Miles: 0 (50 in Uhaul) Elevation: Time: Total miles: 1,805.91 (2,366.91 w/ Uhaul) Total Elevation: 75,661 Total Time: 176 hours 47 minutes We weathered the storm. Sleeping with the blinds open, we witnessed quite a light show into the wee hours of the morning. The force and beauty of mother nature is unparalleled. It gives …
Thursday, July 10, 2025Day 40 Ellsworth Air Force Base, Box Elder, SD to Wall, SD Miles: 49.91Elevation: 1,670Time: 4 hours 5 minutes Total miles: 1,558.65 (1,989.65 w/ Uhaul)Total Elevation: 71,086Total Time: 157 hours 28 Somedays you tour. And others you RIDE. Our morning began listening to the weather and when the report said there would …
Miles: 7.35 Elevation: 160 Time: 50 minutes Total miles: 1,805.91 (2,316.91 w/ Uhaul) Total Elevation: 75,661 Total Time: 176 hours 47 minutes Wow!! What an Unscripted amazing day!! Just days away from RAGBRAI, we’ve worked hard to stay on schedule and to make good decisions. The weather apps are showing we may get some weather …
Monday, July 14, 2025 White Lake, SD to Mitchell, SD Day 44 Miles: 43.80 Elevation: 413 Time: 3 hours 46 minutes Total miles: 1,798.56 (2,229.56 w/ Uhaul) Total Elevation: 75,501 Total Time: 175 hours 57 minutes What a special day! For so many reasons! 31 years ago I became a mom to a really …
July 13, 2025. Day 43. Kennebec, SD to White Lake, SD Miles: 67.15. Elevation: 1,332. Time: 5 hours 14 minutes Total miles: 1,754.76 (2,185.76 w/ Uhaul). Total Elevation: 75,088. Total Time: 172 hours 11 As we roll out of camp, the sound the National Anthem is being sung at the rodeo arena. What a great …
Miles: 67.27. Elevation: 1,512. Time: 4 hours 30 minutes Total miles: 1,687.61 (2,118.61 w/ Uhaul). Total Elevation: 73,756. Total Time: 166 hours 57 Sunshine and tailwinds! Yeah Baby!! After the last two days, we ready for an ‘easy’ days ride. Starting the day with gas station coffee works well! As we leave 1880 Town and …
Friday, July 11, 2025. Wall, SD to Belvidere, SDDay 41. Miles: 61.69. Elevation: 1,158. Time: 4 hours 59 minutes Total miles: 1,620.34 (2,051.34 w/ Uhaul). Total Elevation: 72,244. Total Time: 162 hours 27 We are now in the Grasslands where the terrain does not change much…nearly flat, grassy and we are seeing corn planted …
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 Day 39 Mt. Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch, SD to Ellsworth Air Force Base, Box Elder, SD Miles: 46.26Elevation: 1,585Time: 4 hours 15 minutesTotal miles: 1,508.74 (1,939.74 w/ Uhaul)Total Elevation: 69,416Total Time: 153 hours 23 minutes “It’s rather like war, isn’t it?”-Rapid City Journal’s Special Flood Edition on June 26, 1972 …
Monday, June 30, 2025Day 30 Buffalo, WY. Zero Day Miles:Elevation:Time: Total miles: 1,101 (1,532 w/ Uhaul)Total Elevation: 52,608Total Time: 112 hours 38 minutes Rise and shine!After a restful night, we awaken to a beautiful, sunny morning.Our first fun experience was watching a Terex roll down the street…especially funny as cyclists are after called T-Rex because …
Sunday, June 29, 2025Day 29 Meadowlark Lake, WY to Buffalo, WY Miles: 44.46Elevation: 2457Time: 4 hours 25 minutes Total miles: 1,101Total Elevation: 52,608Total Time: 112 hours 38 minutes Over the top! Last night, just after 10, the sky opened releasing a barrage of rain pelting the metal roof over us. The roar was deafening until …
Saturday, June 28, 2025Day 28 Ten Sleep, WY to Meadowlark Lake, WY Miles: 20.62Elevation: 4,045Time: 3 hours 59 minutes Total miles: 1,056.54Total Elevation: 50,151Total Time: 108 hours 13 minutes Somedays, you just know it’s going to be a tough day. While thinking about the ride ahead…climbing over 4,000 feet on a loaded bike in altitude, …
Friday, June 27, 2025Day 27 Worland, WY to Ten Sleep, WY Miles: 25.21Elevation: 1,572Time: 2 hours 36 minutes Total miles: 1,035.92Total Elevation: 46,106Total Time: 105 hours 37 minutes “This Life is Pretty Amazing” Today we are back in the saddle! Knowing it was a relatively short day and check in wasn’t until 3, we enjoyed …
Thursday, June 26, 2025Day 26 Pahaska Tepee Resort, WY to Worland, WY Miles:Elevation:Time: Total miles: 1,010.71Total Elevation: 44,534Total Time: 103 hours 1 minute It’s a new day! It’s a new adventure! The final day of having the Uhaul truck took us along highway 16 along most scenic mountain and valleys. Traveling through tunnels in the …
Wednesday, June 25, 2025Day 25 Grant Village, Yellowstone, WY to Pahaska Tepee Resort, WY Miles:Elevation:Time: Total miles: 1,010.71Total Elevation: 44,534Total Time: 103 hours 1 minute What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger except bears. Bears will kill you! Last night, we settled into the tent after storing everything in the bear box. Grizzlies has been …
Tuesday, June 24, 2025Day 24 West Yellowstone, MT to Grant’s Village inside Yellowstone, WY Miles:Elevation:Time: Total miles: 1,010.71Total Elevation: 44,534Total Time: 103 hours 1 minute Today’s events have forever changed our lives. Continuing our journey in the Uhaul truck we secured on Saturday in Dillon, MT, we are grateful to the sage advice of Larry …
Monday, June 23, 2025Day 23West Yellowstone, MT Miles:Elevation:Time: Total miles: 1,010.71Total Elevation: 44,534Total Time: 103 hours 1 minute It’s 1:30 am. We are snug in our KOA log cabin and I awaken with the most weird feeling. Almost panicked, I sit up and take a deep breath. As my mental awareness increases, I remember this. …
