RAGBRAI Day 1 and 2

Excerpts from Monte's journal this RAGBRAI

Saturday & Sunday, July 18 & 19
Day 1:
I was on a high. My good friend Newman and I had just participated in the Tour de Fat. We both had an amazing time with the people. It was relaxing and nice knowing we all shared a common purpose, or should I say 3 common purposes: Bike, Beer, Fun.

My journey would be tough and I knew it. However, I did not anticipate how tough it would be to leave Mia & Ani. The tears welled up before the actual moment, but it hit me like a ton of bricks. I made my good-byes short and off I headed to RAGBRAI.

First stop was Shatak Lake about 60 miles away from the house. The city was busy as usual but as I hit Eagan and Rosemount, the tranquility and wind in my ears felt good.... and then I got a flat. Every biker gets them - nobody wants them. My new tires on the bike had not thwarted the carpet tack in the road.

New tube and on we go... KLANK. I look down and my cassette/gears exploded and took out my fender mount. I can't go on so I call Mia and the rescue is made. Seeing the family puts a smile on the face despite the bike circumstances. I make the quick fix at home, taking a wheel from the Legolas and mounting it to the Bob Brown. Mount fender and rack on the same eyelet and she is good as new. Warm meal and then straight to bed at 9 pm.

Day 2:
Pancakes are my favorite before a ride. I have them made before Mia and Ani awaken. We have a little breakfast coffee and Mia asks where and when I will start riding. I want to ride the whole way but cannot commit to all the miles. We settle on where I broke down yesterday. I get dropped off and this time, the good-byes are easy as if I've already left. Cool breeze and I'm off to Clear Lake, Iowa which is 120 miles away.

The day warms, but not too sweltering. I pass beer cans, cigarette boxes, and car parts all day long and finally hit Fairbault and the Shataka Trail. Gorgeous, tree-carved trail that takes me to Watertown.

Feeling really good at 40 miles. Heat and traffic take its toll on Highway 13. I eat at a pizza buffet at Waseca. Good, but the folks in Waseca must have thought I was from Mars. Lots of looks, but I am too worried about the food to care. I head south on 13, it gets quiet and my legs burn with each turn. I am in pain, everything hurts and I see my average speed drop quickly.

I stop for water and Gatorade - quick perk to get me to the final town/stop - Rice Lake Park, which is about as big as our backyard. No toilet, just a lake. I set up shop under a tree on a hill, fix tire, call family and parents, then shower in the lake. It doesn't take long, as I am tired. It was a 10-hour trip, 125 miles. Sun is setting behind trees... 7:47 pm,I'm going to bed. Avg. 15 mph.

Goal Made

He made it to Ames yesterday. Can't imagine how his legs must feel from riding nearly 250 miles in 2 days! He was able to spend the night at the Sig Ep house, so no worries about tent set-up and freezing his butt off again. 

This morning, Monte called around 10:30 and was already in Indianola. He rode in the rain most of the way. I'm sure he is excited to finally meet up with the rest of the RAGBRAI crew (including Justin). When we talked again around 4pm this afternoon, he was relaxing in his tent reading his Boneshaker book and listening to music in the background. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that he and Justin are having a few beers right now?

On a side note, this is kind of a cool story I found while poking around the RAGBRAI website.

Another 100-Mile Day

Monte made it yesterday to Lake Mills, IA - just short of his Clear Lake goal. This map gives you an idea of how far he rode. Obviously, he didn't take a straight shot down 35 like the map shows, but you get a feel for the distance.

He was extremely cold in his tent last night and apparently did not sleep well. He put on every piece of clothing he had to stay warm! Today is another 100+ mile day - his goal is to make it to Ames. I believe he will be staying in his old fraternity there, but I'm not sure. 

Justin and his boxed-up bike are on a bus right now down to Des Moines - he and Monte will meet up tomorrow.

On The Road Again

Monte left this morning for Iowa. He's meeting up with the RAGBRAI crew in Indianola on Tuesday. Yes, he is biking all the way from Minneapolis to Indianola, then onto Burlington, IA. He initially took off from the house yesterday after the Tour de Fat, but called me about an hour and a half later to say his bike "broke". He'll have to explain what exactly happened, but something with the rear tire and it was serious enough that I had to go pick him up and bring him back home. 

So after switching out the rear tire on his Bob Brown, he was good to go, but waited to take off again until this morning. Otherwise he would not have made it to his initial 1st overnight destination near Waseca because it would have been dark. 

Monte called me about an hour ago saying he had made it to Northfield and everything was going well. He plans to bike all the way to Clear Lake, IA today. Since he has all day, it should definitely be possible. 

He is riding with all of his gear on the back of his bike, just like he did for RAGBRAI last summer. Justin is meeting up with him near Indianola as well, so they will ride together Tues-Sat. Here's a pic right before he left us yesterday. Best picture of them yet. 

Ani Won

A fight broke out at day care today - Ani vs. another toddler who was stealing "her" toy. She won, but in the midst of successfully pulling the toy away from the other child, she wacked herself in the eye. Nice little red mark on her lower lid. She's a fighter!

MNSCS #5 - Memorial Classic

Memorial Classic in Red Wing, MN - July 12.

This Red Wing course offered fast sections for strong riders, tight and twisty single track for the technically adept, and a few good climbs for those who like to go up. Monte's favorite course thus far.

Monte's race results:

Sport Men 35-39

1st place in age group! (out of 11 riders in that class/age group)

31st place overall

Time: 1:15:40

Start of the race. Monte's the 2nd one from the left in a black jersey, white helmet.

The exciting finish - Monte pulling ahead of his competitor just in the nick of time. That guy ended up being 2nd place in his age group so it was a tight race.

Note: We missed MNSCS #4 - we were in Iowa.

Tomato Tomahto

In many ways, I take after my mom. Monte would say I talk with my hands, just as she does, and I sometimes say the same little phrases that she does. We are both very sentimental and family-oriented. We both LOVE to read, especially mystery/thriller books and have a passion for travel. We are definitely alike in many ways.... except for where she has an amazing Green Thumb, I have an amazing Black Thumb.

But I'm trying to overcome that. Case in point - my 1st successful tomato grown on a plant that I nurtured! Well, Monte helped too - he had to remind me to water it. I haven't eaten it yet, so we'll see if it's really "successful".