Marshmallow XXXV

East of Baxter

We stuck our toes into the world of bicycling in the late 1980s and bicycling's steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon claws sunk deeply within us and pulled us deep inside.  It became a lifestyle that we have no regrets in adopting.  The mountain bike explosion was the Sirens call.  Not long after that we acquired road bikes to increase our speed and exploration.

Back in the day, one had to belong to a cycle club or visit a bicycle shop to grab a pamphlet find out what group rides were coming up if they wanted to ride with likeminded people on road bikes without the need to schelp all their gear on a touring bike.  Clubs provided regular rides during the week and longer rides on the weekends.  They were a great way to learn routes and destinations.  Just a fast bike, a water bottle or two, PowerBars and tire repair.  For the longer weekend rides, SAG always was provided for rest stops and other needs. The internet was still for scientists and military only.  Windows 98 was a mere dream.  But there were many rides during the season in Iowa.  Central Iowa Cyclists sponsored the Newton Amana Ride which was a 2 day event of 60 miles each day and an overnight in Middle Amana and the greatest breakfast spread I have ever seen at The Barn.  Des Moines Cycle Club had several including Outback (SE Polk to William Penn and other years an overnighter to Graceland College) and a few one day events such as BRAWCO (Bike Ride Around Warren County) and the legendary Tailwind Century (meet somewhere in Des Moines and load up to be dropped 100 miles away from the end and enjoy that tailwind push).

The expansion of trails, the resurgence of mountain bikes in the form of fatbikes and gravel bikes and perhaps the occurrence of car/bicycle collisions and deaths has reduced these great bicycle trips and clubs.  Despite the huge increase in the numbers of people riding bikes, clubs have withered away and with them the significant one day or two day weekend rides.  Trails are almost everywhere these days.  The desire for bar-to-bar rides has replaced the 60 miler out and back.  Corporate rides on trails are not my cup of tea, either.  And the advent of gravel racing/endure rides became another nail in the coffin.  

Tom.  First met him way back in the early 1990s on rides like this and we would see him on Ragbrai.  I was pleasantly surprised to see him today.

In 1986 the Iowa Valley Bicycle Club introduced the Marshmallow Ride.  Marshalltown was the starting and ending point of this ride.  Mary and I did a few of these, the last being in 2008 when we took our children.  The ride has always offered a variety of distances for people of all abilities.  This year we took the Century option.  Had I known that the 50 mile route was a ride to the Haverhill Social Club I may have taken that one.  Just kidding, we needed to do a big ride.

This year's ride was an effort to raise money for the connection of Marshalltown to Albion on the River's Edge Trail which will eventually connect to Steamboat Rock, Iowa.  34 miles of a rail corridor to be used as a recreational trail along the Iowa River.  From Albion the towns of Liscomb, Union, Gifford and Eldora will be on the route connecting to the existing Pine Lake State Park Trail that leads into Steamboat Rock.

2022 has been a poor year for riding for us.  Cold, wet and excessively windy.  Other commitments and the trip to Minneapolis on the first good weekend.  Our miles have suffered accordingly.  This would not matter but we are preparing to ride across South Dakota (RASDak) the first full week of June.  Time for training is running out.  So when I saw this ride listed on BikeIowa.com I was excited.  Excellent opportunity.  If I threw down money for the cause I would be less likely to back down.  And if I felt apprehensive about a century ride when I have not ridden over 40 miles in one day I could always do a lesser distance.  And of course, I had my doubts but ultimately made the choice because it was all on familiar turf and had a few hills and had 78 miles of trail riding.

Group photo of those that did not participate in the century.  The 100 mile riders left an hour earlier.

The ride began at the Marshalltown Community Y and Cultural Center.  Our route was a familiar one although we usually start at the other end when not on this ride.  Get on the trail at the YMCA/YWCA and head west to Bondurant.  All trail except the 11 mile stretch of county road S62 from Melbourne, Iowa, to Baxter, IA.  Then the 24 miles of the Chichaqua Valley Trail to Bondurant.  Turn around and ride back.

The Century Riders missing 2 riders.  Mary and I are the first two cyclists next to Dana, our support driver, on the left.  Photo credit Tom K.  Photo lifted from Facebook.