Sunday, June 22, 2025Day 22 Ennis, MT to West Yellowstone, MT Miles:Elevation:Time: Total miles: 1,010.71Total Elevation: 44,534Total Time: 103 hours 1 minute Awakening to rain and wind, we are immensely grateful for the Uhaul truck. Loading our belongings, we grabbed breakfast for resuming our journey.Shortly after leaving Ennis, snow could be on the nearby hills …
Saturday, June 21, 2025Day 21Dillon, MT to Ennis, MT Miles:Elevation:Time: Total miles: 1,010.71Total Elevation: 44,534Total Time: 103 hours 1 minute Plan B Safe and warm in the ‘bath house’ of Walk Bike Montana, we listened to the gale force throughout the night. Rising at 5, we discussed our proposed plan for moving forward. Coffee at …
Friday June 20,2025Day 20Wisdom, MT to Dillon, MT Miles: 67.59Elevation: 2,562Time: 6 hours 21 minute Total miles: 1,010.71Total Elevation: 44,534Total Time: 103 hours 1 minute Dream weaver! Thanks to the EpicRidwWeather app, we knew we were going to encounter wind today. And, the wind and gusts would get stronger as the day progressed so we …
Thursday, June 19, 2025Day 19Darby, MT to Wisdom, MT Miles: 58.07Elevation: 3,527Time: 7 hours 1 minute Total miles: 943.12Total Elevation: 41,972Total Time: 96 hours 40 minutes As we departed Darby, two black billed Magpies were chasing a squirrel.We had 2 passes to climb today so we enjoyed the lead out. At times, the shoulder was …
Wednesday, June 18, 2025Day 18Missoula, MT to Darby, MT Miles: 66.84Elevation: 1,332Time: 6 hours 2 minutes Total miles: 885.05Total Elevation: 38,445Total Time: 89 hours 39 minutes Feels like home! Leaving under clear and sunny skies, we enjoyed riding the same roads we traveled in 2023. It’s incredible how the mind remembers so much-like rewinding a …
Tuesday, June 17, 2025Day 17 Paradise, MT to Missoula, MT Miles: 65.75Elevation: 2,293Time: 6 hours 18 mo Total miles: 818.21Total Elevation: 37,113Total Time: 83 hours 37 minutes Sweet dreams!Yeah. Maybe not.While much of touring is filled with sunshine and butterflies, sometimes a tired body processes differently.Last night, we settled into a beautiful resort-Piece of Paradise- …
Monday, June 16, 2025Day 16Thompson Falls, MT to Paradise, MT Miles: 37.26Elevation: 984Time: 5 hours 41 minutes Total miles: 752.46Total Elevation: 34,820Total Time: 77 hours 19 minutes And the thunder rolls. Third driveway past Highway 135 at the green tractor- our destination for the day. Leaving Thompson Falls and a most beautiful room in the …
Sunday, June 15, 2025Day 15Clark Fork, ID to Thompson Falls, MT Miles: 62.1Elevation: 2,149Time: 5 hrs 41 minutes Total miles: 715.2Total Elevation: 33,836Total Time: 73 hrs 55 minutes Be easy on yourself, and life will be hard.Be hard on yourself, and life will be easy. Happy Father’s Day! I spent much of the day thinking …
Saturday, June 14, 2025Day 14Priest WA to Clark Fork, WA Miles: 50.8Elevation: 1,109Time: 4 hrs 10 minutes Total miles: 653.1Total Elevation: 31,687Total Time: 68 hrs 14 minutes Cattails and lily pads! Today’s ride is quite arguably the most beautiful in my lifetime. The sun was shining amidst white fluffy clouds. We had occasional side winds …
Friday, June 13, 2025Day 13Gillette Lake, WA TO Priest River, ID Miles: 70.22Elevation: 1,677Time: 6 hrs 03 minutes Total miles: 602.30Total Elevation: 30,578Total Time: 64 hrs 04 minutes Falling asleep to the sound of a fire crackling…the scent reminiscent of campfires past and the deep, intoxicating warmth it lends, our night’s rest was deep and …
Thursday, June 12, 2025Day 12Kettle Falls, WA to Gillette Lake, WA Miles: 34.58Elevation: 2,241Time: 3 hrs 58 minutes Total miles: 532.08Total Elevation: 28,901Total Time: 58 hrs 59 minutes Today is sort of a day off-shorter distance and less climbing.Breakfast was in our room made by the microwave from items purchased last night. Greek yogurt is …
Wednesday, June 11, 2025Day 11Republic, WA to Kettle Falls, WA Miles: 46.71Elevation: 3,789Time: 5 hours 23 minutes Total miles: 497.50Total Elevation: 26,660Total Time: 55 hrs 01 minutes Today marks our 9th consecutive day in the saddle. We have been mindful to ride at a sust pace, mostly in Zone 2. No records being broken here; …
Tuesday June 10, 2025Day 10Omak, WA to Republic, WA Miles: 62.66Elevation: 4,262Time: 7 hrs 23 minutes Total miles: 450.79Total Elevation: 22,871Total Time: 49 hrs 38 minutes Run, piggy, run!! Today is another day of climbing with the start into a head wind. Our bodies have settled in and now realize each day we ride. The …
We headed out with a bang this past week, it’s been awesome and challenging. Eight days, countless climbs, and one incredible journey begins. The numbers tell part of the story: 392.10 miles covered, 18,609 feet climbed 41 hours and 4 minutes in the saddle across eight unforgettable days. More to follow, today… Sherman Pass on …
Monday, June 9, 2025Day 9Winthrop,WA To Omak, WA Miles: 45.07Elevation: 3,009Time: 4 hrs 51minutes Total miles: 388.13Total Elevation: 18,609Total Time: 42 hrs 15 minutes Loop Loup Baby! Arriving in Winthrop yesterday afternoon were two hot, sweaty, hungry cyclists. A quick shower and short walk to the local pizza place, we sat and absolutely chilled. We’d …
Sunday, June 8, 2025 Day 8Colonial Creek Campground, WA to Winthrop, WA Miles: 64.53Elevation: 4,951Time: 7 hrs 55 minutes Total miles: 343.06Total Elevation: 15,600Total Time: 37 hrs 24 minutes The Day. This is the day that frightened me such I worked hard to lose weight so I could climb the hill. This was my elephant. …
