Day 38 - mid-day report & newspaper interview

Thursday, May 21, 2009
- Start: Marshalltown, Iowa
- ATW: Nevada
- End:
- Day Miles: Ride Time: Total Trip Miles:

Gone 40 miles so far. Made it to Nevada, IA. We were interviewed in State Center, IA by the local newspaper. Do not know when the article will be published.
State Center is the "Rose Capital of Iowa" as well as the central location of the state... hence the name.

editor: Newspaper was the Mid-Iowa Enterprise. I will add the article to the blog when it is published.>

Day 37

Wednesday, May 20, 2009
- Start: Belle Plaine
- ATW: Rt66 -> Chelsea, Tama, Le Grand
- End: Marshalltown, Riverview Park
- Day Miles: 42.4 Ride Time: 4:49 Total Trip Miles: 1174

We got an early start and arrived in Marshalltown about 1:30 PM. The weather on Tuesday was warm and windy. The weather on Wednesday was warm and windier with 20 mi/hr wind from the south and gusts up to 30+ on county roads. We were blown sideways one time. We were riding on a county road with a gravel berm for a few feet which then sloped down at a 45 degree angle to a ditch about 10’ deep. We managed to stay on the gravel berm and not slide into the ditch.

After we got the bike off us, we keep riding but more carefully. After 4 hours of constant crosswinds and heavy winds we were done for the day.

We spent the afternoon and night at Riverview Park in Marshalltown.
photo:http://www.ci.marshalltown.ia.us/
At the park, we took a nap, had lunch and took another nap.

Day 36 On the road again, Back on the road agin,

Tuesday, May 19, 2009 @2:00PM
- Start: Coralville
- ATW: Tiffin, Homestead, South Amanda, Koszta
- End: Belle Plaine
- Day Miles: 55.6 Ride Time: 5:44 Total Trip Miles: 1132

Started out again about Noon.

We do have a plan for the trip, at least each day when we start. The plan is to find a place where we can get food and a place to sleep. We will detour for food.
Spent the night in the yard of a veterinarian where a cat kept trying to cuddle up to us.

Day 33, 34, 35, 36 Visiting Cousins

Saturday, May 16, 2009 through Tuesday, May 19, 2009
- Start:Coralville, Iowa
- ATW:
- End:Coralville, Iowa
- Day Miles:0 Ride Time:0 Total Trip Miles: 1077

Staying with cousins - Rest Day.
Play with kids,
See Coralville,
Have fun.

Day 32

Friday, May 15, 2009
- Start:Lowgen, Iowa
- ATW: Clarience, Tipton, Cedar Buff, Morse, Rt1 to Iowa City
- End:Coralville, Iowa
- Day Miles:50.1 Ride Time:5:24 Total Trip Miles: 1077

Staying with cousins

Day 31

Thursday, May 14, 2009
- Start: Savanna, IL
- ATW: Missisippi River, Sabula Iowa, Malone, Dowich, Grand Mound, Lowden
- End:Lowden, IW
- Day Miles:68.8 Ride Time:6:11 Total Trip Miles:1026

Crossed the Mississippi River. In Lowden, we stopped at a gas stations to buy some milk. While standing in line, I asked the clerk the where abouts of a local church. The lady that was in front of me overheard and asked me when I left the store what we were looking for? She invited us to stay in her back yard just a few blocks away. She let us use her shower. We had a good time getting to know her and the rest of the family.

Flashback: Day 28

While on the Rock Island Trail we met a couple in Princeville, IL, who were out for a day ride on the same trail. They were visiting from Chicago area.
Their cycling website is www.elmhurstbicycling.org


Dave has the wheel off repairing the first spoke to break in the front wheel.



Pedaling once again.