The 11 of us that chose the 100 miler met at 7 am before the riders of the shorter routes gathered.  Registration inside and I purchased an IVBC jersey to help support the club.  Fees were a goodwill donation and the century riders were given a crisp $10 bill for lunch since we would not be back in time for lunch.  We threw those bills into the bucket.  Proceeds from the ride were slated for Trails, Inc to support "River's Edge Trail" development to Albion, Iowa.  Photoshoot of the riders and a meeting with Dana, our SAG driver.  We appreciated this service.  Dana informed us of the quirks of the route and told us where he would be.

The map they provided now wrinkled from being shoved into a jersey pocket.  Of note is the QCR code that opens up the map on your phone for finer detail.  Yes, it says 96 miles but we padded an extra mile or two west of Bondurant before turning back.

Into the wind!  The first section of trail follows Linn Creek and winds through their sports complex of softball, baseball and football fields before entering a lovely canopy of trees in a park that empties out to Grimes Farms and Conservation Center.  Head south from there and roll onto the 330 Trail with its rolling hills and gravel intersections.  Soon, after 15 miles of riding we were in the town of Melbourne.  Dana greeted us at the intersection of Hart Ave/S62 and the 330 Trail.  He informed us that the rest stop was at the park. Here there were coolers marked "craft beer" or "Bud Light" but were instead full of Gatorade and bottled water.  This began our Gatorade Diet.  Refresh and rehydrate.  Bikey snacks, Cliff Bars ect were available, too.

Club Domane

It was not until I purchased mine in September of 2020 that I noticed the popularity of Trek's Domane series of endurance road bike.  Designed to take on the Specialized Roubaix on the cobblestones of France a Domane is available for almost every budget.  This year Elisa Longo Borghini, winner of the 2022 Paris-Roubaix Femmes, rode the racing version of the Domane.  It should be noted that Lizzie Deignan won last year, the first PRF, with a Domane.

I almost purchased this Trek Domane SL5 but they did not have it in my size.  This one has upgraded wheels, rotors and handlebars.  Owner claims a weight loss of 4 lbs.  Mary's bike in background.

My Trek Domane SL5

A Trio of Trek Domanes.  Two others are missing.

Now that the distraction of bikes is over we  shall return to the ride at hand as it was time for the highway portion of the ride.  Hart  Ave/S62 is an 11 mile stretch of road from Melbourne to Baxter.  There are three hills on this highway.  The rest are rollers or speed wobbles depending on your condition.  We have ridden this road several times on road bikes and loaded touring bikes.  Traffic is light.  This time I noticed two features of this county highway.  The Marshall County (north) section has a rideable shoulder and the rolling hills.  Jasper County (south) has no shoulder and steeper hills.  The first big hill is noted by a Meckley's Parts & Service (junkyard).  Because of the headwind I was unable to take advantage of the downhill and started climbing in the smaller ring.  I never ran out of gears in back.  After the last of the three hills Dana's white truck was at the intersection of N 95th Ave.  The homestead on this corner is protected by a Great Pyrenees and a St Bernard.  The Pyr barked a few times then laid back down while the St Bernard stood there and barked until the "intruders" were gone.  This road becomes Station St which takes one past the school and to downtown near the trailhead and grocery store.  Dana then relocated to the caboose at the Chichaqua Trail trailhead.  Another Gatorade and a water.  By this time it was apparent that my water bottle would be used solely for eliminating cotton mouth.

Another 22.3 miles to the trailhead in Bondurant.  This would be our first time of riding east of Mingo this year.  Sadly, I have to note that the trail surface between Baxter and Ira is very uneven in places.  Dangerous to ride side by side or have oncoming trail users.  A few miles after Ira the surface is rough and part of it is gravel.  Seems like it is always bad in the same place despite maintenance and repairs to the trail surface.

It is with great sadness to report that the enchanted grotto has been destroyed.  Part of the structure can be seen in the pile of trees in this picture.  Located on the Chichaqua Trail overlooking Santiago Creek this hidden gem, although private property, offered a quiet place to relax while on the trail with a view of a small waterfall.  In August 2008 not far downstream from this location the stream took out part of the trail leaving a craterlike bite out of the creekbank and trail.  I hope efforts are in place to strengthen the bank after removal of many trees and a new overlook is built.

