40 Fat Miles on the First

The Dolomite and the Lorax.  Found him across from the Bentron Bank Skating Plaza.

"Did you ride your fat tire bike today?" one of the big executives in IT asked me today.  I smiled.  "No, rode that one yesterday."  What I did not tell him  was where and hope epic that ride ride was.

July 1, 2014.  First 12.5 miles were spent on the Mongoose Dolomite.  I thought I might need gears.  Recent rain has flooded out most of the trails in the Des Moines metro area.  I ride west to work and had been watching those trails.  I thought I would check out the trails to the north.  The Neal Smith Trail was my target.

To get there I eyed the Principal Riverwalk Trail.  Built on the bank of the Des Moines River it was basically totally covered by the river.  I did not attempt this one.

As for the Neal Smith Trail, the only flooded section I saw was at Birdland Park, the low spot of the river.  The road above was closed due to flooding but that water receded giving me a nice wide path for the Dolomite.

After passing North High School I rode along the new levy and it was fine.  When the NST turning into the wooded area I could tell the water had just retreat maybe a few hours earlier.  I saw Old Man River, George, riding his bike and figured if River could do it so could I.  So I followed the trail to Mt Radon before turning around.  No more "Trail Closed" signs.  But a lot can happen in a matter of hours.

My mission was accomplished here.  One can get to the InterUrban Trail without difficulty assuming the water does not rises.

The other 27 miles were completed on the Beast, my single speed coaster brake fat bike.  I was to meet Colin of the Water Works Park bridge and we would ride to Cumming, Iowa, to watch the World Cup, US v Belgium.  "Bring beer" the text read.  I purchased a 12 pack and ice and rolled to water Works about a half hour late.

Father's Day 2013.  SE 30th and George Flagg.  Once again the same old story.  I was too busy keeping the bike upright to take photos of the current flood.

"Detour to Orlando's via Park Ave" the next message read.  This meant that George Flagg Dr was flooded.  It was flooded the other day but the water receded.  I chanced it.  After all, The Beast can handle a little water.

At first it was ok.  No current, no trees floating.  I could see the street markings below the water.  then it rose and my feet started getting wet..  The Beast was handling this pretty good.  Forward progress.  Deeper still, sandals submerging on the bottom of every pedal stroke.  Soon the water was up to the BB.  Aim between the telephone poles.  Yet it got worse and I turned off as my shins were now dipping below the surface.  A small barricade holding a sign that said "water over road" with a yellow flasher on top was visible.  It was on the low spot.  Not that I could read the sign since the top of the sign was was protruding a mere 6" from the water.  That was the low point in the road.  If I continued I would be up to my tits in water.  Time find a new route.

Grass was abundantly visible to my left.  Perhaps if I could make it there I stood a chance of getting to Orlando's without turning around.  Maybe I could get into tree line and ride the old abandoned rail tracks.  Seemed like a good idea.

I did not factor in the ditch and soon it was deep.  I had to get off the bike and when I did the rear wheel floated up.  I did not want the beer to get contaminated from flood water so I held the front end up and walked to the grass.

The grass was not dry.  Perhaps 2 to 3" of water.  But it was better than the street.  At least I could see the the bottom.  In deep water I could never see what was below the surface.  I decided to retreat and get back to SE 30th and take that to Park Ave and meet Colin at Orlando's.  The bike rode well on this new but wet surface.  Tire pressure was a shade over 20 psi for paved roads but it helped the bike float when i got off before the grass.

The "man"  was out in force as I neared dry land.  Two city vehicles were at the blockade.  A large truck drove past me when I reached 30th and the fire chief drove by.  No one questioned me.

Colin's bruce Gordon BLT touring bicycle and my Mongoose Beast oversized all terrain bike complete with handle bar mounted cooler.  When the flood water threatened to reach the beer it was time to pull the plug!