Day 7Concrete, WA to Colonial Creek Campground, WA Miles: 48.76Elevation: 2,349Time: 4 hrs 38 minutes Total miles: 278.53Total Elevation: 10,649Total Time: 29 hrs 29 minutes Sleeping with a stream nearby is so soothing. We are at the edge of camp and enjoyed a peaceful night’s sleep. Our morning began with coffee at the BirdsView. April, …
Friday, June 6, 2025Day 6Fildalgo Bay, WA to Concrete, WA Miles: 42.47Elevation: 676Time: 4 hrs 31minutes Total miles: 229.77Total Elevation: 8,300Total Time: 24 hrs 51 minutes There’s nothing like a dandelion ready to burst! When we woke up this morning, there was stuff everywhere, as if our belongings were fluffs ready to float off in …
Thursday, June 5, 2025Day fiveFort Worden, Washington to Fidalgo Bay, WA Miles: 51.32Elevation: 2,316Time: 5 hrs 35 minutes Total miles: 187.3Total Elevation: 7,624Total Time: 20 hrs 20 minutes Sometimes when things don’t go as planned. Last night at camp, we had the most wonderful time sitting by the fire. It bought back memories of my …
WednesdayJune 4, 2025Day 4 Miles: 34.07Elevation: 1,699Time: 3 hrs 46 minutes Total miles: 135.98Total Elevation: 5,308Total Time: 14hrs 45minutes “Maggie, let me in! Maggie!” She exclaimed. Our neighbor at the hotel arrived late in the night, making sure her car was securely locked. “Beep. Beep”. Heavy foot steps and several trips. It was 3 am …
Tuesday, June 3, 2025Day 3 Miles: 48.78Elevation: 1,581Time: 5 hrs 5 minutes Total miles: 101.91Total Elevation: 3,609Total Time: 10 hrs 59 minutes How did Tuesday get here so fast?! And now it’s after 8!! Our morning started with hot coffee and a great conversation with our server Shannon. Such a beautiful person with a roadrunner …
June 2, 2025Day 2 Okay. Ride with me on this one! Yesterday, we rode the Mary Clark Road to get to the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT). We laughed remembering Maryhill Winery during our 2023 tour where we took refuge while the road was closed due to a fire. It was the last safe place to …
Sunday, June 1, 2025Day 1 Miles: 53.14Elevation: 2,028Time: 5 hrs 54 minutes Total miles: 53.14Total Elevation: 2,028Total Time: 5 hrs 54 minutes Jitters! Excitement! Charting the unknown. Today has been a long anticipated day for us. While we feel a little less uncertainty having ridden the 2023 tour, there are still so many special moments …
Dianna’s post This is a day I’ll always remember! One filled with tears. 💕💕💕 It started by learning that dear Rex Burtt’s CT scans are clear of lymphoma. The bravery of this beautiful 4 year old boy, his mom Lisa Burtt, dad and his amazing family is truly a testament to the power of prayer. …
While preparing for our 2023 tour, Drew taught me skills from his years of backpacking. When you have to carry everything you need, weight matters. And you’d be surprised what things weigh! That, coupled with years of cycling, watching cyclists spend thousands of dollars to save grams, I knew weight mattered. But I’m just a …
I will forever remember being three years old and riding my red bicycle. It was a hand-me-down…a well-trained bike that my older brother and sister taught. Back in the day when there weren’t ‘striders’ but training wheels…when you rode on three wheels: the front, the back and left training wheel or the front, back and …
Last tour, while riding one of the most beautiful paths, bathed in the beauty of the snow-capped Tetons, we came to a parking lot where a van, equipped with a bike rack and touring information on the side, was parked. We suspected Drew’s rear tire may be a little low on pressure so decided to stop and ask if we could borrow a floor pump to top off. Drew and the tour coordinator got immersed in conversation and I saw beautiful flowers nearby. Like a moth drawn to a light, I left the two to their business and headed to take photos.
April 4, 2025 Can you see us? Two bicycles pedaling steadily, hearts beating strong, breaths measured. And can you see them? You see, when riding, while it may appear we are just two…we are many. We are the many who have ridden this stretch before us and those who come after. “Remember the two cyclist …
Welcome to the Roadrunner Tour 2025!
Our three-month tour across the United States of America embarks June 1 from Rialto Beach, WA to Bar Harbor, ME. We will be traveling approximately 4,900 miles on Salsa Warbird gravel bicycles, self-supported.
Whether you’re a casual rider or a serious cyclist, finding the best cycling routes can greatly enhance your riding experience. Luckily, there are plenty of tools out there that make it easy to discover, plan, and navigate new routes. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best bang-for-the-buck options, starting with free tools, and …
Our first time on the trail – Day 1 Imagine a path where the ghosts of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane still roam; where bicyclists, hikers, and horseback riders can explore spruce and ponderosa pine forests; and the very young, the very old, and people of all abilities can enjoy. The George S. Mickelson …
Landing in Ontario, our dear friend Gary Dittmar picks us up. It’s so good to see him and lots of chatter fly’s during our trip home.
It’s nearly 1:30 am before we’re able to settle for the night.
What just happened? Did we really just cross the US on bikes? It all seems so surreal.
