Today

 Today Ragbrai rolled through our little town. We knew that it was coming, but did not realize the magnatude until it happened. I have known about this Ride Across Iowa for many years, since it began, really. It has in fact come before, in 1998. Wow, have things changed since then! Wow! Did I say, Wow? Larry and I went up town to see what was happening. This was shortly before 8 a.m. I meant to wake up earlier to go riding my bike, but alas, did not make it up by 6 a.m. Anyway, when we got up there, it was already hopping. There were more vendor stands than I expected. Somewhere I read 27 in all. That in itself involves a lot of people! As we stood there, the bikers were coming in. Some were buying, some kept on going, some just wanted a cup of coffee. (which no one seemed to have at the time, but went and made some soon after.) Why no one had thought to make coffee is beyond me. We should all know that there are always people who drink coffee, warm weather or not! I hope that woman that asked me about it got to have a cup. Then there were many visits I got to have with the riders as they walked their bikes, parked their bikes, or put them behind a bush or under a tree. The main shock to me was the average age of the riders. I talked to one of the support vehicle drivers and was told that the average age this year was about 54.2 Wow, not too far from my age group. Amazing! And good news. We heard that 2 riders had gotten hit by a car leaving Lake View or Auburn, I can't remember which for sure. The entire day is a jumble of memories right now. Perhaps I will be able to get it straight in my mind and this story later on. I stood there watching in total Awe as the various riders came in, stayed a while, or left. The people I connected with were respectful, polite, and very willing to have a conversation along the way. There was more sweat than I have seen in my Lifetime so far! As we watched the people milling around, I glanced up at the clock near the Bank. It was already 78 degrees shortly after 8. It was going to be a hot one as everyone predicted. I had thought to grab my camera, but when I went to take a picture the first time, blah, no SD card! I had left it in my laptop. So, home I went to get the card and get back to get some photos. I wish I had thought to get a photo with some of the people we talked to. Hindsight! I am not much of a person to get into a crowd, but I have to say I was flabbergasted and enthralled. Since dh and I have been riding our bikes for a while now and are riding somewhere between 6 and 10 miles 2 to 3 times a week, I began to feel a kinship of sorts with the folks as they entered town and stopped for a while. I am still in a bit of an euphoria from the entire day! As the day went on, more riders came. Then more, then more. Pretty soon they were 4 or 5 deep walking their bikes down the street! It was a sight to see. A good one. Every person I talked to was polite and respectful and seemed genuinely glad to be there and to talk to us. I did finally get some good pictures, and so thought I would share one of them here. I will probably get some more posted soon. Probably on Facebook. For now, it is late and I need to get some rest. I am a tired woman! Encouraged, reved up and happy. Maybe riding across Iowa should be on my Bucket List that I plan on writing soon. Goodnight all.