The ride from Orlando's to the Cumming Tap was nice and uneventful.  We stopped for a beer before the Safety Shack because I needed a beer.  And we stopped at the shack for another.  Being early on Taco Night we were able to get center seats at the bar and watched the heartbreaking soccer game.  Finally time for a pair of tacos before leaving for home.

I was dry now thanks to my prohibition of cotton on bike rides.  Good thing to as the cold front hit with high wind and a temperature plunge.  We stopped at the lean to on the way home and talked to other riders.  Taco Nights have drawn quite a large crowd this summer but tonight was different. Flooding prevented a lot of people from riding.  It is impossible to get to the Great Western Trail via trails because of this.  Flooded trails and rumors of flooded trails probably lowered the numbers as well.  I did not see anything out of hand.  Bikers were well behaved and picked up after themselves.

So taking the Beast to Cumming was epic.  Did I almost die?  Could have.  Did I get arrested?  Could have.  Did I ride a single speed bike that weighs over 40lb with a 12 pack of Busch Light and 4.25" tires set at 20 psi?  Yes I did.  My legs are telling me today that pedaling through the deep water was a work out.  Hell, riding that bike over 2 miles is a work out!

Hello Summer, Hello Old Friends

I get these moments in life when I get bombarded with reunions with old friends of mine.  Out of the blue they start calling or contacting at once I almost think it is a sign to get together because I will be leaving this life soon.  Maybe it is a seasonal thing so I am blogging this for future study.  Maybe because Ragbrai is in the air.

Started with a text form a long lost biking friend whom I think never joined the internet world.  He asked if I was doing the big ride, Ragbrai,  Then a phone call from an out of state friend about a late summer ride.  Finally Anders contacted me about riding on Saturday.

Anders and myself do not get out and ride very much anymore.  Both of us are working family men and syncing our worlds together is difficult.  When we used to ride all the time we were toxic to each other so I appreciate the fact that we can now ride together a prove that this toxicity is over.  We have gone up, grown immune.  Sure it was late last night but we disproved our critics.

And what reunion would be complete without getting a certain bicycle running for such occasion?  I beloved Trek 2200 became road worthy when I used this ride as an excuse to fix the flat tire it suffered during 2013's commuter season back in October of 2013.  I tried to fix it back then but could not get the tire back on.  I blamed the cold weather.  Wait until summer to finish fixing the flat.  This bike has had hundreds, maybe thousands of miles riding with Anders.  It is a shame that some thief stole his Cannondale, the bike he shared 99% of those miles with.

The plan was to ride at night to House of Bricks to see Jason Boten's band, Nest of Snakes.  Another friend I have not seen in quite some time.  But we ended up exploring the trail system.  Anders lives west of downtown and does not get many opportunities to frequent the trail system east.  We met on the Bill Riley Trail and hung a left at the bridge and rode past Mullets and onto the Des Moines River Trail.  New to him and possessing some scenic vistas of the DSM skyline.

Returning to Mullets we headed up the Principal Riverwalk and crossed the Women of Achieve bridge and stopped at the Bob Ray Japanese structure.  After that it was time to hit the East Village.  We grabbed a set of Tacos from Tacopocalypse and then chatted with Bob Moural, Brad and Cali, Laura and Will in front of the Locust Tap and then on the red bridge.

Finally we worked ourselves home parting ways in Water Works on the bridge.  Hopefully another ride soon.  It's perfect at night in the summer.  Warm but not oppressive like during the day.  Less crowded too.

Today I get to visit another friend for his birthday.  Just making the rounds!

Chasing Rainy

The last weekend before RASDAK and we decide to take it easy.  No long rides, no hills to slay.  A mere ride to a friend's house to pick up some tires and another ride to another friend's house to attend a BBQ and beer tasting.  Relaxing.  Fun.  Can only sharpen a pencil so far until it is totally useless.  Probably should eat some carbs.  If only the weather would cooperate.