As the evening came to a close, we returned to our hotel to prepared for our flight home on Friday. A storm was expected and we are hopeful we don’t have delays.
As sleep crept in, thoughts and memories danced in our heads. We had just traveled across the United States, over 4,000 miles on bicycles. The thought is overwhelming at times. 💕💕
We check in at the KOA and head for downtown Bar Harbor. What fun! As with most tourist destinations, there are lots of shops fill with souvenirs. We have fun reading the towels and shirts with clever sayings and the people watching is over the top!!
We catch dinner at the Dog and Pony where Gail, a local, shares lots of insight into the area. And yes. I had fish and chips again!! Drew’s lobster Mac and cheese had huge chunks of lobster meat. It was a meal fit for a king!
We’ll come back tomorrow morning to do a little more exploring and have breakfast at Jordan’s.
The Atlantic is coming! The Atlantic is coming!!
It’s so hard to believe, at this stage of my life, that I’ve never bathed my feet in the Atlantic Ocean!!
Throughout the tour, a recurring theme is the unusual weather patterns. Excessive rain has caused lots of mosquitoes. Everyone comments how different and bizarre the weather has been. Constantly weighing and measuring risks versus rewards…do we travel north or south? Getting to Bar Harbor is important but safety is the top priority. After much discussion, we come up with Plan B.
Back on the road, we passed an apple tree loaded with little green apples. It was so whimsical and fun to look at. We got to Rochester in a few more hours. While we logged over 60 miles, we climbed less than 400 feet. A really chilled day!! The skies remained clear throughout the day making it an absolutely perfect day on the bike!
A short ride this morning under beautiful, clear skies and temps between 60-70 degrees and we were in Niagara Falls State Park.
The falls are breathtaking!
The crisp, fresh air is so invigorating. The sky is painted with clouds.
The day begins with nice tailwinds but as we turn towards the lake, side gusts nearly blow us over. The pace slows as we weave our way towards Niagara. The side winds turn to headwinds. Easier to stay upright but our travel is slow.
Past vineyards, watching ravens fly, partly cloudy skies and a lighthouse 200 years old. Mile after mile after another. The New York countryside is thick with trees, blossoming plants and lush grounds. I am thankful for being on a bike…to be able to experience this beautiful place.
Recount of the day coming soon.. Seems we might have missed posting to Facebook this day, could have been all the excitement of my brother and Ken’s surprise visit. We will dig into our brains and come up with the memories to fill in the gaps between the photos and videos snips.. Godfrey Run Farm- …
Once again, we’ve escaped the rain! It pored last night and now the morning sky is just beautiful!, soon We traveled through the home town of our friend Bill Green. Such a beautiful place!
And before we knew it, we were at Lake Erie! It is so huge! It looks like the ocean!
The morning is cool…around 65 degrees. We think of our friends in other areas and how they are battling the heat. We are grateful for our riding conditions. Rain is expected today. We’ll see how bad it gets and adjust accordingly. We haven’t melted yet!!
The forecast for today is good and we ride several rail trails. Our plan is to get as many miles in a possible as storms are predicted tomorrow and later in the week.
We were able to get out of Columbus before the town woke up.
While early August, it is staying dark until 7 AM and getting dark early. Our planning will have to take this into consideration so we travel when it’s light and we’re more visible.
Coffee at the Starbucks on base began the morning. There we met Joshua who lived in Loma Linda at one time! It’s a small world. He had lots of questions about long distance cycling. He is an ultra marathon runner!!
The museum was spectacular!!
Four huge hangers housed planes beginning when first invented to missiles, spacecraft and experimental aircraft. We walked for hours and it was certainly worth it
We are back in the corn/soybean fields and welcome it. The traffic is sparse and it’s relaxing to ride amongst the corps.
We find ‘second coffee’ in Lapel, Indiana where we meet Donna and Angela. Fabulous cups of vanilla latte and we are ready to forage forward.
Winding our way, we crossed a train track just before the train arrived. We’ve learned there still is a lot that is transported by rail.
Next, the Cardinal Greenway Trail. Oh so beautiful!! The trail is very well maintained. We are now traveling on a great surface amongst trees. So nice!
So, what will we see today?
After traveling over a beautiful old bridge, we went past a house where two cattle dogs came rushing towards us. Using the small marine horns stopped them. They are so loud and I think it left the dogs stunned.
3 vultures were ahead cleaning up a dead raccoon.
With a fog advisory, we headed to Love’s truck stop for coffee and breakfast. Miles and miles of crops and flat terrain had us feeling like we were in an endless corn maze. Everything was beginning to look the same.
Road closed ahead. Detour. One after the other. Finally, at one I suggested we go to see why it was closed. Thankfully, it was a bridge, closed to cars but passable by bicycle.
A standing joke at RAGBRAI is that Iowa is flat, which it is not! But the parts of Illinois we are traveling through is!!
Corn and soybeans.
Soybeans and corn.
Corn and soybeans.
Soybeans and corn.
Corn and soybeans.
Soybeans and corn!
You get the picture.
After breakfast in the hotel, we went into town.
Pontiac is a neat old town. We had lunch at Delongs, enjoyed the museum and then headed over to the Pontiac Transportation Museum where we met Tim & Penny Dye. Tim gave us an insiders tour filled with interesting facts. We even got to go in the basement which housed even more memorabilia.
Our first stop was Tiskilwa where we found coffee at the gas station. The town was pristine…almost like a movie stage. We met Cecille Gerber who was raised there. She spent her years as a teacher in Chicago and now retired, has returned to Tiskilwa.
She shared amazing history of the town.
We found the entrance to the Hennipen Canal Trail and hopped on. It was so relaxing to ride along the canal away from traffic. And, with just the two of us, so quite and peaceful. No “On your left!!”. We passed an area where there was red algae growing , saw people fishing from the edge and then the Lily Pads!!
During certain sections, they were edge to edge of the water and in one place, nearly a mile stretch! The pad were huge-about 3 feet across.
It was breathtaking!
