The T-Wash Ride: Covid Files

So much bicycle themed art on this trail yet so few riders this day.  Malvern, Iowa.

We placed our time off requests in 6 or 7 months ago and never rescinded them.  Ragbrai or not we were going to ride.  Mary's Heroes always ride in late July.  And generally we do not ride on the Ragbrai route but ride the same week just start a few days earlier.  Then the Novel Covid-19 Pandemic hit and Ragbrai was cancelled.  But we were determined to ride.  For me it was going to be my last full week of my covid induced sabbatical, I was furloughed then laid off but I'd be working a new job before the month ended.

Head west, Heroes, head west!  Sunday we would meet on the T-Bone Trail just north of Atlantic, IA, and ride to Audubon, IA, before turning around.  Then we loaded up and drove to Shenandoah, IA, for two days on the Wabash Trace Trail.  We took lightly packed touring bicycles and stayed two nights at the Shenandoah Inn & Suites.

Day 1 The T-Bone Trail

Audubon, Iowa

Joe's bike on a favorite trestle bridge near the T-Bone Trail.

For whatever reason the trail does not cross here but a beautiful deck was built instead of a bridge.  Always a nice stop on the T-Bone Trail.  Note to self: get a kickstand!

Spotted here WEEKS before the story broke out. Iowa's favorite beer.

A Great Pyrenees in Audubon.  Our Pyr, Fritz, was born on a farm not to far away from here.  They could be related.

Because I had to do something right at 8 am that required stable internet, Mary and left an hour after Donnie ad Joe.  We parked our CR-V next to Joe's truck at the gas station right off the Atlantic exit on I-80.  The trail, despite stating that it begins in Atlantic, fizzles out somewhere on a gravel road near Atlantic. The gas station and motel are more convenient for parking and safer too.  There is a problem with gravel over a small part of the trail, drifting off the shoulder of Highway 71, just prior to crossing the highway. No big deal but something to watch out for.  

The Kitten  Not long after crossing 71 we encountered a very young kitten on the trail.  Very young.  White with grey spots.  Just weaned I suppose.  We would have loved to have taken it with us but that was not practical.  Crying out for help.  I offer it a meat stick that Mary broke into smaller pieces.  There was a house nearby and we hoped that it was from there.  Maybe that cat was an omen or warning.  Turn around and go home.

Rolling on it was not until Exira, IA, that the four of us caught up with each other in the shade of a park.  From there we rode together the rest of the day.  Getting hungry we remembered Daryl's Place in Hamlin, IA, but it was closed.  Sunday, covid or bad economy we did not know so we continued to Audubon taking the obligatory photo with Albert the Bull.  Across the highway from Albert was a farm with goats and an ever watchful Great Pyrenees guarding them.  I took a photo of this dog as my Pyrenees was born just outside of Audubon and I like seeing Pyrs doing what they were bred to do.  Bark at strangers and guard livestock.  I wondered if Fritz was related to this one.

After photos it was time to eat. Stopped at Cliff's but they only serve frozen pizzas.  El Adobe Mexican Restaurant just closed for the day.  One and done and head to Waspy's Truck Stop.  This family owned plaza has a nice motel, truck service area, carwash, restaurant and convenience store. We were hoping that The Feed Mill was open, closed on Sundays.  We just discovered that but the convenience store was serving food and had an airconditioned seating area.  Donnie's pork tenderloin was the winner despite the rest of us never seeing it.  He had to wait four minutes for it to cook while the rest of us selected grab and go food, bacon cheeseburgers and fried chicken, and found a table.  Donnie never found the table until he had finished eating. He said it was like a thick breaded pork loin in size.

The trip back was hot and the sun fried us.  Three beer stops, one on the trestle bridge on a gravel road that intersects the trail, mandatory stop, another at the gazebo at Exira.  Here we found a sign posted about a scavenger hunt on the trail that explained the strange objects we saw.  On the way up we saw toys and such on trail.  There was a an orange "fairy" on a bench and some plastic colorful tools hanging in a tree.  I thought that some kid in a Burley got bored and tossed the stuff out unbeknownst to the parent pulling the trailer.  This happens.  Our final stop was at the park in Brayton, IA,  Shade and restrooms with flush toilets and hand sinks.  A agricultural helicopter was either practicing or selling rides as it seemed to be looping the area from the Audubon airfield.  Also an olive drab aircraft similar to a WWII observation plane was flying around the area as well.   Sadly, the kitten was still in the same area although at first not moving.  Mary and Joe thought it was dead but when Donnie and I rolled by it got up and ran to the trees.

