Day 52 Rest day in Ottawa

Susan left around noon to catch a flight back to Oklahoma. We talked to her on the phone minutes ago and she arrived fine and was ready for bed.
Diane’s friend Connie stayed with her most of the day getting the results of tests they were running on her. Diane bruise to her brain is stabilized and she is improving tremendously. They even expect to release her from the hospital tomorrow(Thursday). She will be staying with Connie briefly until a friend from NJ drives out to pick Diane up. Sounds like quite a miracle compared to the way she looked just after the crash. I’m sure Diane wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and give all the praise to God.

Day 51: Rider Down, Rider Down

We were riding along the I&M Canal tow path. A nice compacted crushed gravel path. I heard a squeal and saw Susan’s bike veer the spit her off to the left. She landed on her left shoulder and head. Bill shouted, “Rider Down, Rider Down.” As I peddled the 150 feet to where she crashed I was watching and hoping to see her stand right up. She had taken a hard fall and was struggling to get her wind back when Diane and I joined Bill at her side. She had hit her head pretty hard and was dazed. Sylvia was on 911 with a complete idiot. After a couple minutes Susan was more comfortable. Sylvia had hung up on 911 and was trying to use her navigation application to pinpoint our position. I realized Kevin wasn’t on the scene and gave him a call. He had stopped about a mile ahead of us and after I filled him in he said he could see someone mowing on a tractor. The mowing crew was more effective at raising the alert than the stupid 911. That operator had recommended that we call the state police and that we could scrawl the phone number in the dirt with a stick since we didn’t have any thing to write with. About 10 minutes later a park ranger in a truck arrived. Then two other vehicles one carrying Kevin showed up. Susan’s first memory of the crash is her response to the rescuer ‘s question “Can you see OK?”. She replied, ”I see good looking guy in front of me.” They placed her on a backboard then left with her. We loaded her bike and BOB on a truck and Kevin left in it to pick up his bike and be dropped off at the ER. Rose, a local woman, said she would show us the way to the hospital. As we turned into the hospital I lead Sylvia followed by Diane and Bill. I heard a squeal, Bill hollered, ’Rider Down”. I looked back to see Diane on the pavement. She was in bad shape. Diane had hit her head hard and was bleeding from her mouth unable to respond to our questions or focus her eyes. It seemed to take forever for the ambulance to get there. A nurse had come from the parking lot to help. I called Kevin and he ran over to the scene. The ambulance arrived and we walked our bikes to the ER. While checking her in we were swarmed by hospital management. They said she was ’nonverbal’ and arrangements to life flight her from Ottawa to Peoria were being made. Judging by the administrators actions we thought the worse. After a brief lunch we were allowed to see Diane. Our spirits were lifted. She recognized us, said our names and followed our conversation. She was moving all her limbs. The cat scan showed a bruised to the back right side of her brain. The helicopter arrived and soon she was on her way to St Francis in Peoria.
Bill’s college friend and his wife arrived from Joliet. They are taking Susan and Diane’s bikes and BOB’s to a bike shop to be boxed shipped. As we loaded her bike we noticed Diane's front tire was soft and figured a slow leak had caused her bike to handle unexpectedly resulting in the crash though no one really know's. Diane’s daughter is making arraignments to get here. Diane’s friend that she spent last night visiting, Connie, who’s a nurse, is on her way to St Francis to see the latest cat scan and take Diane’s personal stuff to her. We hope to hear from Connie soon. Susan has an afternoon flight out of O’Hare to Tulsa. We’ll spend the day tying up other loose ends here in Ottawa and praying for Diane to make a rapid recovery.

Day 50, July 27th, Kewanee to Peru 57 miles

Pics: Bill riding

today's highway

Me, Bill, Susan, Kevin waiting on pizza

Bill, Kevin, Me

Kevin bowling

Its 3:45 and I’ve already had a shower and started the first load of laundry at the Super 8. Five of us in one room only $16.50 each. We got free coupons for bowling so we’ll be headed there in an hour. Diane is staying with a friend in Tiskilwa for the night. That means that tomorrow we get to ride the from LaSalle to Morris about 30 miles along the I&M Canal Tow Road. A crushed gravel path that allowed horses to pull barges along the canal back in the day. It should be a great day but rain is suppose to hit this evening and last thru tomorrow morning.
Today was fun. The first 35 miles in rolling farmland hills. We went through a wind farm. We saw damaged trees near Bureau Junction caused by the storm that happened the last night of RAGBRAI. We ate lunch at a dreadful café and DePue not very eventful day. For dinner we ate nachos and pizza at the bowling alley then rolled a game. I won by 1 point with what would be considered a fairly good golf score.