We eased into the morning with breakfast at the hotel. The second cup of coffee, lingering just a bit longer…all special treats we’ve learned to enjoy on our rest day.
While doing laundry, I encountered another rider staying in the hotel before returning home. This was his and his wife’s first RAGBRAI and sadly, he said their last. The heat and distances were too brutal. The final few days of RAGBRAI, several first timers were saying the same thing. One and done. It truly was the hardest we’ve ridden and we were fortunate to have been well trained and acclimated. I’m not sure how we would have felt had this one of the other years when we hadn’t had as much seat time.
The morning after.
The promise of a new day…the morning light filters over the camp. The sun is rising.
Our roommates are stirring…organizing gear, putting on kits, brushing teeth as if nothing happened the night before. Outside we see riders mounted and heading out. There is a light breeze but today is our last ride day. Okay. Let’s get going.
We slept amazingly well last night, not only because of the miles covered over the past 6 days but because of the air conditioning.
We prepare the duffles for pickup. But normally we leave them in the tent. Now, the tent is missing. Tents are in trees, the river and scattered everywhere. All the Kybos have blown over and one is in the river.
Leaving our duffles at the recommended area, we head out.
A Casey’s is just outside of camp so we stop in for breakfast and morning coffee. There we met Chuck from the USAF Cycling team and have a great conversation about RAGBRAI and the teams history.
Drew mentioned how still the air was. And indeed, not a whisper of a breeze. Looking to the sky, it was crystal clear behind us but dark clouds were forming in front of us. And then the sirens began. I remember that sound from 2014 when I was in Dallas visiting my sister. We were out on a morning run at 5:30 am and the sirens began. I asked “What are those for?” She told me they were tornado warning sirens. “What does that mean?” She replied ” Run faster!”. It was frightening.
Sadly, We are seeing more and more emergency vehicles.
The sun is beating down. There is very little shade and no cloud cover. By midday, I decide to put the water bladder filled with ice into my string bag and on my back. I’m riding in zone 2-3 knowing that the byproduct of metabolism is water, CO2 and HEAT.
And what better day than today to enjoy another tradition-Beekman’s ice cream!! Cold and lots of calories!
Woohoo!! A short day!
Today was quite crowded. At RAGBRAI, you can sign up to ride all day or one or more days. We hear that the organization is trying to break a record for the most riders ever recorded. It does seem a little more crowded today. Our first stop, we met a young man who is riding a unicycle the entire route. Talk about an inspiration. You can see him on YouTube at WorldofUnicycles.
We had fun riding through Polk City…named after my wonderful neighbors! Well, not really but they share the same last name! lol!!
We finished riding just after 1 and searched for camp. All the charters are located at Waterworks Park. OMG! People, people and more people!!
Today is a ride day, not a tour day.
On ride days, the focus is different. While you see really cool things along the way, stopping for photos is not practical. The time to decelerate, get the phone, take the photo, get back going, especially in a large group where you have to strategically find a safe spot to stop and start…well…it’s just not very practical.
Today will be Zachary’s longest ride yet. He’s doing amazing and is embracing the eat/drink regime.
The beauty of the sun rising over the water is breathtaking. A promise of a new day…a day to explore and experience…a day to meet new people and to feel alive!!
Riders were up early and setting out to beat the heat. By 7 am, the Pork Belly Camp was nearly empty.
Sioux City to Storm Lake, Iowa
Day One and you can feel the nervous tension in the air. New riders are uncertain about what to expect and return riders are excited for new experiences and memories! We were blessed with great weather.
Off we went and the group flowed easily. After about 20 miles, things seemed to settle and everyone was in a groove. Drew and I are on cloud nine riding the bikes unloaded. They feel so fast now!! And being at around 1,100 foot elevation versus over 7,000 foot elevation, it’s so easy to breathe!!
Saturday, July 22, 2023Day 50Shuttle from Carter Lake to Sioux City, IowaAnd so it begins! Breakfast downstairs in the hotel. Fuel up. And enjoy an extra cup of coffee. Life won’t be like this over the next week!We chack out and say goodbye to the amazing staff at Best Western Carter Lake. They’ve made our stay …
The morning was spent cleaning and tuning bikes, sorting kits and preparing for our week ahead in the corn.
Zachary would arrive this afternoon around 3 and we’re so excited to share his first RAGBRAI with him.
We walked to the airport hoping to both surprise and help Zachary with his gear.
It was so great to see him walk up the concourse.
Each year I’ve traveled to Omaha, I’m told the zoo is one of the world’s best. Being a weekday, we decide to try it. Last Saturday, it was so crowded, we skipped it.
We were happy to get tickets for half price since we are annual pass holders for the Living Desert.
It was a beautiful day to spend outside, walking four hours to visit all the exhibits. Our favorite area was the rainforest where there were monkeys, birds and bats. The setting was awesome.
We decided to try the Spaghetti Works. Fresh salad bar and gluten free pasta available. And the cheesecake! Drew could only eat half so we got a to-go box.
On the way home, we saw a billboard saying Chris Stapleton was playing tomorrow night. On a whim, we checked to see if any tickets were available at a reasonable price. The last concert we looked into was at the Acrisure Event center in Palm Desert. The tickets were really expensive. And to our surprise, we were able to get two seats. So excited. We love his voice and down to earth demeanor. Now that’s living life unScripted.
What another amazing day!!
While driving to return the Uhaul this morning, we saw emergency vehicles on the opposite side of the road. There were about 4 bikes laying on the greenway and someone being loaded into the paramedic vehicle on a stretcher. We were reminded how fragile life is and how quickly things can change while on the bike. It doesn’t take much…a rock, an uneven surface, a wet painted line or a change of position in the cyclist in front of you to cause you to fall. You’re up. You’re down. And this feat of physics-speed, angle, weight- cares not who you are, how many miles you’ve ridden in your life or how expensive your bike is-it is just the law of physics.
