Author: djlofquist

I’ma bikin’ Iowa. Continue reading RAGBRAI

Well, today was my last ride in RAGBRAI. I had a big piece of peach pie, donut holes and little muffins before leaving camp. We stopped early and had big slices of quiche and then stopped 10 miles later and I had a raspberry and a chocolate frozen yoghurt. Then, I saw a little stall … Continue reading Last day of RAGBRAI

Today we had a lovely 66 mile ride to West Union. We had about a half mile of climbing but it was mostly nice rolling hills. We had our usual early breakfast of coffee, bananas, blueberry and carrot cake muffins. Then, 25 miles out, we found our favorite breakfast wrap/burrito vendor and had a big … Continue reading Beautiful 66 mile ride to West Union, IA

Today was an easy 48 mile ride from Mason City (birthplace of masonite) to Charles City. We rode about 20 miles and came across an abandoned quarry that had lots of Devonian fossils. I found three different kinds of brachiopods, pelecypods (clams) and horn corals- it was fun! We then rode another 10 miles before … Continue reading Easy ride today

We left at close to 6:00 this morning and it was beautiful! Cool, a little foggy and a very light breeze. We (Fred & I) stopped in every pass through town and had beverages in every one of them. And food in sone of them. I tell you, vodka and lemonade is a refreshing summer … Continue reading Emmetsburg to Mason City- 104 miles

We just finished s rather short, hot, breezy ride and camp is abuzz- the Pork Tornados are playing tonight in Emmetsburg! Even though they are playing at 8:45, I will be there. FYI, I’ve been getting up at 5:00 am and heading out by 6:30. I’ve also been asleep by 9:30 pm… So today we … Continue reading The Pork Tornados are playing tonight!

Today was a little longer, a little cooler, fewer hills, faster pace and way more food and drink. It was overcast much of the day which was very nice. I had alternate quartering headwinds and quartering tailwinds. And I ate and drank a lot today! I consumed, in no particular order, peach pie a la … Continue reading Day 2: Ida Grove to Pocahontas

Well, it has hot, humid and hilly but I was fine. I didn’t train as much as I would have liked but, the training in Greer, at 8 500’ and with all the hills really helped. I felt strong climbing all the hills and felt good at the end of the ride in spite of … Continue reading RAGBRAI day one: Sergeant Bluff to Ida Grove

At 07:00, nine of us (and our gear and bikes), and the driver, packed into the GOATS van for the 5 hour drive to Sergeant Bluff. All along the way we were passed by trucks, cars and vans with bicycles in carriers. It looks like all of Iowa and most of the surrounding states are … Continue reading RAGBRAI day 0, arrival at Sergeant Bluff & The Expo!

We had a very enjoyable day walking around historic Galena, IL. The town is full of beautiful homes and buildings from the 1830’s to the 1850’s- all in beautiful condition. Ulysses S. Grant ran his presidential campaign from a local hotel. Tomorrow we drive to Sargeant Bluffs, where the ride starts the following morning. Continue reading Last night in Galena, IL