Day 19 - Denison to Colfax, Iowa

It was a little odd getting started this morning without Dave, but the routine has almost become second nature. We started off with the standard oatmeal, bagels, danishes and also enjoyed some scrambled eggs with peppers. Forecasts called for another warm day with a moderate headwind. The prospect of a headwind for 134 miles does make one consider crawling back in bed or sagging in one of the support vehicles, but off we went into the cool morning air. I think I've lost some weight on the ride despite eating everything I get my hands on and this picture may prove it... I'm a shadow of my former self. And that's the last thing that was funny about today! (At least I think it's funny...)

After some initial climbing out of the Denison area, the world turned flat. The roads ran from poor to almost dangerous. While the traffic yesterday was modest and drivers were courteous, there was more traffic today and the drivers, especially the truckers, were apparently angry that they had to work on a Thursday. The best was the gravel hauler who couldn't wait to pass and nearly created a head-on with another semi coming in the opposite direction. I guess he was worried the rocks he was carrying would spoil if he delayed his trip a few seconds. But the roads left the lasting impression... my body felt as if I'd been rolled in a barrel or tumbled in a dryer for a couple of hours. (Oddly enough, the Felt didn't creak once...)

In the midst of all the jolting roads and ear drum shattering air horns, we did ride on some new, smooth pavement where one of the weirdest things I've experienced on a bike happened. I was third wheel in a pace line with Bob Lewis at the front. Bob keeps a steady pace and we were moving along at about 17 or 17.5 mph into a light headwind over new asphalt. The temperature, the breeze, the whirring of the tires were... well... very soothing. My legs were turning the pedals over, but I actually felt myself nodding off. I've done this in the car before (who hasn't?) but never on a bike. I guess I need a little more rest? The only picture worthy scenery besides some calves butting heads and a beautiful young horse running along with us, which I wasn't able to capture with the camera, was the Des Moines River, unless I missed something during my nap...


The day ended with my group and couple of other riders independently making a wrong turn and having to backtrack into Colfax. The GPS on the Blackberry came in handy as we tried to sort out our error and avoid additional miles. So, feeling beat up and tired, I made it to Colfax and arrived at the Comfort Inn to find that at least for this evening, I have a room to myself. I walked across the street to the MacDonalds and enjoyed an Angus Burger with a large fries and a giant iced tea. And best of all after finishing my meal, I returned to the hotel for an hour long massage! After 19 days in the saddle, my legs, shoulders, feet, and hands were a bundle of knots. I thought about getting a picture of me on the massage table, but decided instead to show the remnants of my feast at the golden arches. I meant to take one before the meal, but was so hungry I forgot.

The last picture this evening is of the map that is displayed outside one of the support trailers each evening. It tracks our progress across the country. Things tend to blur together on the ride, so it is good to have the map to put things in perspective. We've gone quite a distance, but have much more to go.