Day 49, Sunday, July 26, Burlington, IA, to Kewanee, IL, 94 miles--tailwind

Photos: Bean field Meets Barn

Tony attacks the bridge over the Mississippi leaving Mt Pleasant

The crew makes it to Illinois: Marci, Tony, Sylvia, Bill, Kevin, Susan and Diane

Sylvia and Marci on Henderson County covered bridge

Evanscense on the covered bridge with Diane

The story really starts Friday night in the town square at Mt Pleasant. During RAGBRAI the town squares get transformed into a big central beer garden with stage for bands surrounded by fairground type food trailers. Thousands of cyclist and locals show up for the big goings on. This night Kevin was wearing a C2C T-shirt and a woman noticed it and started to ask him questions. She was planning on riding her bike back to Vermont after RAGBRAI and was wondering if she might join our group. We knew what we would be staying a the Arrowhead Motel in Burlington so we passed along that information to her and she went on her way.
The guys that run the Arrowhead Motel are some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. I mentioned that a cyclist named Marci may show up during the day and that she is with us while on my way to walk up to the BP for stuff. Once there the very guy I had left this info with 15 minutes ago shows up at BP and offers me a ride back to the motel. A cool guy, he has his head screwed on straight. When I commented about the nice Jaguar he was driving he said, “Its only a Jaguar for the first six months…after that its just a car you drive from point A to point B.” When we pulled into the parking lot Marci was just coming out of the office with a room key in hand. He had left a note to her and a key for her when he left the office. She came our the room and made herself at home. Taking a shower, relaxing and telling us about herself. Born and raised in Vermont, conservationist/environmentalist. Grew up on a farm. Doesn’t own a car. Takes care of a foster child. Dislikes the current job she has with the government. Has read many of the same books I have. Even scolded me for leaving the water running while I brushed my teeth. Holy crap she’s a feisty one.
She had free tickets and wanted to go to a baseball game so she and Tony went. Now who’s Tony? Before the ride Kevin had heard from Tony and he was covering some of the same terrain as us and figured we would cross paths sometime and here he was at the Arrowhead. Tony’s company made the buttons for the OBAMA campaign and he decided a nice ride on the recumbent would get him over the frenzy of the last year.
So they were off to the game and we went to the office and asked them for the name of a good steakhouse and taxi service number. The owner gave us directions along with the keys to his truck. Marci returned about the same time as us and the conversation continued once the sleeping arrangements were agreed upon and her fascination with cable TV subsided. She and I shared a bed and discussed environmental issues, her thru hike of the Long Trail, and life in Vermont till Kevin admonished us for keeping him awake at 11. Of course, my brain was buzzing now so I only napped briefly till I fell asleep around 3. In the morning I regretted the we had not gone outside and continued our conversation, especially when I found out she had decided to ride with Tony instead of our group since he will be averaging more miles per day and she is on a limited time schedule. But the little woodland nymph may check in with our group since we will be passing within 20 miles of her hometown a couple days after she returns her job, child and dog.

Days 42 thru 48 RAGBRAI

No Photos "'cause what happens on RAGBRAI stays in RAGBRAI"

RAGBRAI was a blast. Most comparable to how much fun it was the first week of college, every day new and different. I will keep this brief . I want to thank Team Crude for taking care of me and my stuff; Team Lynn for all their hospitality; The DreamWeaver Bus fun guys fun golf; Team BV, Team StrangeBrew. Thanks for all the great memories.
Our crew had to bid goodbye to Kamla who returned home to Council Bluffs. Her cool head, easy going nature and charming smile is dearly missed.

Day 39, 40, 41, Onawa to Council Bluffs

Pictures: Lynn prepares dinner

inside the team Lynn bus

Kevin's tan lines

Kamla's friend Melinda

Last night Kamla contacted her friend Melinda and she found us a hotel room near the Mid-America center where RAGBRAI and Ribfest is going on. This morning its raining so Kamla called Lynn to ask if he could drive back up to Onawa in his pickup and haul us and our gear to Council Bluffs. Lynn, being the nice guy that he is, said yes and came to our rescue. I have spent the last three days catching up on the blog, shopping at a nearby Bass Pro shop and taking in Ribfest. Last night Lynn who also has a RAGBRAI busn had us over for a tasty brat, hamburger and salmon dinner. Kamla made a flavorful green salad and we met most of the Team Lynn riders and got to tour the bus. Then we hit a hotspot near downtown to top the night off. Now the team Crude bus is here from Tulsa and I’ll be taking the week off from blogging to dedicate myself to the RAGBRAI experience. I plan to sign in next Sunday and hope to keep the second half of the journey’s blog more current.