The a/c of our vehicles never felt better.  No where to change, just load up the bikes and purchase Gatorade from the gas station.  It seemed like a long drive to Shenandoah.  We took old highways and county roads.  On one occasion a modern helicopter popped up to our left.  I suppose it was a crop duster but we never saw it again.  Just driving along and sensing that something was out there and see an bright orange or red mast helicopter at our level parallel to us over a cornfield.  Strange.  The other strange event was the woman at the Casey's parking lot in Essex, IA.  Noting our bright bicycle regalia and the bikes hanging off the back of Joe's truck, Mary's bike and mine safely hidden inside our Honda, she felt compelled to let her excitement out.  I heard "Ragbrai!"  

"I was here when Ragbrai came to town!" 

 

"I don't know how you do it.  Drink all day and night and get back on that tiny seat."

Training.  Start out with a sawhorse and a 12 pack of Busch Light....But evil Chris shouted "cocaine" as she looked a bit methalated.  Donnie said she smelled bad and could not wait for Joe to put the truck into gear and step on the gas pedal.  Funny thing is that we probably were very stinky ourselves!  Still nice to know that not everyone hates cyclists or Ragbrai.

We got to our hotel an hour or half an hour later.  Check in.  Put on deodorant and clean clothes and head to the Mexican restaurant that was recommended and closed at 8 pm.  We got there before 8 but they stopped seating at 730.  So we went to Mondo's Restaurant despite receiving a negative recommendation.  We were able to sit and eat inside.  A large menu and inexpensive.  Mary and I ate for $23.  The only thing I did not care for was the need for this place to have its grill hoods cleaned and fryers cleaned and changed out with fresh oil.  Those issues were wafting in the air.  But service was excellent and the food was good.  And we were grateful.

And that was when it hit us, Covid + Sunday = issues.  Everything is either closed or limited hours and take out only.  And that is fine if you know this ahead of time or are a local.  But for 4 spoiled Metro people like us it is a shock.  Back to square 1 again.  We all brought masks.  We just had to have our act together and be cleaned up before 7 pm.

Day 2 The Wabash Trace Nature Trail

My gravel/touring/grocery getter/urban bike with slicks is my most ridden bike thus far in 2020 with over 1600 miles on the clock as of this writing.  Next closest bike has almost 900 miles for2020.

We gave them two chances.  Mondays are not business days here.  Sometimes it felt like we were the only people around for miles.

Deeply lined up.

Remains of a railcar...

The Great Trail Wreck.  I imagine that the railcars were drug to the river bank then emptied.  Not worth the effort to pull them out.

As predicted, it rained over night and we experienced a thunderstorm about the time we would have liked to been riding.  Looking at the weather on the local news it seemed like by 10 am we'd be safe for riding.  I think we finally started at 930 am after a trip to Wal Mart and take out breakfast from McDonalds.  It was 66*F when we rolled out.  But within 3 miles we stopped and removed our warmth layers.  Humidity.  A little later I stopped to let air out of my tires.  The trail surface is crushed limestone.  The rain made it very soft.  Our speed varied between 8 mph to 20 mph depending on the surface and if we were going up or downhill.  Rail grade but changes in grade affect speed greater on soft surfaces.  Prospects of a long ride.

We rode north toward Council Bluffs on our first day because we had all day to explore the towns and their offerings.  The second day we would head south and do the only thing that one can do on this section, ride across the State Line into Missouri.  There is nothing in the towns along this part.  So Silver City was the target of the day.

It was slow going as mentioned before.  A beautiful trail but a slow hard ride.  None of us had the proper tires.  Needed wide and low pressure.  I missed the touring tandem with its MTB tires.  Alas, you ride the bike you brought and not the one you left at home.  Then a light bulb went off: buy an extra set of wheels and have the wide mud tires on them.  Too late.  At least it never rained on us although at times it looked like it may have.  Imogene was the first town.  The bar, Emerald City, was closed. Roll on to Malvern, IA.

This trail has....lost my thought as those three words were written weeks ago and I have just returned to send this miserable write up on its way.

