In Burlington IA just in time for Snake Alley Criterium

[marni]

Thank you everyone for your support. We are at the stage in the ride where the meltdowns do happen . Our bodies are getting tired. Today was a better day, I rode at the back and snugged into the middle position in a group of five, the roads were quiet and the (head)wind was moderate. We have another 13 days of riding interspersed with 2 days off. We finish at Lake Itasca on June9th then take a charter bus back into Minneapolis to the bike store to ship bikes and then to the airport the next day.

The timing for being in Burlington couldn't be better since the
Snake Alley Criterium is running tomorrow and we are seeing some very nice bikes rolling in.

Honestly the dinner circle tonight was just like a group of construction workers eyeing passing females ( in our case bikes) and making comments- I guess that's what happens when you get 30 uninhibited, tired and relaxed biker women gathered together with stomachs full of Morrocan Chicken Stew, cous cous with almonds, cantaloupe, blueberries, strawberries and persimmon cookies sent in to meet me here by a friend from the Southern Tier.

todays commentary

sigh... no more apple fritters at the Mill Bakery in Navoo Il. but we had a good cup of coffee. Most of the riding today was pretty flat through square mile big cornfields, with four way stops every 1000 feet. Think of the opening of Superman or Field of Dreams and you will get the picture. Crossed back into Iowa to get to the hotel which as is typical on the Iowas side, had a steep climb up from main street to the top of the bluff and the suburb sections of the city. Nice town, but the big excitement is that the Snake Alley Criterium is being held here tomorrow so there are lots of very expensive bikes rolling in. Just saw two of the guests, a 14 year old cat three rider and another young lad in team kit roll their finger weight bikes outto do an evening training ride.

We will all go in on the van tomorrow morning to see the sites and some of the races. Got my laundry done this afternoonso I'm good to go. whoo hoo.

photos are respectively me celebrating my birthday on the road,
the bike trail along the Mississippi going into Grafton, Il,
the Mill Bakery sign at Nauvoo
a rock spring through a nutural rock arch along the road

[Crankin]

I would be ready to kill someone if I was at that point in your tour. I find the same thing happens at a certain point in any cycling trip for me, no matter how long or short. Then, when I'm done, I only have fond memories, although inside, I know parts of it sucked.

[Sky King]

Glad to hear your spirits have lifted. I am so impressed with each of you on this trip!

[goldfinch]

Then, when I'm done, I only have fond memories, although inside, I know parts of it sucked.

Kind of describes my life.