Yesterday was the day where I question why I want to do this thing....Why would I want to ride my bike 500 miles.

Today I remembered why. The first town we rode into Spillville -this town was both home to a set of brothers that hand carved these incredible clocks and home(for a summer) to the great composer Dvorak. Plus, I ate a lot of pastries which helps.

Tomorrow is the last day and I'm glad.

Yesterday was a nice day-80 miles, about half of it with a tailwind, but I just got toasted.

You know you're sunburned when the zinc oxide cream you put on your ass ends up on your face to prevent more damage.

Today is a 74 mile day, I guess. I'm 17 miles into it.

I look SO dead sexy today.

My tan, taut body hurdled it's way across 62 miles today...and it was great. The temps are in the high 70s, it's sunny, and I'm sleeping in a house.

Yesterday we stayed at the home of a person that built grain elevators and silos. An interesting process.

Tonight I'm trying to rustle up some drunken debauchery.

If I do this next year I need to do it with someone that can really amp it up. I've kinda had enough of riding with a bunch of strange 40-60 year olds.

I'm kinda taking it easy today-It's noon and I'm only 30 miles into it.

Last night was exciting-we had 50-60 mph straightline winds with torrential rain in camp last night. I would have went inside, but if I wasn't in my tent I would have lost it and about half of my gear.

This might be my last blog for a couple days-we might not have internet tonight or tomorrow. But so far so good.

I learned that I might not be able to log my progress tomorrow-Iowa Telecom, who provides free internet and phone services to RAGBRAI wasn't allowed in the overnight town tomorrow or the next day.

But I'll make a post if I can.

Well, the first day of the ride is over.

I've got my tent set up(we're in someone's backyard), I've eaten a spaghetti dinner(at the high school), and the heat index for the day got up to 104 degrees. And I clocked in 71 miles, with my average speed being 13.7 miles per hour.

Tomorrow is going to be around 82 miles but it's pretty flat(1100 feet of climb versus today's 1800) and we should have a tailwind. Hopefully.

I got in at Le Mars Iowa today at about 1:00pm. I bought a new pair of cycling shorts(spandex, the best fabric known to man) and about 15 strands of beads.

I wonder if the Juvenile Diabetes people would be appalled by what I'm planning to do with the beads.

Well. On Saturday, I leave for Iowa to participate in my fifth RAGBRAI. As always, I will not only ride, but blog my way across Iowa.

I will discuss the merits and characteristics of horse manure, cow manure, bird shit, and pig slop. Hint: Horses are by far the best.

I will discuss the condition of my knees.

I will discuss the endless pasta dinners I will consume.

Blah, Blah, Blah.

I leave tomorrow morning.

I hate making fun of kids. But when one is stupid enough to wear these glasses, when they're 16 years old, I call it open season.

I'm not even going to comment on the fucking stuffed owl on his shoulder.





Am I evil?

This appears to be a pretty low key weekend.

Friday night I went with some college friends to dinner and Apple Valley's 4th of July Festival...

Yesterday I volunteered at the Walker for their First Free Saturday program. It was outside in the Sculpture Garden this month and I just got toasted. My pale redhead complexion can't stand more than 20 minutes in direct sunlight and I was there for 5 hours. So when I got home at 5ish, I just went to bed. I woke up at 11pm, and decided to get a movie. I ended up getting "De-Lovely" and "Bright Young Things." I watched "De-Lovely" last night.

And I watched "Bright Young Things" today.

I was planning on going to the Taste of Minnesota to see Bob Mould but I don't want to get any more burned.

I think tonight I'll just stay home and play piano.