Holy Moly!! With blackout curtains drawn, we woke up at 8:12 am! I can’t remember the last time I slept this late!! I have a belief that your body will determine the rest it needs. Perhaps we’ve become a little sleep deprived…a bit fatigued. Maybe that’s the root of Drew’s ‘allergies’.
Road trippin’
After a month and a half on bicycles, riding in a vehicle feels rather strange!! With over 2,000 miles ridden, we’ll cover over 400 miles today in the Uhaul. The mind continues to weigh pros and cons.
During the night, we were awakened by the loud noise of hail crashing on the vehicles in the parking lot. And the light show!! Thank goodness we’re not in a tent. Thank goodness we will travel safely to Carter Lake today.
Rest day? Day off? Catch up day?? Off the bike day-that’s what this is.
As we travel southeast, temps will be higher. Having ridden RAGBRAI before, staying cool and hydrated is important. And with the bikes, we can carry more than on a normal road bike. We embark on how to carry an ice chest or cooler of some sort. A postal bubble wrap envelope? A hot/cold grocery bag? Last year, we had a battery box that we used to protect fans we used in the tent. With the fans out, it became our ice chest after the ride. A trip to the local Safeway, we found the hot/cold bag but it wasn’t going to work. There, they had a 12 pack foldable ice chest. It zipped closed and fit perfectly in the trunk over the bike’s rear wheel. Success!!
It was a torrid night filled with bizarre lights flashing, swirling against the tent walls. Lightening flashes mixed with the lights from the trucks on the road…the sound of thunder pounding, jake brakes shuttering , tires on the tarmac, the stream nearby…brewed a fitful sleep. Listening to Drew’s breathing wrought with congestion. Light rain pinging. All a bit of sensory overload.
Morning could not come soon enough.
At the break of dawn, we were up and breaking camp with few words spoken. Our routine has become perfected. Coffee is 5 miles away. Into a headwind.
Up and out early, we decided to try riding without morning coffee and breakfast. We are still traveling above 5,000 foot elevation. Custer is just 10 miles away so we thought we’d try it. We made it!!
Had a quick, delicious breakfast at Calamity Jane’s
coffee Shop. While there, a bee is trapped inside and travels along the window searching for a way out. After 15 minutes, I lifted him onto the coffee cup lid and took him outside. There were several children in the coffee shop. How do you find out that your child is allergic to a bee sting? After their first sting and they have a reaction. I’d prefer not to experience that his morning.
Riding the trail presented some of its own unique challenges. On a bicycle, one needs to carefully pick a ‘line’-a course that is least likely to have debris and hazards. Avoiding deep ruts, crossing cattle guards and railroad tracks at 90 degree angles and watching for stickers that can puncture a tire is paramount. But this morning, there was a new hazard-multiple piles of cow pies! It was like an obstacle course! lol! Not before long, we came across a herd of cattle traveling along the trail. One cow-the matriarch-was traveling in the opposite direction bellowing at the others. A few responded with comments but for the most part, they and the babies continued forward.
Leaving our little cabin nestled in the woods was bittersweet. The trees smelled so good and were teeming with birds. The campground had a few baby goats and a donkey for the kids to pet. The goats thought everyone was there to feed them. They were adorable.
Should we return to the Michelson Trail for our return or take the highway? The trail guarantees no grade greater than 4% but the road is a smoother surface with less rolling resistance. We chose the highway.
Oh my! Within 1 hour 11 minutes, we had traveled 6 miles and climbed 1,304 feet! Now that’s a way to start the day!!
It was fun to ride through the towns we saw yesterday from the trail.
The trail had a fair number of people riding. Since it is a rail trail, the grade never exceeded 4%. Flowers were blooming on both side of the path and oftentimes, we found ourselves riding through the forest. We met a lovely couple-Scott and Kristen- who are riding the trail as well. They shared they were relatively new to cycling. How exciting to see someone discover the magic of the bike!
Deep in the pedals, we continue on Hwy 85 turning on Hwy 18 not not before seeing the most amazing site ever!! So, we have begun a pattern of taking short breaks by turning into side streets and driveways since the roads we are traveling don’t have stop signs or traffic lights. It gives us a chance to get out of the saddle and relax a minute. Off in the distance, we see a pull out but there’s are vehicle there. Not terribly unusual but we are always watchful. As we get closer, the two people are waving. And I realize it’s Mark and Roxanne from home!!My legs are no longer tired and we pull up to wonderful hugs! They have traveled out of their way just to see us and say hello.
The food was really good- burger and fries/ chicken salad. The next two hours were spent doing the usual-phone calls, charging items, setting things up for the morning and then the alerts started coming over the phone. It’s 8:48 PM. TORNADO WARNING!!
What?!! This is really foreign to me! Within minutes, it starts to rain. The sky is filled with thunder and lightening. The lightening is so frequent- every 2-3 seconds, it reminds of a kid playing with a light switch. And the downpour and heavy wind followed by hail. I have never seen anything like this!! We watch and try to capture as much footage as possible. This lasts about an hour. Then is all stops, as fast as it started. Wow! Just wow! We turn in for the evening, grateful for a room over our heads and a dry place to sleep.
Riding a bike is a lot like life: some days are harder than others. You just have to dig deep and keep moving forward.We are riding into the wind all day. Our progress will be slow with lots of energy expended. It is what it is.
Multitasking the day’s events, we also included a walk to downtown. Being a holiday, almost everything was closed. We did get lunch and a cup of coffee. Once back, we indulged in an afternoon nap. Sometimes you don’t realize how tired you are until you slow down. It was a little slice of heaven. Now late afternoon, we plan a low key evening, repacking the bikes and preparing for the morning. The weather is predicting headwinds tomorrow so it may be a tough day.
Today will be a light day so we can make lots of stops, photos and play more!
We get to the North Platt river bridge and Drew launches the drone. Within seconds, the swallows from the nearby overpass go crazy and storm the drone. The flight lasts 90 seconds, bringing it down before an incident occurs. We can’t wait to share this with you on our YouTube channel.
