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| A roundel from a PYB Catalina destroyed at Pearl Harbor. By The Battle of Midway, June 1942, the red dot was removed from US aircraft. Image taken from John Ford's trip to Pearl in March of 1942. |
This year's 40oz on the 4th was a multi-surface ride to Bondurant and back. Four riders participated and 4 40 ounce beers were consumed after the ride.
I like to ride a bicycle that was built in the U S of A for this ride. Gets harder and harder and more expensive to do this every year. Mary and elected to ride our fast (road) tandem for the ride. Made in America (not anymore, sadly), it was specially made for us because none were available in our size, small/small. This bike, after years of constant use, several Ragbrais and a trip across South Dakota in 2013 it has become the bicycle equivalent of what aviation enthusiasts term "hangar queen." We are known as the "tandem couple" on RASDAK and are considered the first married couple to has crossed that state on tandem without getting a divorce. May be next year we will take her out for RASDAK again. It does not get out much. One 17 mile ride in 2024 and this ride became its first outing in 2025. The 2001 Cannondale RT3000 is a great tandem. Sans pedals and cages it weighs a mere 36 lbs. The frame has the ability to take both front and rear racks and wider tires. Perhaps the fleet of new bikes with newer technology became the focus. Takes a lot of focus, energy and faith to ride a tandem. The captain needs a lot more upper body strength to pilot such beasts. The stoker aka Rear Admiral, needs faith in the captain. And the need to communicate every move; coast, shifting, stopping etc.
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| In her current glory at Mullets. Every time I ride this bike, usually once a year, I am reminded of all the changes I need to make. First and easiest, re-wrap the handlebars. I purchased two sets of orange wrap two or three years ago for this. Second, I need a more comfortable saddle. Mine hurts. Mary's saddle was replaced years ago along with the broken shock seat post. Third, new cages, the current ones are blah. Forth, upgrade the pedals. Hopefully, I can find a set of iSSi pedals in orange. And finally, just realized this during the ride, a shorter stem and flatter handlebars. The reach is too long for my T-Rex arms and I prefer the brake hoods to be even with the bars and not 1/3 the way down the drops. Of course, since this bike is ridden only a few times a year, the likelihood that these changes will be done is remote. |
So, the annual tandem preparation was conducted early Friday morning. Pump the tires, installation of a new Cateye Velo 7 computer since the original computer had died after 24 years and cleaning the dust off the bike. Our touring tandem gets the same treatment for its annual ride.
We met at Mullets a little before 8 am. I like to start the ride at that time because the heat of the day has yet to arrive. Early July in Iowa can be brutal. I like to think of this event as part of Independence Day, not the sole purpose of the 4th. Crank out 40 miles, drink a beer and get on with your 4th of July festivities. The timing of the ride is probably what keeps the numbers low. Most of my friends go out on the night before and get drunk and the early wake up call is ignored. May be others are afraid to drink a 40oz. It is not mandatory. Drink whatever you want at the end of the ride. Perhaps the fact that we do not stop for bike beers is a deterrent. We make one stop for Gatorade at a convenience store midway through the ride. 20 miles out, 20 miles back. Even darker still, perhaps people are afraid to ride on anything but trails. We take safe roads when trails are not available. I cannot chain myself to trails only. Or people dislike my company. Who knows. Other than my beautiful wife, two others showed up this year, Chris and Jack. The previous edition, 2023, only my priest joined Mary and I.
This year it was a multi-surface ride. City streets throughout. A sidepath along MLK Ave, paved trails, county roads and gravel/dirt. Yes, the turn to 88th was a "closed road" with the asphalt surface removed. It was rideable, Chris and Jack with wide gravel capable tires and the tandem with a set of 30s. Just a short stretch and not a single construction worker onsite as it is a paid holiday. This is an important stretch to the Chichaqua trailhead.
From Mullets we headed to the MLK sidepath and took that to E 25th and turned north as that road turns into Scott Ave. Scott Ave led us to the Gay Lea Wilson Trailhead in Pleasant Hill. Trail action all the way through Altoona. Do not turn left at Copper Creek because not only that way longer but the trail is closed at I-80. Ride the trail all the way through Altoona, be sure to turn left after the dog park and take the bridge over 8th St SW and it is called the Vern Willey II Trail which eventually connects with a newer trail (not shown on Google Maps) takes riders to NE 80th St, a low traffic road that crosses I-80 and enters Bondurant. Now, one could take a right at 15th St SE and find the tunnel under Highway 330 to the new Casey's but I prefer to continue north and make the curve east and then a left turn on NE88th and stop at the original western trailhead of the Chichaqua Trail before turning west and following the new section of said trail into Bondurant proper. Stop at the old Casey's for Gatorade and then residential street riding to the new Casey's and the tunnel to get to 15th St SE and a left back to the county road that we took leaving Altoona. Easier than what is written and you may see other cyclists on this road. Return to Mullets the same route we took albeit backwards.
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| Spilled grain from a railroad car derailment in Des Moines as seen from the MLK sidepath. |
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| Chris and I participate in Facebook's Bicycle Ride and Seek Challenge. Participants are given a monthly list of 12 items that must be photographed with their bicycle in the shot. Here is Chris taking a photo of his bike at an elevator. |
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| Across the street from Bondurant's old Casey's general Store is a defunct grain elevator being redeveloped into entertainment area. Of note is a distillery. |
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| Chris and Jack and Mary's legs. |
Beer consumed, we parted ways, changed horses and rode to Fuzzy Tacos for lunch and margaritas. One year I'd like to grill brats and dogs and burgers if the participation warrants.
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| Nothing more American than eating Baja-style Mexican food and drinking a margarita! |
Happy birthday 'Merica!!! Looking forward to your 250th birthday next year!!!
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| A still from John Ford's March 1942 filming of the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack. This flag was on the USS Nevada. |
