Stutzman ranked first!

Photo courtesy of www.london2012.com

After the first day of competition in the men's Individual Compound - Open, Matt Stutzman has moved to the top of the leaderboard. Read about the archery competition so far here.

So how exactly does Stutzman shoot his compound bow? Check out Matt's website, Inspirational Archer for videos and to learn more about him.

Josh Turek and the US Wheelchair Basketball team lost their first game against Turkey. To follow the bracket of that tournament, go here. The US team will play again on September 1st against South Africa.

Time for the Paralympics!!

The Paralympic Agitos across London Tower Bridge.
Photo courtesy of www.london2012.com 

We all saw and got excited for our US Olympic team. It's now time to support our US Paralympic athletes. While there is no primetime television covered, you can live-stream the entire games at www.london2012.com. The games are schedule to begin tonight with the Opening Ceremony. Stay on top of all the latest results here.

Iowa has a lot to br proud of in these games! Here are some Iowans to watch for...

Matt Stutzman (Fairfield). His schedule can be found here.
Adam Bleakney (Mason City). His schedule can be found here and here.
Josh Turek (Council Bluffs). His schedule can be found here.

If you have any Paralympic news, results or stories you would like us to highlight, please let us know! You can find us on Facebook or leave a comment on this site.

RAGBRAI Day 6

Friday July 26^th

RAGBRAI Day 5

42.2 miles

1,907 feet climbed

1 flat tire…on the hand cycle on the bike trainer at the support tent

1 busted brake cable

0 ambulance rides!!!

Today was (weather wise) the best day of the week. Since it was a shorter day, we were able to leave a little bit later out of Cedar Rapids. It was nice to have a shorter day to recover a bit. There were more hills on the route, but the cooler weather and shorter route made them very tolerable.

Mount Vernon was the meet up town today and it was hoppin’. People felt like they had more freedom to stay longer and enjoy the festivities since they didn’t have as far to go to the overnight town. The ASI support crew set up the tent with a hand cycle on the bike trainer. Putting a hand cycle on the bike trainer allows anyone to stop by and try powering a bike with their arms. This is extremely popular! Especially after other cyclists have been seeing the ASI team member completing the route.

So today when the hand cycle was set up on the trainer, a group of Marines went by and the support guys tried to get them to come over. They didn’t come over at first, so the support guys moved on to the Army. When the Army wouldn’t do it, our ASI team member said “Well I guess the Army is just like the Marines then.” Well that got them to come over! And before long the Air Force came to show their strength as well. Both the Army and the Air Force teams were there at the same time talking smack to each other as there cyclists tried the hand cycle. It was a lot of fun! We truly appreciate the service of each branch of the military and value their participation in RAGBRAI. We felt honored to have a little fun with them today.

As I sat at Mr. Pork Chop today looking at our team, it stuck me how many different states we had reporesented.  From Arizona, Florida, Missouri, and Iowa…all sitting in a farmer’s yard enjoying an Iowa pork chop sharing stories from the road. It was a very cool moment to observe and something that can really only happen on a ride like RAGBRAI.

Today we’re staying at the Maquoketa Valley Rural Electric Cooperative. This facility contacted us and invited us to stay in their building. They have gone out of their way to make sure we had everything we need. They catered in a lasagna dinner, brought in an accessible port-a-potty, we have a dedicated Wi-Fi signal and we can see the main stage from driveway. On top of all that, one of their employees is in a wheelchair, so we had the opportunity to interact with him and let him try one of the hand cycles.

And finally...photos from the day! 

The set up in Mount Vernon. 

A RAGBRAI'er trying the hand cycle. 

RAGBRAI Day 5

Thursday July 26^th

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...

A 5:00am start time comes early!!

One of the things RAGBRAI is famous for is the food. 

Our hand cyclists can be a little strange....

A woman at the church giving David a hug to thank him for his service. 

Mario on the home stretch into Cedar Rapids.