Day 38, July 15, Vermillion to Onawa

Pictures: Before shot
Bewildered Barber
SD Iowa stateline
Souix City Bike Trail
Telephone/telegraph pole near Onawa
On the way from Vermillion to Sioux City we went through the small town of Jefferson. It’s a complete throwback to the 50’s. I spotted a barbershop and convinced Kevin we should get a cut before RAGBRAI. Outside we took before pictures then we all entered a 1950’s barbershop and freaked out the 39 year veteran barber. He finally got the words out that the electricity was off ‘cause of road construction. Of course we took photos and asked questions till the point that he appeared ready to flee. He explained an old vacuum hose looking things was a hair dryer before we left. Soon we crossed the state line into Iowa but we didn’t know it since we saw no welcome sign. We visited with a retired art teacher now raku clay artist Chuck in Sioux City. Then rode across a nearby bridge for our entering Iowa photo. We ate lunch then headed down a bike trail into the heart of Sioux City. Once we left the trail we got lost but a mailman helped us get our bearings then we made it out of town taking the most direct route to Onawa beside the railroad tracks the whole way. Took some photos of old telephone/telegraph poles and video of a train coming by. In Owana Kamla's friend Lynn came up to meet us.

Day 37, July 14, Springfield to Vermillion

Pictures: Fish

"It makes me want a Hershey's Kiss REAL BAD"

Gavin Park

Rest Area

Ben of Ben's Brewing Co.

Video: Sylvia gets the first Fish Slappin'

We took a break near a junction and Kevin found a stuffed animal (fish) so we had to perform some fish slappin' on the spot then stow him in the easy access mesh of Kevin’s BOB. On the outskirts of Yankton we got to ride a bike trail in a park called Gavins Point. The climb into Yankton is too much for some so a bicycle rest area has been provided. In Yankton we did laundry and drank some beer at our favorite bar so far on the trip; Ben’s Brewing Co. Ben is a nice guy that treated us like kings and queens and knew everyone’s name who came in the bar while we were there. We left Yankton with a tailwind and cruised effortlessly to Vermillion the home of the University of South Dakota.

Day 36, July 13, Pickstown to Springfield

Pictures: Catch of the Day

Steeple on Church at Marty

Interior

Riding

Missouri River at Springfield

Posers
Thank goodness we did our long alternate route yesterday while we had the Tahoe SAG cause today we need only make 57 miles to Springfield and we have unfavorable winds. After snapping a picture with our day’s catch climbed out of Pickstown and cruised into the surprising Yankton-Sioux Indian Reservation town of Marty. Martin Marty was the first Bishop of the Dakota territory. He founded a mission near the towns location in 1877. In 1924 the Indian school was founded. A new school has opened now so many of the campuses buildings are closed but the architecture of the church is amazing and worth an hour or two of time to appreciate it. Indian motifs are incorporated throughout the building. Limestone exterior with a grainy sandstone interior.
From Marty we fought the wind all the way to Springfield where we managed to get a 2 bedroom apartment for the night for only $75 or $15 per person at the Finn and Feather (which I highly recommend). It has 3 beds and a futon, I was the only one who had to sleep on the floor. The Missouri river is a sight to behold. The town has a lovely park perched on the bluff above the river. The river looks more like the everglades. Lewis and Clark spent several months hangging with the local tribes.

A storm raged much of the night but we were only bothered when the nearby water tower was struck by lightening. The beef tips at the bar are to die for. Someone had the bright idea to buy extra beef tips and tots and then drop by the store for some eggs and cheese and we made a great burrito breakfast in the morning with our tortillas that Kevin had been carrying since Pierre.

