RAGBRAI Day 1

We rode from Glenwood to Atlantic today. And it was HOT! It was HOT and HILLY and I have HEARTBURN. The thing about all of this is that I can't complain in my camp, because my team has a whiner award... and if I complain they will give me a pacifier to wear all day. I don't need a pacifier tan.
It was so hot and hilly that I considered who could come get me and what the repercussions would be of just up and leaving RAGBRAI.
I saw some cool stuff. The largest bike in the word was Lewis, at the top of a hill... And there were two guys with "ordinary" bikes. I had to ask around camp what they're called, and there's some debate. But ordinary sounds the best. But they have giant front wheels and one little tiny bottom one. I should have watched to see how to get on the bike. It's still a mystery. But props to those guys.
Also, I heard a rumor that there's a woman with one leg riding a bike. Not a hand crank, not a recumbent... She is rocking a real deal road bike! I want to meet her SO BAD. If nothing else just to shake her hand. This day almost ended in tears for me. I can't imagine doing the whole ride on my right leg.
Well, I have to get back to my team. Wish me luck on day 2. I hear it's going to be hilly...
FYI: Iowa's NOT FLAT!

I'm Leaving... For RAGBRAI!

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go

I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye

Looking at my bags packed I hear this song… Not the John Denver version, definitely the Armageddon version. When I was younger I owned about 3 VHS movies,( and now I own about 3 DVDs). But Armageddon was one of those. I watched it more than I’ve ever watched any other movie.

But It’s true, every place I go, I think of you! I’ll be blogging and constantly thinking of a tweet to send out to our viewers and my followers. Anything tagged #RAGBRAI13 will show up on our webpage at http://www.whotv.com/sports/ragbrai/.

I set up my tent in my apartment this week. I works. I tried to set it up on top of my bed, (the wood floors just weren’t appealing,) but it hit the fan.

I dropped off my bike at the load site this evening and I leave for Glenwood tomorrow morning. Here are a few great tips I’ve gotten in the last few days

-Hydrate!

-Ear plugs and eye mask are a must-have

-If you hurt, stop. For, at least, a little while.

-Strike up conversations. Not only does it make the miles fly by, you hear some amazing stories.

Now the time has come to leave you. (but I’ll be blogging all week!)
One more time let me kiss you (or shake your hand)
Close your eyes I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times, I won't have to say…

See you on the road! RAGBRAI XXXIX