It is the day Ragbrai was supposed to have started.  We are on the western part of the state.  Thousands of cyclists in Iowa have no obligation this week because they were hoping Ragbrai was going to happen.  Yet we see 6 others on bikes on this trail.  4 were a family.  The remaining two were together on touring bikes.  We saw the latter two again on way back.  They commented that we were the only people they saw.  Maybe the rainy weather kept everyone at home.

Giant bicycle greeted us when we entered Malvern from the south.

The bicycle sculpture in Malvern.

I think this was a tenderloin.  Looks like the oil needed to be changed in the fryer.

Mary had the Rueben.

Bicycle/tractor art in Malvern.

"Hot Liner." Sting Ray impression.

We had lunch in Malvern at a café on the main drag.  Had to eat outside due to the covid.  But the rain was done and it was not terribly humid or hot.  Despite the lack of cyclists the town is covered with bicycle art.  The trailhead has a huge bicycle and in an empty space on the main road there is a beautiful mural and sculpture made from bicycles. Later we find a tractor that is holding several kids bikes as some sort of art project.

We decide to turn around here and abandon any thoughts of going to Silver City.  Slow trail plus a beer stop every 5 miles and the need to secure dinner before 7 pm strikes and the restaurants lock up take priority.  One or two bridge stops and another go at the bar in Imogene.  We discover a shower stop in Imogene.  An old corn crib is on a concrete surface with two showers and toilets and electricity. Good for bicycle camping.  But again the bar was closed so we drank our own. Monday is a slow day in this part of Iowa.

Back in Shenandoah we discover that the Depot brewery is open until 9 pm and is serving dinner.  We have time to shower before we eat.  We are covered in mud from the trail and sweaty.  After dinner we walk to a nearby bar but it is closed.  Monday and covid.

The Covid Beer Tent at The Depot in Shenandoah. Good beer!

Mary and I.  Who shirt courtesy of Kammeier LLC.

There was an ice cream shop on our way back to the hotel.  This is called "Cookie Monster."

Studebaker President built when cars had style.  Shenandoah, Iowa.

Tuesday morning it was raining and the radar looked nasty.  We packed it in and headed home.  At least we had two days of riding together.  No flats or injuries although my chain was in bad need of Tri-Flow.  The Great Covid Rides of Isolation came to an end.  Once what was fun and exciting faded out to mud and disappointment.  Yet looking at the photos I smiled.  I had a great time.  We stopped at the T-Bone Trail to see if the kitten was still there.  We did not find it.  We would have taken it home.  Always next year.

40oz on the 4th Covid Edition

Our repair spot near Copper Creek.  Derik in the lower left corner.  Paul near the sign.  Chris in right corner.  Others hidden in the shade.

Pandemic be damned!  But early morning start culls riders more than the novel corona virus.  Another successful ride.  No causalities.  Hotternfuk outside.  No, the humidity and high UVs made it miserable.

The Magnificent Seven left the Green Bridge at 830 am and rode to Bondurant, Iowa, and back.  New riders this year were Rex W and Brad O.  Veteran riders, Paul, Derik, Chris M, Mary and myself.  We took the MLK Sidepath to E 25th and then Scott Ave for a mile+ to the Gay Lea Wilson Trailhead in Pleasant Hill, IA.  We we reached the split in the trail we rolled through Copper Creek and onto the Four Mile Creek Trail which led us to the new extension of the Chichaqua Valley Nature Trail near Berwick, IA.  6 miles later we were in Bondurant.  The restrooms and water bottle filling station were open!  And we needed them. Then a quick stop at Casey's for food and electrolytes.  Onward to the new trail section to the original trailhead of the Chichaqua trail which is located next to the new "weddin' barn' (http://www.irishmanacres.com/ ) where a lovely couple were gettin' hitched!

Derik fixing his flat.  Not fun on a hot summer day.  Never fun.

Tire sealant spluge.  

We did experience our first flat tire on this ride.  A plug in Derik's bike blew out as we were leaving Copper Creek.  It was hoped the misfortune belonged to the group of cyclists that we encountered at that moment who were going the other way.  Nope.  Found a shady spot and Derik put a tube in knowing that he had to address the situation sometime soon after getting home (tubeless sealant + tube + heat + time makes it a bitch to fix future tire changes.