Day 35, July 12th, Chamberlain to Pickstown

Pictures: Kamla and Kevin
Gas station crowd: Diane, Kamla, Tim, John and Susan

While I drive off John snaps this picture

Kamla at the picnic

Picnic crew
Our helmets at the taxidermist
John, Susan and I skyriding in a cornfield
Sylvia skyriding in a hayfield
John bale standing
Tree/Barn
Our group got up early, broke camp and left without seeing any signs of life from Kamla‘s tent. We headed back to the place we got ate the night before, the Anchor Grille, for breakfast. After asking the waitress and another local to confirm directions, we left as instructed going completely the wrong way. After making it to the interstate without seeing the landmark Dairy Queen we returned to downtown and called Susan to see where she was with the Tahoe. Now it was raining and some wanted to get raingear. We met her a block east of us at a convenience store getting gas and snacks. We had to take out the BOB trailers and dig through the bags to retrieve the raingear. As we are reloading the Tahoe, none other than Kamla rides up to ask directions from a local pumping gas. She didn’t notice us till we hollered at her. We all pedaled out of town together and about 10 miles later she had convinced herself we weren’t all crazy and allow us to stow her BOB in the Tahoe for transport. During Kevin’s 12 mile segment drive (we learned 20 miles was too long and thought the Canadians had it right with 20K between stops) he studied the state map and realized we could make up time by staying on the east side of the Missouri and heading to Pickstown instead of Burke. I was the third leg driver so John and I scouted out Kevin’s proposed route and nabbed some pizza in Platte before heading back to meet the team and have a picnic south of Academy. Later we hang out in a park in Platte eating snacks and took pictures with a pile of skulls in front of a taxidermist house. Later we made skyriding shots in a cornfield and on round bales of hay. Kamla thinks we’re funny and seems to be enjoying her ride with us. 86 miles later we pull into Pickstown and get a couple hotel rooms to pile into. Early in the morning my sister Susan and John have to leave to head back to OKC.

Day 34, July 11th, Pierre to Chamberlain 85 miles

Pictures: Kevin

Our Picnic, sandwiches with ranch

Susan's leftover sandwich

Backbreaking hill near Chamberlain

video: Diane Riding Speed Racer at the Laundromat

We planned on rotating driving the Tahoe in 20 mile segments. During the first 20 miles of the ride Susan and John went to Walmart to buy some essentials as well as food for a picnic lunch. We fought a respectable head wind then I caught a break by being the next driver. First John and I went back a few miles to try and find an arm pad that had fallen off Kevin’s handlebars then we headed past the riders to a spot on top a big hill 20 miles out. Just as John and I topped the rise we saw another cyclist. We pulled up to her and offered her water and Gatorade knowing it was at least 15 more miles to the next town. We stopped. She jackknifed her BOB (like a pro) and we exchanged the basic info on our rides. She started in Oregon and was riding solo to RAGBRAI. She had began the morning in Pierre, too, and was headed to Chamberlain, also. As she ate a banana and drank Gatorade she told me she was a grade school teacher near San Francisco and grew up near Council Bluffs, Iowa. She gave me the empty Gatorade bottle and empty banana peel and headed on her way. John and I waited for the others to arrive for lunch. When they got there I told them the story about the cyclist. They ribbed me cause I didn’t have any photos of her. I figured I had creeped her out enough by offering her unwashed strawberries and acting like I hadn’t seen another person in weeks. I’m sure a photo would have been grounds for my institutionalization. I parleyed for the next driver to catch up with her, Kamla, and offer her the Susan’s leftover half sandwich. Susan nipped that idea in the bud refusing to yield any of her sandwich and the group was thoroughly convinced that I had imagined the whole thing.
Kevin, Sylvia and John drove the SAG wagon for the last leg after they secured a campsite Kamla arrived met them and set up her tent…she wasn’t a mercyclist after all and I wasn‘t crazy. After showers and a beer we all went to dinner, Kamla joined us for dinner and hit it off with the group. I bumbled around and decided it was better if I just kept my mouth shut. Driving back to camp she asked me when we wake up in the morning to leave. I muttered something along the lines of 5:15 to 5:45. She said that was way too early for her and fled to her tent. Kevin, Sylvia, Diane and I finished laundry and had a blast playing with the free children’s rides and gumball machine while the clothes dried.

Crash

Pictures: Climbing on Day 2

Above Devil's Lake

Bill Susan and Rick on the summit of Loop Loop Pass

Dinner at uncle John's in Whitefish

Rick leads climb up Marias Pass

On top of Marias Pass

Moquitoes catch up to Rick

Three riders split off to continue on the Northern Tier: Stillwater Susan, California Rick and Oregon Bill.
Several days into their journey near Fargo, Oregon Bill and California Rick collided and went down. Bill got road rash. Rick had it worse breaking his arm between the elbow and shoulder bringing his ride to an end.
Rick and I hit it off from the beginning. We were the only ones doing the journey with panniers. Always feeling panniers were the right choice; drafting each other, standing to climb, secure and assured on fast descents. You’ve been n asset to the ride and a great friend. Thanks for all your advice, “There are no guarantees.“ I‘ll endeavor to make the most of each day. You’re a strong rider and missed by us all. Get well soon. Tim