We travel along several historic sites: Split Rock, Muddy Gap, the intersection of the California Trail/Oregon Trail/Pony Express/Morman Pioneer. Martins Cove.
As we get closer to Alcova, we are riding along a huge ranch-Pathfinder Ranch. There are signs identifying the ranch about every mile. It went on forever.
And along the way, on both sides of the raid was a type of brush blooming with yellow flowers that smelled sweet, like honeysuckle. What a joy to have a sweet smell to enjoy!
July 1, 2023 Saturday Day 29. Lander to Jeffrey City Miles: 59.84 – Total accent: 2,682Totals:. Miles-1,456.01Accent- 54,014 feet – climbed 126.50 hrs in the saddle Our day began by meeting Chuck and Cindy Kenyon at breakfast. Chuck taught IT at a community college, volunteered for the fire department and is the emergency management coordinator for …
Miles: 0 (50 in Uhaul) Elevation: Time: Total miles: 1,805.91 (2,366.91 w/ Uhaul) Total Elevation: 75,661 Total Time: 176 hours 47 minutes We weathered the storm. Sleeping with the blinds open, we witnessed quite a light show into the wee hours of the morning. The force and beauty of mother nature is unparalleled. It gives …
Thursday, July 10, 2025Day 40 Ellsworth Air Force Base, Box Elder, SD to Wall, SD Miles: 49.91Elevation: 1,670Time: 4 hours 5 minutes Total miles: 1,558.65 (1,989.65 w/ Uhaul)Total Elevation: 71,086Total Time: 157 hours 28 Somedays you tour. And others you RIDE. Our morning began listening to the weather and when the report said there would …
Miles: 7.35 Elevation: 160 Time: 50 minutes Total miles: 1,805.91 (2,316.91 w/ Uhaul) Total Elevation: 75,661 Total Time: 176 hours 47 minutes Wow!! What an Unscripted amazing day!! Just days away from RAGBRAI, we’ve worked hard to stay on schedule and to make good decisions. The weather apps are showing we may get some weather …
Monday, July 14, 2025 White Lake, SD to Mitchell, SD Day 44 Miles: 43.80 Elevation: 413 Time: 3 hours 46 minutes Total miles: 1,798.56 (2,229.56 w/ Uhaul) Total Elevation: 75,501 Total Time: 175 hours 57 minutes What a special day! For so many reasons! 31 years ago I became a mom to a really …
July 13, 2025. Day 43. Kennebec, SD to White Lake, SD Miles: 67.15. Elevation: 1,332. Time: 5 hours 14 minutes Total miles: 1,754.76 (2,185.76 w/ Uhaul). Total Elevation: 75,088. Total Time: 172 hours 11 As we roll out of camp, the sound the National Anthem is being sung at the rodeo arena. What a great …
Miles: 67.27. Elevation: 1,512. Time: 4 hours 30 minutes Total miles: 1,687.61 (2,118.61 w/ Uhaul). Total Elevation: 73,756. Total Time: 166 hours 57 Sunshine and tailwinds! Yeah Baby!! After the last two days, we ready for an ‘easy’ days ride. Starting the day with gas station coffee works well! As we leave 1880 Town and …
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 Day 39 Mt. Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch, SD to Ellsworth Air Force Base, Box Elder, SD Miles: 46.26Elevation: 1,585Time: 4 hours 15 minutesTotal miles: 1,508.74 (1,939.74 w/ Uhaul)Total Elevation: 69,416Total Time: 153 hours 23 minutes “It’s rather like war, isn’t it?”-Rapid City Journal’s Special Flood Edition on June 26, 1972 …
Monday, June 30, 2025Day 30 Buffalo, WY. Zero Day Miles:Elevation:Time: Total miles: 1,101 (1,532 w/ Uhaul)Total Elevation: 52,608Total Time: 112 hours 38 minutes Rise and shine!After a restful night, we awaken to a beautiful, sunny morning.Our first fun experience was watching a Terex roll down the street…especially funny as cyclists are after called T-Rex because …
Sunday, June 29, 2025Day 29 Meadowlark Lake, WY to Buffalo, WY Miles: 44.46Elevation: 2457Time: 4 hours 25 minutes Total miles: 1,101Total Elevation: 52,608Total Time: 112 hours 38 minutes Over the top! Last night, just after 10, the sky opened releasing a barrage of rain pelting the metal roof over us. The roar was deafening until …
Saturday, June 28, 2025Day 28 Ten Sleep, WY to Meadowlark Lake, WY Miles: 20.62Elevation: 4,045Time: 3 hours 59 minutes Total miles: 1,056.54Total Elevation: 50,151Total Time: 108 hours 13 minutes Somedays, you just know it’s going to be a tough day. While thinking about the ride ahead…climbing over 4,000 feet on a loaded bike in altitude, …
Friday, June 27, 2025Day 27 Worland, WY to Ten Sleep, WY Miles: 25.21Elevation: 1,572Time: 2 hours 36 minutes Total miles: 1,035.92Total Elevation: 46,106Total Time: 105 hours 37 minutes “This Life is Pretty Amazing” Today we are back in the saddle! Knowing it was a relatively short day and check in wasn’t until 3, we enjoyed …
Thursday, June 26, 2025Day 26 Pahaska Tepee Resort, WY to Worland, WY Miles:Elevation:Time: Total miles: 1,010.71Total Elevation: 44,534Total Time: 103 hours 1 minute It’s a new day! It’s a new adventure! The final day of having the Uhaul truck took us along highway 16 along most scenic mountain and valleys. Traveling through tunnels in the …
Tuesday, June 24, 2025Day 24 West Yellowstone, MT to Grant’s Village inside Yellowstone, WY Miles:Elevation:Time: Total miles: 1,010.71Total Elevation: 44,534Total Time: 103 hours 1 minute Today’s events have forever changed our lives. Continuing our journey in the Uhaul truck we secured on Saturday in Dillon, MT, we are grateful to the sage advice of Larry …
