Mom, We Rode and Rode and Rode
and Rode...
We took a total of 9 people this year. First on our list was Ms. Gunga Din,
Barbara Knapp. Next was our designated driver Dawn Southern. Finally we had 7
riders, Vic Hansen, Mark LeMieux, John Hirrill, Lee Griffin, Jim Griffin, Jackie
Pizarro, and Ken Hess. We left Tulsa just before 5:00 on Friday, 23 August.
Saturday - 24 August 1999
Man, it was HOT. You'd think that coming from Tulsa we would be 'used' to the
heat. NOT. We were not used to it, but knew how to handle it. Hydrate, hydrate,
hydrate... You get the picture. We arrived in Rock Rapids Saturday afternoon and
it was still over 95 with the heat index well over 110. It was all we could do
to get the tents set up and open the beers. After that, we were dead. But being
good soldiers, we forced ourselves to go downtown and consume mass quantities of
tasty beverages, aka beer. Luckily, we had our designated driver along.
Beer and provision stop at Sam's in Council Bluffs early Saturday afternoon.
Sunday - 25 August 1999
Woke up before 5:00 with a helicopter hovering near the campground. What
village idiot was responsible for that. Since it was stifling even at that
point, it was useless trying to go back to sleep. We all just laid there and
sweated.
We slowly rose and finally hit the road in 2 different groups. The first
group (John, Ken and Jackie) left just after 6:00 with the other 4 leaving
around 7:00 (what's the hurry). Luckily, we had a fairly flat route the first
few days to get acclimated. Sunday was rather uneventful and all went well.
Sunday evening, we stayed at Carl & Tom Parks home in Spencer. What a
wonderful couple. We can't say enough kind things about them. Besides allowing
us to use their showers and yard, they actually fixed us breakfast the next
morning.
Entire crew at Parks home in Spencer Sunday evening. Standing from left to right
is Vick, Jackie, Dawn, Ken, Lee, John & Jim. Down below are Barbara and Mark.
Monday - 26 August 1999
The first group was not in quite as much of a hurry today and we all left
about 7:30. We all took our time and finally arrived in Algona late that day.
With guidance from Dean Benschoter of the local Rotary club, we ended up camping
at Veteran's Park. The only down side to that camp site was the inconsiderate
'people' next door who thought running their generator all night was a good
idea. Please, if you are reading this and own a generator, remember. We (and
most other campers) don't want to hear it. If you have a generator, move to a
camp site away from EVERYBODY.
Showers were a treat in Algona. We went down to the local utility maintenance
building and were allowed to use their COLD showers. At least it had water
pressure and was free. If we hadn't waited for a couple of hours before
showering, it probably would have felt great. As it was, it was tolerable.
Team Beer using the Iowa Port-A-Potties.
Tuesday - 27 August 1999
Once again, we all left at the same time, about 7:00. At least today, there
was a small break in the heat. Not quite as stifling. By the way, today, Vic
didn't ride. Instead, he allowed Dawn to experience RAGBRAI from a bicycle seat
rather that van seat.
We stopped in Ventura at a local bar, had a couple of drinks for the final
ride into Clear Lake and watched a rather innovative method of tattoo
application by a member of Team Checker.
Our camp ground was in Clear Lake State Park and was great. The lake felt
good, the showers were free (included with camping fee) and actually warm. We
went out for dinner and made it back just in time to put things away before the
wind actually hit and started blowing EZ-Ups and camping tents around. With the
guidance of our emergency coordinator (Mark), we managed to salvage everything.
Somewhere around 2:00 in the morning, we were awakened by the park rangers
arresting the campers next to us. Apparently, they had a tiff with someone else
around us and it finally ended up with them being escorted away.
Being an owner of a bike store in Tulsa, Mark was interested in diversification
ideas.
Wednesday - 28 August 1999
Well, the heat is back with a vengeance. Waking up and trying to find
anything with the temperature almost 80 already and the humidity around 80 (or
higher) was fun. We got a late start and didn't leave until about 8:00. Most of
us rode together, except Mark. In his younger days he spent time in Waverly and
was anxious to get to town and begin visiting his old college friends.
Once the rest of us arrived, we were treated like family. Sandi Wedemeier had
dinner, pies, showers, etc. prepared for us. Mark got to see old college friends
he hadn't seen for almost 20 years and we were the beneficiary of Sandi's
kindness.
Jim soaking his feet after another warm day in the saddle. Luckily, he didn't
try to sit in the cooler.
Thursday - 29 August 1999
Hey, what's this thing where the road goes up and down. Once again, we all
left at the same time. Mark, Vic and Jim took the day off and again, Dawn rode.
Just her luck. When the hills come up, she gets to ride again.
Actually, the hills weren't as bad as we were led to believe they would be.
Mainly rollers. Just what we train on around Tulsa. (Yes, we have hills in
Oklahoma). The big problem, again, was the heat.
We arrived late in the day at the home of Stan and Donna Fullerton in
Decorah. Again, they were most gracious hosts, providing showers, telephones and
use of their basement for sleeping. It was much cooler down there than outside.
Apparently, Stan had pulled a few strings to get the shower in the basement
working. Thanks.
We went downtown and had dinner and Jim, Lee and Barbara decided to make a
night of it. Why do we do these foolish things before the hardest day? Maybe
just for the additional challenge.
Land whales in Iowa?
Friday - 30 August 1999
Vic and Jim took the day off again. Probably the only smart ones in the
group. Besides Saggy Thursday 4 years ago, Friday was one of the hardest days I
have ever spent on a bicycle. Not only did we have pretty good climbs for the
first 50 miles (going downhill was not even fun, you knew you would just have to
go back up), but it was hot. Hot enough to melt the tar on the road to fill in
the cracks.
Thanks to everyone who had sprinklers or hoses out, we made it into Decorah
late in the day and were welcomed by Gary & Donna Reeder. It sounds repetitious,
but, again we were treated like family. Besides the shower facilities and the
basement, they had bought a couple of cases of beer for us. Of course, we felt
obligated to drink some of it.
Dinner at their church was perfect and we returned to the comfort of their
air conditioned basement and chatted with them until about 11:30 or 12:00 at
which time we were falling asleep.
Saturday - 31 August 1999
Looking at the weather radar upon arising Saturday morning, we decided we had
had enough. It looked like a pretty heavy thunderstorm was coming and none of us
were anxious to ride in the rain with 10,000 other cyclists. We packed up and
headed home to Tulsa. After a long day of driving, we arrived in Tulsa at about
9:00 that evening.
In Summary
Well, would we do it again. Most of us are ready to go back next year. Dawn
got to ride more than she expected and wants to go along as a rider next year,
not driver. It pretty much depends on everybody's schedules, but some of us are
already planning.
Why is this ride so special? I think it is because of the people of Iowa.
This is my 5th year to be involved in RAGBRAI in one way or another. Jim and I
(Lee) rode in 1995, vended in 1996 and me, my wife, my son Zach, my sister
Barbara, and some of her kids have vended the last 2 years. Everywhere we go in
Iowa, whether it is as a rider, vendor, driver, etc. you are welcome. I don't
know. Maybe it is just during RAGBRAI, but I doubt it.
Thanks to the people of Iowa for making this ride a memorable event for
everyone. | 