Back to biking in Bondu...I regret that just moments before I failed to take a photo of Derik and Chris.  Along the new stretch near a new development and the 210 degree turn I looked over my shoulder and saw those two riding with all the vegetation between me and them and I thought "wow, what a great sight and photo op!"  But I kept rolling because stopping and pulling my camera out of my pocket and removing it from its protective Ziploc bag with my sweaty over sanitized fingers would have been an effort at that moment and it felt like we were directly under the sun.  NOTE TO SELF: get helmet mounted camera.

After reaching the trailhead and regrouping it was time to return as we had ridden 20 miles from the Green Bridge.  The route home consisted of empty county roads until we reached the new trail that is located near NW 54th and connects to the Gay Lea Wilson Trail  in Altoona, IA.  Then take that back to the Scott Ave trailhead in Pleasanthill and return to Des Moines.

40oz were purchased at Best Trip, the BP station across from Tumea & Sons.  If this will be part of 2021's ride I will need to contact the liquor manager here and suggest that they stock up.  No Miller 40oz's available but a 42oz of OE was an option that no one chose.  Bud Heavy was the popular choice.

Brad, proprietor of  Fred's Bikes, was gracious and allowed us to consume said beverages inside his bicycle shop so we could get out of the sun and into the a/c.  Thank you very much, Brad.  Maybe next year I will host the finish at our house and grill something to eat.  In years past we have ridden to bars after the 40oz were gone but finding open bars on a holiday and during a pandemic is difficult.  Plus the heat was horrid and hitting the bottle, can or pint pot is really not a good idea with these conditions.  But as we were enjoying our reward my phone rang. Apparently, my adult children needed us home to help them celebrate Independence Day.  We were late.  One and done and then get my grill on!

Another note:  We saw more people out on bicycles this July 4th than all the 40oz rides combined.  The trails were busy.

Another Note:  Thank you Scott S for the "Merica jersey!  Great price and fast delivery!  Bike Iowa!!!

I hope more people can join us in the future.  I realize that it has an early start but that Sun is a mean mother and the humidity in July is oppressive.  Generally we take fast bikes as it is not necessary to carry anything other than a phone, cash and tire repair plus simple tools.  40oz on the 4th should be part of your holiday so you can enjoy the rest of the day with family and friends.  Besides, 40 ounces of beer gets you primed to celebrate 'Merica!!!

Mary went for the wine cooler that tastes like Kool Aid.  Nice choice in colors!

Smokey Row To Smokey Row: I Got Smoked

At the beginning....

Been a long time since we rode to Pella, Iowa.  Done this a mere handful of times and nothing in the last decade.  In the early to mid-1990s the DMACC (Des Moines Area Cycle Club) would occasionally hold a ride to there.  Ragbrai, of course, brought us there.  But the time it takes to get there from our place is the main deterrent.  Our house to Pleasantville is a 30 mile round trip.  Why not cut the trip short and ride from Pleasantville, Iowa?  That would save us 60 miles.  Start at Smokey Row café in P-Ville and ride to Smokey Row in Pella.  We like expresso and they are open.  Get to ride on the Volksweg Trail on the north side of Lake Red Rock.

We took our best road bikes and started in front of the empty grocery store near the coffee shop in Pleasantville.  The first stretch was on the blacktop of County Highway G40.  As in the past, an smooth empty road with a decent shoulder if a car needed to pass.  Minor rolling hills makes it a fun road for biking.

Buzzard Beach.  Mary pondered if the branches were arranged for the vultures.  Nobody does anything for these important birds except kill animals for them to eat.

After 9 miles Highway 14 is reached.  Been on this a few times.  As it is near the lake people are not surprised to see bicycles.  We head north for two miles and cross the Des Moines River and eventually take a right on G28 and climb a short hill to Cordova Park.  Looking to my right I see 5 turkey vultures sunning themselves on a log and because I have a young grandchild I start singing a song about it.  "5  Lil' turkey vultures sitting on a log.  One fell off and hit his head.  I called the park ranger and the park ranger said "that's how turkey vultures get red heads."  Yeah, dumb.

  

The view of the Des Moines River from the Highway 14 bridge.  We live just a half mile away from this river upstream from here and it is not as wide in our neighborhood.  Took this photo in the morning.  Did not see the "no stopping" sign until the return.  Of note are the clouds.  We drove through light rain.  Radar showed the rain close but moving out of our area.  It never rained on us.

Looking upstream.

Looking north.  Keep that rain away!