I told Donnie I'd be at his place about 10 am.  That would give me time for a haircut and the 14 miles to ride to his place south of Cumming.  Donnie said he and Joe were riding to the Trestle.  The text at 7 am confirmed this.  The tires would be left outside his Morton building.  We opted to sleep.  We left after 11 am.  Took the Fisher Gemini tandem because it has racks and could carry the tires.  Our commuters needed chain maintenance.  Mary was my stoker.

Head wind all the way down.  It went from sunny, hot and humid to cloudy and cool.  Looked like rain.  When we got to Donnie's the sprinkles hit then disappeared.  No rain from there to the Cumming Tap.  We stopped and enjoyed burgers from Charbuff Grill and Mountain Dew from the Tap.  Linda said the radar showed "speckled" rain cells.  No big storm just many tiny ones.  The trail was wet when he headed north but we were dry, always a few minutes behind the storm.

Colin was heading our direction at about the 2.5 mile mark.  We stopped and chatted and he shared some New Belgian with us.  Good to have friends.  Been a few weeks since we had seen him  I think he is losing weight with all the biking he has been doing this year.  We parted ways and chased the rain again.

Not more than a mile after parting ways with Colin, we came across Joe and Donnie making their way back from the High Trestle.  Just a brief chat as Joe needed to get home to celebrate his anniversary with his wife.  The four of us plus a few others will be riding across South Dakota in the following week.

By the time we hit Water Works Park the water was off and the sun was out.  Humidity and intense sunlight.  We stopped at the bridge and talked to friendlies.  Walter gave me a beer and Brad gave mary a mango flavored jello shot.  Tasha wanted to go to Beaverdale for something different but Ingersoll would be their next stop.  I don't think they got much further.  Another 3,5 miles and we were home.  Drop the tires off and took  showers.  Had to clean up for Jerry's BBQ in West Des Moines.

The Sun was out but another cell moved in.  Upon returning to Water Works we stopped under a tree and watched the rain fall in the sunlight.  When it stopped we chased the rain all the way to West Des Moines.  Literally a minute behind it at all times.

One of Jerry's homebrews.

Jerry lives near the WDM/Waukee border.  It's a bit confusing.  Here one municipality numbers their streets the same as Des Moines and Urbandale and Clive.  WDM has their own system.  We took the Greenbelt to Country Club and then headed south to University.  Looked good on the map.  But in reality it is a busy road on a Saturday evening.  Had to stop once to consult Google Maps.  The Waukee sign added doubts to my navigation.  But we were on the right course.  One side of the road was labeled in Waukee, the left side WDM.  Numbers increasing when we were looking for decreasing.  Eventually we found the turn and a familiar landmark, the Casey's.

Jerry had a nice spread of food and beverages.  I had a few glasses of his homebrew.  One was a creamy ale, the other named "Spotted Cow" a lager IIRC.  Both were delicious.  An long time school buddy from Ottumwa, John, was there with his wife.  They do not get out very often due of a child with medical issues so it was a pleasure to see them again.  We ate, drank and watched the clouds and radar and stayed until dark and left sober and headed to the Raccoon River Valley Trail which is the way we should have gone.  Set the lights to "epilepsy" flash mode and safely reached the trail.

I ride the Clive Greenbelt almost every day.  Rarely at night and rarely after rain.  Even more rare, on tandem at dark on a wet surface.  These conditions made the ride interesting.  More bike to push through the curves hoping the tires would not hydroplane or hit slick mud.  Also hoped not to hit and bikes, pedestrians or deer.  Success.  After reaching the end of that trail we took the walnut Creek trail to Grand ave and detoured to Abelardo's for cheap Mexican food.  I had the #18 which really is too much food.

Back on the trail was almost incident free until we encountered another bike.  We saw the light making its way through the curves and he had to have seen ours.  What we did not see until the last second was the bike without lights behind him.  Kind of a shock,  Expect one bike, get blinded temporarily and then see a face in fear as we illuminated the hidden bike.  Close encounter.  It was almost midnight.  Eventually we got home.  A 62.8 mile day.

