RAGBRAI... (Part 3)

DAY 2 (Monday) - Spencer to Humboldt with century loop 101.3 miles

Once again, without the aid of an alarm clock, I awoke at 3:30AM; packed all my gear and placed it on the truck. As I was walking back to get my bike, there were these bright flashes of light I kept seeing. After pinpointing the source I noticed that someone was walking around the fairgrounds taking pictures. This did not make any sense to me, taking pictures in the pitch of night. Then again after I saw someone in Lincoln the other week on a recumbent bicycle that had a motor on it, nothing seems to surprise me what people do anymore.

After filling up the water bottles (4 dollars for 2 16oz bottles), my map in hand, and buying a one dollar banana, I was off. This was another beautiful day and I got to see another incredible sunrise. As I reached Marathon, which was the town just before the century loop, I stopped to refill water, eat the dollar banana, tasted more like a 50 cent banana, and mix up one of my energy mixes. Now it was back to the ride. The first leg of the loop was about a 7 mile stretch heading south and there was a 15+ mph southerly blowing. I just couldn't wait to head back north with that wind at my backside. Passed through Albert City and turned on the north leg. This was a much needed break. I was able to sit up, get some good speeds, and enjoy the countryside. It was a 23 mile loop and took a little over an hour to complete.

The loop ended back at Marathon and what to my wandering eye should appear, but a big crowd of people. All the people who left later in the morning were now coming through. It definitely wasn't the size one sees on the news reports so I didn't think it was too bad. As I passed by the entrance to the loop, nobody else seemed to be wanting to attempt it. Then again there were many many more people behind me that would probably do it.

Thankfully the next town wasn't crowded with people so I counted myself lucky. I decided I could use a gatorade and stopped to purchase one. It was one of those small bottle ones for two dollars. Everyone seemed to be having hurricane sales. This was really turning me off to the whole RAGBRAI experience, but the rides were definitely making up for it.

I kept up a nice pace the rest of the way without stopping, concentrating on my pedal stroke, and trying not to think how sore my butt was getting.

Arriving in town I looked down at my bike computer and it was saying 98 miles. Grrr...it was supposed to be 100; however, I couldn't find the signs for my outfitter and spent the next half hour riding through town trying to find it. It was located and the computer read just over 100 miles. Woo-hoo!! My second ever century ride. The body felt so good, I could have probably ridden more, but I wanted to get my stuff and finish the book.

After getting everything setup I headed off to a middle school by the camp site for a shower. As I walked in someone was taking money from people who wanted to shower. 5 DOLLARS!!! And they said "Have a towel too." And this troglodyte gave me an over sized paper towel. He even told me that I didn't need to return it because it was disposable. I then proceeded to ask him, "What? No KY jelly?" He had a vacant expression and didn't seem to get it. So, I decided to just get the shower and figured I was just probably grumpy from low blood sugar.

The showers were scalding hot. This definitely made my grumpiness two-fold, all I kept thinking about was getting back to the book.

After the lovely shower I was able to sit down under the canopies and finish the book. I won't describe the story to anyone for fear of receiving brutal beatings for revealing anything. Suffice it to say that it was a very good read and was what I expected from a Harry Potter story.

Now it was off for some eats. Ate at a local Chinese restaurant, not too bad, prices were very reasonable. Wandered around town, ate dinner from an overpriced vendor. The town didn't have much in the offering for dinner and I didn't want to eat Chinese again.

Hung out under the canopies for a while talking with people. 9PM came rather quickly and it was time to call it a night. I was awoken several times in the night. One to a bunch of locals driving their cars up and down the streets honking their horns and yelling "Get out of our town losers!!!". Oh well, it was bound to happen sooner or later I thought. Then again later to someone playing basketball on the court near the camp site. Some people.

Coming tomorrow...leaning money spending lessons on RAGBRAI, a new tasty energy snack is discovered, and the pork chop man.