My recce on Thursday revealed that they are extending the Volksweg to Cordova Park.  This is where we chose to get on the trail. Technically, it's not open, shoulder work, signage and clean up still in need, but we take it.  It is a great gentle curving asphalt surface!  Two Bobcats were parked signaling that nobody was working on the trail this Saturday.  Be careful because there is a section near an access road that is not complete.  One needs to dismount and walk through the intersection unless they want to bury their tires in red sandy clayish soil like we did on the way to Pella.  Lesson learned.  Other bicycles and pedestrians were using this new section.  The new segment ends at the Robert's Creek Lake Trailhead.  Here we found construction people working on the parking area.  Time to ride the old segment.

One of the more helpful maps of any trail.

The original trail starts or ends at Robert's Creek Lake which is to the north.  To the south is Lake Red Rock itself.  Asphalt again with cracks every 20 feet or so as if they were placed there for summer/winter expansion/contraction.  Mileage markers begin at the trailhead with 9.5 miles.  The trail is winds into canopy and prairie and rolls over several bridges and appears next to an occasional road and residential area before disappearing into the park and rolls along playscapes and other park amenities.  It has many short climbs and descents.  It was on this summer weekend busy with other trail users.  Solo bikers, groups of 4 or 5 bikes, families on bikes and groups of pedestrians were encountered.  Many people camping here were enjoying the trail like we were.

With about 2 miles left on the Volksweg we encountered a TRAIL CLOSED sign.  This was on the eastern shore of the lake and the road that leads to the dam.  Studying the sign conveniently placed at the shelter and restrooms we were stopped at we saw the way out.  Go north on the road and take the first right.  Maybe a half mile to Idaho Drive.  Take Idaho Dr and intercept the trail leading into Pella.  Simple.  The trail appears at intersection of the Pella road and the Red Star gas station.  The only thing this detour prevented us from seeing was the spillway and tons of people.  The road was safe and lightly traveled. 

 

Smokey Row in Pella, IA

A tile wall outside of Smokey Row.  Pella was founded by immigrants from the Netherlands.

Obligatory photo of our coffee.  Really, just a coffeeneuring ride!

Once back on the trail we rode all the way into Pella only having to cross the road once at Central College when the people's path stopped and a new sidepath emerged. We took this for a while before opting to taking the street to move around a family on the trail.  Stayed on the street until we saw the town square where our destination awaited nearby.  Smokey Row Pella Edition.  Mary ordered an iced vanilla latte and I had 3 shots over ice with half and half.  Pella is a lovely town and we looked around a bit before heading back.

A lovely canal in Pella.  My filthy bike.

Mary's bike on the proper side of the canal bridge (sunlight).  We called this the "reflecting pool."  Spotted this on our way to the coffee shop and knew we had to visit.

A bicycle artwerk on the trail leading into Pella.

Reverse the course.  It was appearing to be a 55 mile day according to my computer.  It was also getting warm because the sun was out and the humidity was high from recent rains.  We were sweating but there would be opportunities to pull off and rest if necessary.  We only stopped at the restroom where the detour began and one other time.

Heading back to the new segment I was getting weary of the almost rhythmic thump thump of the cracks.  I was looking forward to the fresh asphalt.  Looking over to the right I saw fishing boats in Robert's Creek Lake and to my left I saw the spillway of that lake into Red Rock and the Des Moines River system which eventually connects to the Mississippi River and dumps into the Gulf of Mexico and evaporates into the air and floats back to Iowa in the form of rain.  Endless cycle.  I also saw the construction people working. One machine had a pair of umbrellas to keep the sun off its operator.  Time to veer left and go around the sign to reach the smooth trail.

The scene of the crime.  Two different trail surfaces meet at different levels.  "That last step is a Doozie!"  Our new friend, never caught his name, stopped and ensured that we were ok.  It must have looked bad.  Even the construction workers asked if we were OK.  I need to go back with a can of orange paint.

WHAM!!!!!

Wow!  I'm on the ground!  Look forward and then I look over my shoulder and a second impact as Mary is doing her best Superwoman impression flying over me still clipped in!  Stand up and look at her then my bike wondering what caused this.  A man with an electric assist fatbike asks me if I'm OK.  I tell him I'm alright, keeping the obvious fact that I hurt and stunned.  My left leg has road rash as my left arm.  The palm of my right had hurts.  Construction workers ask me if I am OK.  Yes.  I stand and stare assessing the situation.  Looking around I see the Ziploc baggie that holds Mary's phone and money and I pick it up.  She appears as stunned as I am.  No visible wound but she says her helmet hit the tarmac.  I hand it to her and walk back to my bike.