Sunday evening we rode to Johnston to have dinner with my mother.  Once there I checked the radar.  Storms heading our way.  we left her place about 730 pm and rode very quickly into a head wind as the sky to the west was black.  It would be close.  We could feel the wind pick up and the temperature drop.  Going to be close or wet.  The sky to the southeast was better and the direction we were going.  Little time to mess around.

Returning Dora's phone call.  Dora likes to call us whenever we ride.

We did stop on the Women of Achievement bridge for photos.  I thought of the irony of us chasing the rain on Saturday only to have it chase us the next day.  More like send us on full retreat.  11.5 miles in record time into the wind.  The sprinkles began on the last mile.  But they were a tease.  The last half mile was on the street and a quick glance at my computer made me smile.  I was hauling ass!  If I could keep this speed up all the time, I thought, if I could.  Damn, I'd be able to complete RAID (Ride Across Iowa in a Day).  RASDAK ready I said to myself.

It never rained.  We literally jumped off the bikes and cyclocross them inside the house.  But the sky cleared up.  Yeah, I bet the clouds were laughing having chased us home.  Turn about is fair play.

Brewvet Challenge 2014

Discovered this great adventure via a Face Book friend's blog, Randy & Nova's Bicycle Scrapbook.  I like to ride bicycles and I also like to enjoy a cold one every now and then.  So in typical Chevian fashion I rushed right in, followed the rules and completed the assignment on time.

THE RULES

8 RIDES

1 BEER PER RIDE

AT LEAST 40 MILES RIDDEN TOTAL FOR ALL 8 RIDES

PREFERENCE ON CRAFT BEER

FILL OUT RIDE CARD

PHOTOGRAPH THE BEER AND HASHTAG IT #BREWVET

Easy enough.  I could knock this out in one day if the rules allowed.  Mileage not an issue for me.  I am fond of craft beer.  

Ride No. 1
Date--May 17, 2014 7am
Location--Mullets Des Moines, Iowa
Beer--Buffalo Sweat Oatmeal Cream Stout, Tallgrass Brewing Co
Thoughts--Fitting that this location would kick off my participation in the #Brewvet Challenge.  Mullets is a bicycle friendly establishment situated on the crossroads of downtown Des Moines, Iowa, and the Central Iowa Trail system.  But you do not need to ride a bicycle to enjoy this place.  It offers great food, a super staff and many events in their backyard such as live music and cyclocross racing.  We stopped in for breakfast at 7 am.  Mullet's just doubled their tap count from 8 to 16.  This was my first time with the the 16.  Usually go for Bell's 2 Heart but since it was breakfast and mile 3 on a 50 miler I decided to go with the BS.  This is the third time I have had this beer, second time as a draft.  The cans gave me a hang over after a previous experience of 3 cans.  True to its name this stout is creamy and smooth.  Delish and I would purchase it again.  Also had a Diet Coke and the breakfast burrito which I could not finish.
Miles--49

Ride No. 2
Date--May 18, 2014 930 pm
Location--Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company
Beer--Pointer Brown Ale
Thoughts--After a long day we stopped at CABCo for their 55 cent buffalo wings and a cold one.  They brew their own beer.  Mary and I have been members of the "Mug Club" for a number of years so we were able to enjoy our brew in  nice large mugs.  I asked for a sampler to show the color of the ale for the photo.  Tasty without the bitter nutty taste of Newcastle.
Miles--23

Ride No. 3
Date--May 19, 2014
Location--Hy Vee grocery store, Johnston, Iowa, drinking local at home 11 miles after purchase
Beer--Shiner White Wing Belgian White
Thoughts--I love a good Belgian and this one caught my eye immediately as I perused the single bottle section of the cooler.  $1.59+tax and deposit.  Over the holidays I enjoyed Shiner's Holiday Cheer so I was not afraid to give this one a go.  Since it was humid and above 70F I placed the bottle between to packages of split chicken breasts and placed a package of Italian sausage on top for good measure before riding home.  Twist top so I wasted time digging out my key ring from my fanny pack.  Wonderful fruity taste of the esters.  Smooth and refreshing.  I wish more brewers would control their hop infatuation and look to that little country nestled north of France and west of Germany.  I recommend this beer.
Miles--25

