Sunday, July 22
RAGBRAI Day 1
56.99 Miles
1,675 Feet of climbing
2 flat tires
2 broken Camel Baks
Quote of the day: “it’s like they’re canoeing across Iowa” –
overheard by a passing cyclist after seeing a few Adaptive Sports Iowa team
members
Our evening in Sioux Center was pleasant and our hosts at
the Dort College Recreation Centre were extremely accommodating to all of our
needs.
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| Davind, Allen, Mike and Eric talking about Adaptice Sports Iowa to at the RAGBRAI Expo |
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| The Adaptive Sports Iowa RAGBRAI lined up and ready to hit the road for the first day of the event |
Today was a great first of RAGBRAI! The weather was calm and
cool as we left Sioux Center this morning. A light shower had passed through
the area just prior to our departure making for a perfect start to our week.
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| The Adaptive Sports Iowa RAGBRAI team starting out on their first day |
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| The Adaptive Sports Iowa RAGBRAI team hitting the road for the first day of the event |
As our team pulled out of town this morning we experienced
an abnormally high amount of breakdowns. Before we ever reached the first town
we had 2 flat tires, 2 broken water packs, tangled straps in spokes and a few
thrown chains. After we passed through Orange City, however, things settled
down and everyone found their rhythm.
As we progressed through the route today I couldn’t help but
notice how supportive and honest the other cyclists have been. It’s obvious our
team plays a larger role in RAGBRAI the goes beyond just a team of physically
disabled athletes. From a public awareness standpoint our riders break many
stereotypes that society has placed on the physically disabled demographic.
Even the term “physically disabled” is a stretch to apply to the members of the
Adaptive Sports Iowa team. Cycling across Iowa with and hand powered bike is a
feat that few from the “able-bodied” population could complete.
Tai and Collin, one of our blind/piloted tandem teams like
to add a touch a technology to their bike. Tai has a blue tooth connection for
her iPhone and wireless speakers. This lets them listen to all the songs she
has on her phone. At one point they were listening to the song, Beast of Burden
by the Rolling Stones. The song appropriately has a lyric that says “I’m not
too blind to see.” Although Tai would tell you the quote of the day for her was
when another cyclist rode by her and said “The scenery doesn’t change much for
you, does it?” If only he knew she was blind!
The team is resting up and getting ready for a ride into
Lake View on Monday.
