports Iowa as we make our way across the state.
Several of the riders took today off or only did a portion
of today because so many were just wiped out after the wind and the heat of
yesterday. The ride into Anamosa is a shorter day so many are trying to rest up
with the goal of completely tomorrow’s entire route.
Tonight we are staying at Edgewood Family Fellowship in
Cedar Rapids. We are one of a few teams staying here, but they are prepared!
They have on-site massages, live entertainment and food ready for everyone.
They really know how to make a team feel welcomed. Our team is using the
showers at a senior living facility near the church. In fact, they gave us access
to their spa rooms. Most riders have been able to sit in an accessible Jacuzzi
tub. When they walk back from to the church to say they look relaxed is an
understatement. We are spoiled tonight!
Overall today was a really good day. It was great to have
some relief from the heat, rest up, soak some aching muscles and gear up for
the final two days.
And now...some photos from today...
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| A 5:00am start time comes early!! |
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| One of the things RAGBRAI is famous for is the food. |
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| Our hand cyclists can be a little strange.... |
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| A woman at the church giving David a hug to thank him for his service. |
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| Mario on the home stretch into Cedar Rapids. |