Ride No. 4
Date--May 20, 2014 10 pm
Location--The LiFT, Des Moines, Iowa
Beer--PB&J (PBR + shot of Jameson)
Thoughts--Every now and then one must return to a real American beer.  Hipster or not, something cool and refreshing after a long day.  Now The LiFT is not a typical PBR bar.  Des Moines original smoke free bar and place where artists hang their paintings for sale.  Hence the background in the photo.  Also a martini bar but I only order beer and perhaps a shot of Fireball when I visit.  They have 11 beers on tap and not a single tap has Budweiser, Miller, Coors or whatever crappy American lager.  Every tap pours either local craft beer (Confluence, Peace Tree, Exile and Madhouse for local brews) or a quality import (Guiness, Peroni, Smithwicks ect).  On Thursdays they sell pints for $3.  Used to be $2.  Noticed they are selling craft beer bottles at $2.  This can be the most dangerous bar in town.  I only enter with no more than $20 and no plastic.  So today during my 5 hours of overtime I read on FaceBook that The Lift is running a $5 PB&J special--Pabst Blue Ribbon tallboy and shot of Jameson.  I met my wife 11 miles north of here and we rode down for 1 round.  Life is good.
Miles--23

Ride No. 5
Date--May, 21, 2014 430 pm
Location--Confluence Brewing Co, Des Moines, Iowa
Beer--ChewBocka, Confluence Brewing Co
Thoughts--Had a hard time choosing a beer on this ride.  Gave the Southside Citra Blonde a spin before settling on this malty dopplebock.  The fact that I paid $10 for the mug that I could keep was a good selling point.  We have 5 now.  Tasty, refreshing, delicious and a wonderful change of pace from hoppy beer.  Confluence has been open for a year and a half now and never ceases to amaze me with their quality and variety.  Located approximately 2 miles from my home and right off the bike trail is wonderful or dangerous.  I stopped here on my way home from work.
Miles--15

Ride No. 6
Date--May 23, 2014 4 pm
Location--University Tap, Clive Iowa
Beer--Dirty Bastard, Founders Brewing Co
Thoughts--Met my buddy Craig on the bike trail.  We have shared a beer or two in the past.  Been almost 2 full weeks without seeing each other.  Been a crappy week at work and a long week taking care of my mother.  Now it's Friday and time to relax.  University Tap is located off of the bike trail although one needs to get off the trail and pedal half a block on the street to get to the front door.  A small but nice selection of craft beer on tap.  Wearing my sunglasses I can only read "Founders" on the tap and order it anyway instead of quizzing the barkeep.  Craig has a PBR tallboy.  Another malty treasure!  Will order this again.  I sipped mine as I needed to pace myself.  Craig lapped me and we left after his second.
Miles--15

Ride No. 7
Date--May 24, 2014 11am
Location--Imes Bridge, St Charles, Iowa
Beer--Blue Moon
Thoughts--When I thought of this location I planned to consume a Busch Light in honor of my bicycle friends who generally carry Busch Light on their bikes.  Just outside of town we saw a sign for the Madison County Winery and Twisted Brewery 4 miles.  We continued but arrived 1/2 before they opened so we turned back after doing a shot of Fireball.  Since we rode bikes that lack the ability to carry beer we stopped at the Casey's General Store across the street to make the purchase.  The closest they had to craft beer was a Sam Adams lager.  Rather have a Blue Moon.  This covered bridge has been an obsession for me.  As cyclists we tend to drink beer on bridges and below bridges and near bridges.  But a covered bridge, only once before on our way out to Ragbrai last year.  As for the Blue Moon, tasty Belgian white.  Never fails to please me.  Keep the orange slice, they worked hard to make this.  Imes Bridge Link
Miles--70