One stop in Mingo where Dana and his precious Gatorade were waiting at the shelter.  Please note that the bottle filler is not dispensing water.  It makes a noise and the counter marker clicks off another bottle but no water for us.  The orange yard hydrant works and is cold.  Bondurant was the turn around point and the lunch destination, hence the crisp $10 from earlier.  We opted to ride about a mile or so further toward Berwick into the heart of the wind to guarantee 100 miles and stopped at the old Casey's for lunch.  I was not in the mood for a big lunch or waiting for a big lunch.  In fact, I was a bit worried that I had bitten off more than I could chew for this ride.  Doubts even here.  A slice of pizza and a Gatorade.  Dana was looking forward to a meal at Founder's Pub so we stopped there to let him know our intentions to move on.  He wasn't there yet but I hope he had a nice meal.  I texted him instead.  His phone number was on the map.

I believe Team Checker in their ISU uniforms had a significant group in Founder's Pub.  None of the bikes between the patio and the coffee shop appeared to be locked up.  This made me feel a bit better because I had a lock but left the key at home thus my Camelbak was useless dead weight.  Of course, this fact was revealed to me when I felt for the keys 5 miles into the ride.  One more note, the kybo at the original trailhead on 88th is still missing.  The restrooms and bottle filling station at the new trailhead in Bondurant are open and working.

That tailwind push!  Our luck held out and the ride back was bless by the wind.  Very important and greatly appreciated since we were now riding in new mileage numbers for the year.  Just a quick stop in Mingo for water.  My bottle was finally dead.  At Baxter we stopped at the grocery store only to discover that they were out of regular Gatorade.  But they had two flavors of Gatorlyte, the rapid electrolyte replenishing drink from the scientists at Gatorade.  Square sided bottle but we would not need to carry it in our water bottle cages.  Tasted like the regular and went down fast.  We did not puke or mess our drawers so it was safe.  11 miles later we would be in Melbourne and would have a chance to hit their convenience store if necessary.

S62/Hart Ave was much better heading north since the wind was a West South West wind. We flew and by the time we reached Marshall County I could keep the bike in big ring on the hills.  There was a white pickup truck waiting for us to let us know that the rest stop in the park was open.  No need to stop at the gas station.  Thank you, Dana.  This would be the final grouping.  We started with 11 riders.  4 disappeared and rode to parked vehicles somewhere I assume in Bondurant.  The 3 people of the Pella Contingent turned around in Mingo.  4 of us made it to Melbourne on the return.  Another Gatorade and water and topped my water bottle off.  I was feeling good.  Usually on century rides I get a second wind around 70 miles and by about 80 miles I'm 100%.  We were at 85 and I felt strong.  The tailwind helped, of course, but maybe what I had been guzzling at every stop.  Along the way I had a Cliff Bar and a Larabar and a few energy gel candies that Mary was experimenting with.  The original PowerBars, could we bring them back?  Melts in your mouth, not in the wrapper when carried in a jersey pocket.  This was the lightest I ever eaten on such a long ride.  But a Gatorade at every stop but one (Mingo return trip).  Yeah, that stuff is bad for you but it gets me through.

Racing the black cloud

The sky to the west was dark.  We could see that rain was falling off in the distance.  The temperature was dropping and the wind picked up.  We had to fly.  Tailwind and trail, just take it easy on the intersections.  Be thankful for disc brakes.  We flew.  The intersection at Jessup Ave was always the worst for me on both trips.  The first time my bad line was leading me to the side of the bridge.  A little better on the return but not my best crossing.  I really kicked in the jets after the trail switched sides of the highway.  Curving around a corner startled blackbirds jumped up and crashed into a chain-link fence.  Sorry, not sorry.  The view from my mirror showed the storm clouds getting closer.  Just before Grimes Farm I turned my rear flasher and headlight on not that it was needed to see but to be seen as the trail heading into Marshalltown could be occupied.  And yes it was.  A few families walking on the trail plus a few solitary walkers.  Don't these people know it is going to rain??  Glancing at the cornfield to my left it appeared to be raining or a mini haboob which we never determine because two Pacific Union diesel locomotives pulling tank cars and hoppers obscured our view.  The closer we got to the end the more people we saw.  Several people at the skate park, a group of kids on bicycles and more pedestrians.  Good to see the trail being used by the community.

At last we reached the Y.  One of the members on the IVBC was waiting for us to make sure we were safe.  According to him, my mind is terrible with names, I can very detailed descriptions of events but names I struggle with unless I hear them called that 5 times, there was an orange section off rain on radar heading north.  Two more riders behind us soon joined thus all riders were accounted for and safe.

We were very happy we did this ride.  Had an excellent time and made new friends.  Most importantly, we proved to ourselves that we not only could survive a century ride but also thrive.  Maybe South Dakota won't hurt as much as we fear.