Day #41
I took an off day on Sunday (Father’s Day). My legs were hurting and so I needed to rest. I slept in late, then walked down to Casey’s for a little breakfast (there isn’t much open in this town on Sunday’s) and then went to the 9:00 service at the First Lutheran Church. It was nice to be in church, but the sermon wasn’t that good and only one person talked to me the whole time. I wish I would have went to a different church.
I picked up a sandwich for lunch and spent most of the day chilling out in my hotel room. I spoke with my Dad, my son and other family members. I did a lot of reading (I’m still reading “Braiding Sweetgrass”). Watched a good movie called “Inspired to Ride” (a recommendation from Scott) which was about an unsupported bike race across America.
You get the idea. I gave my legs the day off. My legs felt better by the end of the day, but were still a little sore.
I put together a plan for riding on Monday, but the weather forecast doesn’t look good. I went to bed early with hopes of getting some miles in on Monday.
Day #42
I woke up at 5:00 (before my alarm) and looked at the weather. The radar was all rain and thunderstorms, but the forecast called for the rain to end at 1:00. So, I went back to bed and got some more sleep.
I got up at 7:30, and nothing much had changed. It looked like the rain would stop at 10:00 where I was at, but I would be biking into it before it cleared. I had to check out of my hotel at 10:00, so I made a decision to ride and get to the next hotel, which was 84 miles away. I solidified that decision by making a hotel reservation.
My decision to ride was based on a few assumptions (that I hoped were all true). First, the rain would let up in the afternoon. Second, I could find shelter if there was a thunderstorm or heavy rain. Third, the winds were forecast to be from the south and southeast (which would mean a tailwind), and that would help me make that distance. Fourth, the temperature was in the low 70’s and forecast to get into the 80’s, so I wouldn’t be cold. Fifth, the weather for tomorrow wasn’t looking too good either. It probably didn’t help that I watched that “Inspired to Ride” movie yesterday, and the cyclists in the movie were biking in some pretty bad weather. I’m pretty soft, because I avoid all rain and like to stay in hotels each night.
I put on my kayak shoes and prepared for a wet ride. Even if it doesn’t rain on me, the roads are wet and I’ll be splashed by the passing cars.
At 10:00 I checked out of my hotel and it wasn’t raining. But, I could see on the radar that another band of rain was coming soon. So, I biked to Casey’s and bought a sandwich, then biked to the park to eat it under the picnic shelter. I had gone half a mile and was again waiting for the rain to stop.
I started riding again at 10:45. The roads were wet and I felt a few sprinkles, but not that bad. The winds were blowing strong out of the SE, so I had a great tailwind. The roads were in great shape with little traffic, so I made good time.
As I’ve traveled west, there have been fewer hills and what hills there are are gently sloped. I can tell that I’m getting to the Great Plains. Here is a picture of the typical road that I was biking on today.
I went through a small town every 10 to 20 miles. I would stop in each town to get something to eat and drink and to check the weather. The weather forecast and radar were clear until I got to Swea City after 60 miles.
At Swea City I noticed thunderstorms building and about to hit Estherville, which is my destination. So, I knew that I was going to be delayed by these storms. Immediately after I made this observation, a man my age named Irwin sat down next to me and we chatted for a while. It was interesting to hear about growing up in this part of Iowa.
I continued on to the last town before Estherville, Armstrong. I was sure I could make it there before the storm. I arrived at 3:45 which put me at 68 miles for the day. I was making great time!! I got some food at Casey’s and went to the local park to wait out the storm. Fortunately, there was a picnic shelter at the park with outlets. So, I charged my phone and lights while I waited.
I called a few people and did some reading. It took until 6:30 for the slow moving thunderstorm to clear my path. So, I was delayed for almost three hours, but I was sheltered.
There was still a tailwind when I resumed riding, and I biked the remaining 16 miles in an hour. All of my assumptions about the day turned out to be correct. Sorry for not taking more pictures today, but I kept my phone in a waterproof bag most of the day.
I finished the day in Estherville, IA. For the day, I biked 87 miles. I averaged 15 mph, which is by far the best pace on this trip. I climbed 1,100 feet.
Tomorrow still looks like a rainy day, especially in the afternoon. I’ll make a plan in the morning.
You’re amazing and I love you! Keep dodging the storms.
“Riding The Storm Out” REO Speedwagon – Great Song
“Riders In The Storm” The Doors – Great Song
At sea I always said, “Fair weather never made a good sailor.” Ashore, I’m totally with you, a fair weather rider. Glad you are able to find a safe harbor during the storms. No need to be:
RIDERS ON THE STORM…..
I remember Estherville from when I did my cross-country, almost 40 years ago. I was going in the opposite direction as you and it was the end of a particularly difficult day. It was hot and, just like you, I had run out of water. I found a farmhouse where the people there were most gracious and helped me fill my bottles. I arrived in Estherville as the sun was setting and was riding down the main street when a car came along side me and its horn was honking like crazy. It was a young lady in her twenties. She asked me the usual questions, “Where are you coming from,” Where are you going,” etc. She insisted I accompany her to her home where she and her husband would put me up for the night and buy me pizza. I was so tired, and grateful for the opportunity, as that day was one of the lowest days in my trip and I needed some propping up. They were the perfect couple to do this. They were crazy “bicycle people” who were getting ready for Ragbrae. they had a little girl and a tandem with a kiddy seat on the back in their dining room packed up and all ready to go. Definitely my kind of people. This born and raised California boy had never been out of my native state before, much less on a ten-speed, and I had no idea what Ragbrae was. Anyhow, they made a place for me to sleep in the living room, fed me and we shared bicycle stories. It was a wonderful evening, just what I needed. (Actually, the entire trip was filled with incidents in which I was treated to exactly what I needed at the time.) As it turned out that night, there was a violent thunderstorm and torrential rain. I shudder to think what may have happened, had I not met them, as I surely would have been sleeping in my tent somewhere and been all but washed away. These two wonderful people, Roger and Laurel Hash, are still in Estherville and still riding. They have a shop called “Roger’s Bikes and Stuff” on Grandview Avenue, and two daughters who are grown and are cyclists too.
Thank you for sharing that story. I have also found that people are wonderful and are glad to help others in need.