Ride No.8
Date--May 25, 2014
Location--Locust Tap, Des Moines, Iowa
Beer--Grain Belt Premium
Thoughts--Really wanted to head the opposite direction and share a beer with my buddy Sam.  He brews up to 3 pony kegs at a time.  I help.  It is a lot of work but very rewarding.  His Hefeweizen is to kill for.  His Munich wheat is also good.  He once had a black beer that was darker than old motor oil.  We'd mix it with a lite and call it a "arf & arf."  Had everything arranged to make that ride.  It's an ugly ride, total urban wilderness to get there.  Not that far but the best route involves sidewalks, traffic and narrow streets.  The southside of Des Moines really needs a trail from the river to County Line Rd.  Sure, I could take the "safe street" but that is out of the way, adds hills and really is not an improvement on a Friday evening and night for the consumption of alcohol.  In the end I did not have the strength to make it.  Saturday was a big mileage day as Ride. 7 states, ended up with 100.  Sunday was a washout with the rain and Sam did not answer the phone.  But I got a text to join friends in more bike friendly locations.

So grabbed the Beast, a pair of sunglasses, mobile and wallet.  Ended up at the Locust Tap.  3 of us just beat the rain as a dark ominous black cloud wafted over like the aliens on Independence Day.  The barkeep was kind and suggested that we bring the bicycles inside.  We placed them by the pool table.

The cooler has a vast selection of beer and I searched for something "krafty" like Flying Dog Ale's In Heat Wheat, a hefe, which probably is history.  But I said fook it and ordered a Grain Belt.  When my father was a beer drinker he drank that swill and Buckhorn.  Since the return of GB I have ordered a few, usually tallboys or "Big Friendlies" as labeled on the can.  Fortunately, they had 12oz cans so I matched Craig's Hamms and Chad's PBR.  Basic American lager a little bit on the sweet side.
Miles--4.20

At The Lift after leaving the Locust Tap, Exile's Hannah a Bavarian wheat.  Forgot that I already used this location.

Runner Up for my Confluence visit.  South Side Citra Blonde.  Chewbocka trumps all.

4 extra miles each way to get here 1/2 hour before they open.  Fortunately, I purchased a mini Fireball shot at the gas station 13 miles earlier.  Another ride to this place in the near future.

Total mileage--224

Indianola to Johnston:Up & Down on the Mustang Road

At the junkyard.  2 Mustang IIs, an early 60s Comet and an late 70s early 80s Z-28.

My planned pre-dawn start of a century failed.  Too tired and it was a bit chilly.  We, Mary and I, had to be in Johnston at 1 pm to help my mother.  Hate it when people schedule things during prime time biking hours but we had to do the right thing.  I was ready to give it all up but then decided at 6 am that we could have breakfast and then ride to Indianola and back.  Usual route to Carlisle and the Summerset Trail.

Buffalo Sweat Oatmeal Cream Stout.  Also available at the bar in Mingo and in tallboys.

What I was not expecting were all the stops to take photos.  At Mullets for breakfast I photographed my beer for the  Brewvet Challenge, 8 rides of a total of at least 40 miles, review of the beer which should preferably be a craft beer, 8 different locations and bike beers count.  Easy!

The Geocouching photos.  Coffee mug, plunger and Trivial Pursuit game there as well.  Dumped off the road, down a ditch and next to a cornfield. 

Then when busting out of town at the flat before the climb I spotted a recliner that could be used for the Geocouching game.  More info on this at Geocouching Series  I lead Iowa on this.  In fact, I placed Iowa on the map for this!

Almost to the top of that hill I looked at the junkyard where a few years back some classic broken tooth man asked us if we were "doin' the Hy Vee?"  Which after talking to him meant "are you participating in the Hy Vee Triathalon?"  I'm fat, mister, and I only ride bikes for amusement and commuting and not to make up for some inadequacy.  Anyway, no one was there but instead a wonderful rotting Mustang II Cobra was begging for me to take its photo for the Abandoned and Neglected Vehicles FB Group.  I saved this photo session for later.  Normally, on our return we take SE 57th back instead of riding down thie hill on SE 45th to avoid the hills on E Brooks Dr.  But since we are training for a major bicycle tour, RASDAK, riding up hills is good.  Mary agreed.

