The Finish Line

Mission complete...The Deucebags have traveled from Nebraska to Illinois via Iowa in 7 days and have emerged from our adventure unscathed (if you don't count Rev's trip to the ER, First Lady's repeat visits with the EMS, and all of us able to pass as full blood cherokee). Friday had us travel 77 miles into Mount Pleasant after our 102 mile day Thursday. One of the amazing things about RAGBRAI is the suuport. There are 10,000 cyclists, but about 100,000 volunteers and support staff along the way. The Iowa Highway Patrol were simply unbelievable. They held post at every intersection on our 442 mile route and kept all aware of wrecks and dangerous roads as we traversed the corn. Then you have the kids, families, clubs, fire departments, and team suuport alog the way that sell there goods in order to raise funds for the causes most important to the community we happen to be inat the time. Recepients will use the funds to help build new community buildings, pay for a ten year olds new bike, support an Amish family of 8, help kids with an array of medical conditions, and many more causes too long to list.

Saturday's ride was only 44 miles and we had the wind at our back. Our speed demon Rhino left at 5:30 am and finished at 7:45. The rest of us left at 7:45. All of us took the final RAGBRAI challenge.."The Snake". Picture Lombard Street in SanFrancisco. Now imagine riding up the cobblestone on a bike. We all made it without coming off the bike...quite a feat. Let me just add that no matter the size of the hill all week, every single Deuce riding pedaled it out. Most cannot say this. We arrived to a champions greeting in Burlington and dipped our tires in the Big Miss to complete the journey. We now travel by bus back to the start (5 hrs) and will head into KC for sleep tonight and then home to friends and families.

Thank you all for following along and allowing us this adventure. We hope to see you soon...on a bike!

-Team Deucebag

Flavor of RAGBRAI and the Century Day

Wednesday was built to be a recovery day for RAGBRAI-er's, just 44 miles with plenty of entertainment packed within the route. For those of you who wonder why someboody would give up time away from family and burn 5 days of vacation to ride their bike across a state...let me enlighten you. The community of cyclists is a melting pot of Americana, it knows no age limits (many in their 70's, one that was 4), skin color (white, black, brown, pink (yes we saw a spray painted cyclist), or economic demographic. We've seen: tandem's (2 cyclist on 1 bike) consisting of father & son, mother & daughter, ...teams of cyclist's with names like Fat'n Tired, Bloody Choad (don't ask!), Butt Lite, Good Booty, Party Patrol, Team Tallywhacker, Team Special Purpose, Team Iwanna (Beer, Taxi, Second Opinion) Team Motorboaters, Team Mate (pictures of monekeys procreating on bus) Team Hard, Team Bad Monkey, Team Liquor Downtown, Team Stop a Lot..Our favorite was Team Donner Party with the slogan "we eat the slow ones".. You get the point..Wednesday night we stayed in Chariton and enjoyed an unbelievable Russian buffet at one of the downtown restaurants and an early lights out to get ready for Thursday.
Thursday started poorly for Rev Spence, as he caught a bug and was forced to SAG to the next town. The rest of the clan opted for the long route, 105 miles, just so we could get a special patch commemorating our feat. For those that chose not to do the Century ride, they rode the 76 mile jaunt into Ottumwa. Which is where we find ourselves now. Headed to dinner and a concert. 77 miles tomorrow. May the winds be at our backs. (Camera dead, pictures later)

Trenchfoot and Fistfights

No there were no fistfights, but close sleeping quarters, freezing rain, cold showers and general fatigue began to get the best of Team Deucebag Monday and Tuesday. Monday was a 70 mile ride up every hill known to Iowa, I believe the route coordinators had us going in circles just to make sure we hit everyone. About 2PM Monday the rain started (none forcasted), then the wind, then a few ill advised stops (Deb's massage at mile 8, Papa's repeated visit to fertilize the corn, beer tents in every town). I realize I should'nt have been surprised at the outcome. However, Tuesday would be a new day and new attitudes...Debbie and Staci set out on their own as did Papa, Joe, Captain, and P-Daddy. The group of guys formed a tight peloton early and clipped along at a courageous pace. We kept this pace until about mile 76 of 77 when we came up on the Team Hard and Team Bad Monkey party in the corn field with The Reverend complete with Beer slide, volleyball, free food and beer..all for charity. We made it to camp and set up shop and then got the low down from the girls, who apparently made it their priority to stop at every party stop and have a relaxing ride without the guys pressuring them.

Ishould mention that the Boys from Oklahoma can hold there own when it comes to a competition scholling some college kids at Beer Pong and swimming pool basketball. We may be older but we are definately more experienced. I'll close for now as we are about to head into the town square of Indianola to mingle wit the locals.

The Hills of Hell! Flat my @$$!

After a very late evening, Team Deucebag enjoyed a frosty sleep in the tent. Those unprepared could be heard in their tents saying to one another "Dude, we have to spoon for warmth! It doesnt make us gay!" Luckily for this team they have a leader who made sure we all had adequate cover. The ride day started at 6:45 AM, paused briefly 5 miles later for some 4H Cinnamon Rolls. We were all quickly transfixed on the surprising beauty of IOWA. Rolling hills accented with plush fields of corn and soy. Houses, farms, and barns that looked as though they had been there for centuries. We pedalled madly with a pace of 18-25mph till lunch when we were greated by the PASTAFARI Jamican Pasta stop (best meal yet, hands down). We then promptly took a ciesta on the cool green grass while we thought of the countless hills we had yet to traverse. Sounds tough...but before you begin to fell sorry for us please know that at about every ten miles was a party waiting with ice cold beer, friendly heart of America folk, and white people in lycra poorly shaking their tail feathers. We made it to Red Oak at ~ 4PM, and walked 25 ft over to the city pool and jumped into the 70 degree water. Suddenly the sun, heat, and exhaustion were washed away and we were re-born anew and ready for the night. We will follow up later with the evenings antics.....

Day 2 finds Team Deucebag arriving at our starting destination point in Council Bluffs, IA. Although not an official ride day we put about 18 miles on the odometers tooling between Omaha and Council Bluffs. We cruised across the Bob Kerry Bridge to dip the bikes in the Missouri river and began the koozie selling to support the ride. We quickly found out that Debbie missed her calling and should have been in sales, overall we sold ~$300 worth. We caught the better part of (2) concerts; Barenaked Ladies and Sheryl Crow. Todays food intake consisted of turkey legs and beer... good thing we are riding 442 miles!

RAGBRAI Travel Day 1

A long day of travel has ended in Kansas City with 5 dudes crammed in one room like sardines with all the sounds and odors you'd expect from such a living condition. It's reminiscent of college. Meanwhile, next door the girls (just 2) sleep in their spacious domain with no concern for the shanty town next door. Friday's drive allowed the Rev, Joe, and Papa the opportunity to drive through 4 states and sample the fare from such fine establishments like A&W, Sonic, a dirty gas station, and Mcdonald's. We will finish our drive into Council Bluffs at 6:45 in the AM. Tomorrow we'll attend the bike expo, Bare Naked Ladies concert and Ribfest!

Goodnight and Deuce Out!