"Is your bike OK?" our new friend asks.  "Were you going fast?"  I don't think so.  Maybe 14 mph.  Needed to slow down for the curve and then even slower to get around a sign blocking the trail.  No I was thinking about these things and not going fast.  Mary said she thought we were doing 20 mph but that seems a bit high.  Must have hit at a bad angle that grabbed my wheel and threw me down.  I pick it up and spin both wheels.  No wobbles.  I do the same to Mary's bike.  Finally I turn around to look at the cause of my pain.  A significant drop in the trail surface is evident.  I reach for my phone to photograph it but first take a photo of my leg. "This has been getting worse during the past 4 years.  My pannier fell off here just now.  Send that photo to them.  They need to know.  They need to do something about it."  In my head "To whom it concern.  I am a veteran cyclist who just reached 3000 miles for the year and your trail nearly killed me and my wife."

Apparently the knee hit first.

"Make sure your bikes function.  I've a truck nearby."  I pick up my bike and look at the computer.  Exactly at mile 40.  15 more miles until we reach our CR-V in Pleasantville.  A little over an hour given our condition.  This could hurt but just keep moving because when we do stop the pain will increase as everything stiffens up for repair.  I throw the good leg over and not quite manage a proper seating position.  Chain suck!  Coast and get off but somehow I am in a much higher position than normal or my right leg lost a few inches and I have to wait until the bike stops rolling to reach the ground.  Never simple.  The bike needs to be turned upside-down to fix the chain because I am still in shock.  And then shift into granny while wheels up.  Damn triples!  I have to follow the cable from the derailleur to the shifter to figure out which shifter to activate.  Scratch the carbon.  Then the test ride.  Everything but the cyclist is working.  Mary has her bike running.  15 miles.  This may hurt.

I was happy to be on the new and smooth section.  My right hand was finding some difficulty in retaining a comfortable position.  Brakehoods were ok.  Riding in the drops did not bother the hand but not the most comfortable position when one is tired and injured.  A more relaxed position is what really bothered the hand as gripping the flat section of the bars was not good for the hand.  Noticed a purple bruise almost on the 6 o'clock position of the palm.  So I changed positions quite a bit.

Finally we reached the end of Cordova Park.  Checked with Mary to see if she needed to stop.  This would be our last opportunity for restrooms and water for the next 11 miles.  We were good.  Downhill to Highway 14.  Cross the long bridge then a right on G40.  The wind was a new factor as it was from the south.  Head or cross depending on what road we were on.  Just roll.  Wind hitting the leg did not feel gentle  Occasional sensation of some drop rolling down the leg.  Was it blood or sweat?  Keep riding.  I carry a handkerchief with me to blow my nose.  Allergies this year are bad.  Today it was used for wiping sweat off my face.  Stay as comfortable as possible.  All the photos of this highway were taken at this time mainly as an excuse to stop.  Hit the bottle and drink water.  I had cut it fine and had one swallow left when we reached the vehicle.   Casey's was on my mind.  I need two quarts of Gatorade for myself.  Just a little further...Finally we arrive in Pleasantville.  No time to stop at Smokey Row.  People would freak out to see my bloody mess if I walked in.  Pandemic.  No needed to walk in looking like a zombie attack occurred.  "3 shots of espresso over ice and fill the rest with half and half.  It's been a beastly day!"

History lesson here.  Iowa was granted statehood in 1846. 

  

Those clouds and a questionable history.

Another sign we saw on the way out but did not photograph until our return.  Just 2 or so miles out of Pleasantville.

Load up and hit that convenience store.  Both quarts were gone by the time we reached home.  Mary only had one as she is not a glutton.  Hose off the bikes and let Mary hit the shower first.  Make that tequila drink and relax.  Order a pizza and shower while Mary picks it up.  Look for Neosporin.  We have none.  Suggested that I use hydrocortisone.  Well, not a bug bite or genital rash but maybe it will calm the pain.  It burns.  Early dinner and early to bed.  I had a feeling I would still be hurting in the morning.  55 miles.  The first 39.99 enjoyable.