Cobra II

At this point we were still on the outskirts of Des Moines.  Nothing to stop for the rest of the way except for Casey's in Carlisle for a potty break.  We were pleased to discover that the railroad crossings on E Brooks Dr and in Avon Lake were redone to make them smoother for cars and bicycles.

At Casey's General Store in Carlisle.  Obligatory bike photo.  Usually our tandem here.

Purchased a poppy for Vets.

The poppy photo of my bike was a sun bleached fail so through the magic of editing we have this strange photo!

The Summerset Trail looked busy with the trailhead full of cars but the trail itself was not crowded.  I will say this, this has to be the friendliest trail in central Iowa.  Nobody was training for a race and everyone turned their head and smiled whenever I said, "hello, two bikes passing on your left."  Even the vicious red wing blackbirds seemed friendly.

Wanted an action shot of my view.  Not the best.

This was the first action shot photo.  Took the second one because 18 mph is better than 15 mph.

We took the trail all the way into Indianola and stopped at the trailhead with the restrooms and sheltered tables.  A person there asked if we saw his wife running.  There were many women running as we approached town.  He described her and it did not ring a bell.  "Purple shoes," he said.  Sorry.  If I look at a runner's shoes it's usually the soles I see.  Eventually she arrived.

Mary in Indianola.  Coke vending machine is gone.

We also spotted a Team Ska sticker that someone left when he rode with us two Septembers ago.  Tried to photograph it but even without the flash it did not show up well.  Hence, no photo of it here.

Guess I had one Team Ska photo left on the phone.

The trip back was a bit windy.  It was also full of Mustangs.  There were a few on the way down but now there were many.  New ones and old ones.  Highlights were a green 69 fastback and a candy apple red 67 convertible.  SHARP!!  Even a few convertibles of the 1994-2004 vintage as well as the post 2005 models.  But probably the best or at least the most coincidental was the 1979 Pace Car that slowed down and looked when we were leaving the Mustang II graveyard.  The successor of those dead ponies appeared after we honored them.  Weird!

ON TO JOHNSTON

We stopped at home first.  Talked to the neighbors son since she, 89 years old, had some surgery done last week.  2 weeks of rehab.  They saved her feet.  She's walking again.  We need to change out of our biking regalia and into normal clothing for the 11 mile ride then 5 hour sit in Johnston then 11 miles back home.  Nothing worse than sitting in bike shorts for hours and hours after a ride.  Nothing significant about taking the Trestle to Trestle trail.  Weaving through the post Farmers Market crowd took skill and attention and for once I was glad to have a helmet on.  This was on the Principal River Walk.  I was able to show Mary a hidden trail in Johnston to get to my mother's apartment.

The ride back was the most difficult.  Legs were in repair mode and stiff.  Energy levels on low.  Managed to make it.  Spotted the third Camaro of the day.  A new one parked at the ball park.  The second was on SE 22nd, an 80's style black with aftermarket yellow trim as some sort of gaudy Hawkeyes Camaro gone crap but if it makes the owner feel happy...

The first Camaro of the day.

72.4 miles.  Lots of things accomplished.  A great day to be on a bicycle with Mary..

Final Countdown to RASDAK

Three weekends to go.  Feel like I am so out of sync with the rest of the world.  Everyone wants to ride to be social.  It's Bike Month but most of the events are scheduled during prime biking hours.  Finally we have decent weather.  Seems like only yesterday that it was -5F on my commute to work.  Spring has barely begun and I am on the final training rides of the season before the first week long tour.

I am ready.  Just want to do some long rides to really break myself in.  A century tomorrow and hopefully a 40+ ride the next day.  That is what is missing on the training, multiple back to back long mile days.   Easy to bust out 120 miler then do nothing the next day.  Weekends have been so hit and miss.  The my usual 12.5 to work and 15 home.  Memorial Day weekend will be the final test.  I plan to do 60+ miles each morning.  Three in a row.  That is as close to real touring as one can get and still keep a day job.  Sure, I could bust those miles out after work.  But work is tiring and that type of mileage will only serve to wear me out.

Hills.  Got to be hills now.  Trails do not cut it for my needs.  Trails are good for initial saddle time to break your ass in but for touring they are mere training wheels.  I'll be found in Warren County.  That county offers the best hills and roads for training.

Then the weather.  I have a feeling it may still be cold.  It has been the longest Winter ever in Spring.  Packing is another issue that will wait.  Frost this morning.  Frost warnings again.....

And when I return from South Dakota it will be time to relax and focus on bagging out.  So if I appear like a lunatic for starting a ride in the middle of the night or from blowing off social events you know why.  Just a desire to be in the best possible shape for a 7 day 500 mile ride across a neighboring state.

Hurt here so you won't hurt there--Sam Hildreth

Cyclo de 10th O

3rd Geocouch score for the day.  1st with Mary in the photo.

Took a break from my Saturday Centuries this week.  I admit I was a bit disappointed deep inside, ruined a trend, pattern.  But I did this for a good cause and had a great time doing it.  Once again Mary and I controlled Check Point 4 for Cyclo de Mayo.

Craig with Last Place trophy.

Cyclo de Mayo is Des Moines original bicycle poker run.  It raises money for the memory of Joan Gill who was taken away from this world much too young by cancer.  IIRC $2500 was raised for the Joan Gill Memorial Scholarship.  Graham Johnston organizes and runs this event.  Originally a gazebo was planned but greedheads and landrapers prevent that project from being built in the location that would best honor Joan's memory.  Instead a few bicycle fixstations were erected in her honor.

That was Craig's goal, last finisher.  He also had a winning poker hand.

But the fun I had was on the way to and fro the event.  I had to meet Graham Johnston at Saints Pub + Patio in Beaverdale, the start of the ride and the HQ of the event, for last minute equipment.  On my way there i scored to photos for Geocouching and several photos for the may Challenge in Bicycle Ride&Seek on FaceBook.  Honestly, I was having trouble getting to Check Point 4.  The third Geocouch was literally half way between my house and the checkpoint.  But I waited patiently for the opportunity to take the photo.

1st Geocouch score of the day.  Originally spotted on Thursday but had to wait to take photo and submit.

After all the riders passed through our station and after Mary and I enlisted the help of a kid on a BMX bike to take our photo on the abandoned couch, we rode to the finish of Cyclo de Mayo to see the results and return the equipment.  Most importantly, get some food as my 4 egg omelet did not last long and the caffeine in my system had me a bit out of control.  I felt like I was 3 moments ahead of everything--my mobile phone, my computer, traffic and every human I interacted with.  A bacon cheeseburger would rebalance me.

This couch had been sitting behind the Hy Vee grocery store on MLK for quite some time according to the helpful smile who snapped the shot.

About a dozen of us left Saints afterwards to ride downtown.  We had to seek shelter underneath the InterUrban Trail bridge due to rain.  The rain lasted for an eternity, maybe an hour but some were discussing who we would eat.  My calves are not edible and if they were the strong muscles would be touch and too chewy.  An organic vegan would be the best choice in terms of safe meat.  I am neither.  Soon the sun returned and there was no need for cannibalism.

My job is  the Official Photographer for Craig Lein's FaceBook page  This is underneath the pedestrian bridge while taking a break from the rain..

The resumption of the ride took us to Blazing Saddles bar in the East Village and a stop at Jimmy Johns for sandwiches to eat at home.  It was dark now.  We had been out for quite some time.  I was able to get the photo of a neon sign for the May Challenge of Bicycle Ride&Seek.  What a great day!

For more information on Geocouching check out this...Geocouching