Monday, June 23, 2025Day 23West Yellowstone, MT Miles:Elevation:Time: Total miles: 1,010.71Total Elevation: 44,534Total Time: 103 hours 1 minute It’s 1:30 am. We are snug in our KOA log cabin and I awaken with the most weird feeling. Almost panicked, I sit up and take a deep breath. As my mental awareness increases, I remember this. …
Sunday, June 22, 2025Day 22 Ennis, MT to West Yellowstone, MT Miles:Elevation:Time: Total miles: 1,010.71Total Elevation: 44,534Total Time: 103 hours 1 minute Awakening to rain and wind, we are immensely grateful for the Uhaul truck. Loading our belongings, we grabbed breakfast for resuming our journey.Shortly after leaving Ennis, snow could be on the nearby hills …
Thursday, June 19, 2025Day 19Darby, MT to Wisdom, MT Miles: 58.07Elevation: 3,527Time: 7 hours 1 minute Total miles: 943.12Total Elevation: 41,972Total Time: 96 hours 40 minutes As we departed Darby, two black billed Magpies were chasing a squirrel.We had 2 passes to climb today so we enjoyed the lead out. At times, the shoulder was …
Wednesday, June 18, 2025Day 18Missoula, MT to Darby, MT Miles: 66.84Elevation: 1,332Time: 6 hours 2 minutes Total miles: 885.05Total Elevation: 38,445Total Time: 89 hours 39 minutes Feels like home! Leaving under clear and sunny skies, we enjoyed riding the same roads we traveled in 2023. It’s incredible how the mind remembers so much-like rewinding a …
Tuesday, June 17, 2025Day 17 Paradise, MT to Missoula, MT Miles: 65.75Elevation: 2,293Time: 6 hours 18 mo Total miles: 818.21Total Elevation: 37,113Total Time: 83 hours 37 minutes Sweet dreams!Yeah. Maybe not.While much of touring is filled with sunshine and butterflies, sometimes a tired body processes differently.Last night, we settled into a beautiful resort-Piece of Paradise- …
Sunday, June 15, 2025Day 15Clark Fork, ID to Thompson Falls, MT Miles: 62.1Elevation: 2,149Time: 5 hrs 41 minutes Total miles: 715.2Total Elevation: 33,836Total Time: 73 hrs 55 minutes Be easy on yourself, and life will be hard.Be hard on yourself, and life will be easy. Happy Father’s Day! I spent much of the day thinking …
Saturday, June 14, 2025Day 14Priest WA to Clark Fork, WA Miles: 50.8Elevation: 1,109Time: 4 hrs 10 minutes Total miles: 653.1Total Elevation: 31,687Total Time: 68 hrs 14 minutes Cattails and lily pads! Today’s ride is quite arguably the most beautiful in my lifetime. The sun was shining amidst white fluffy clouds. We had occasional side winds …
Friday, June 13, 2025Day 13Gillette Lake, WA TO Priest River, ID Miles: 70.22Elevation: 1,677Time: 6 hrs 03 minutes Total miles: 602.30Total Elevation: 30,578Total Time: 64 hrs 04 minutes Falling asleep to the sound of a fire crackling…the scent reminiscent of campfires past and the deep, intoxicating warmth it lends, our night’s rest was deep and …
Thursday, June 12, 2025Day 12Kettle Falls, WA to Gillette Lake, WA Miles: 34.58Elevation: 2,241Time: 3 hrs 58 minutes Total miles: 532.08Total Elevation: 28,901Total Time: 58 hrs 59 minutes Today is sort of a day off-shorter distance and less climbing.Breakfast was in our room made by the microwave from items purchased last night. Greek yogurt is …
Tuesday June 10, 2025Day 10Omak, WA to Republic, WA Miles: 62.66Elevation: 4,262Time: 7 hrs 23 minutes Total miles: 450.79Total Elevation: 22,871Total Time: 49 hrs 38 minutes Run, piggy, run!! Today is another day of climbing with the start into a head wind. Our bodies have settled in and now realize each day we ride. The …
We headed out with a bang this past week, it’s been awesome and challenging. Eight days, countless climbs, and one incredible journey begins. The numbers tell part of the story: 392.10 miles covered, 18,609 feet climbed 41 hours and 4 minutes in the saddle across eight unforgettable days. More to follow, today… Sherman Pass on …
Monday, June 9, 2025Day 9Winthrop,WA To Omak, WA Miles: 45.07Elevation: 3,009Time: 4 hrs 51minutes Total miles: 388.13Total Elevation: 18,609Total Time: 42 hrs 15 minutes Loop Loup Baby! Arriving in Winthrop yesterday afternoon were two hot, sweaty, hungry cyclists. A quick shower and short walk to the local pizza place, we sat and absolutely chilled. We’d …
Sunday, June 8, 2025 Day 8Colonial Creek Campground, WA to Winthrop, WA Miles: 64.53Elevation: 4,951Time: 7 hrs 55 minutes Total miles: 343.06Total Elevation: 15,600Total Time: 37 hrs 24 minutes The Day. This is the day that frightened me such I worked hard to lose weight so I could climb the hill. This was my elephant. …
Day 7Concrete, WA to Colonial Creek Campground, WA Miles: 48.76Elevation: 2,349Time: 4 hrs 38 minutes Total miles: 278.53Total Elevation: 10,649Total Time: 29 hrs 29 minutes Sleeping with a stream nearby is so soothing. We are at the edge of camp and enjoyed a peaceful night’s sleep. Our morning began with coffee at the BirdsView. April, …
Friday, June 6, 2025Day 6Fildalgo Bay, WA to Concrete, WA Miles: 42.47Elevation: 676Time: 4 hrs 31minutes Total miles: 229.77Total Elevation: 8,300Total Time: 24 hrs 51 minutes There’s nothing like a dandelion ready to burst! When we woke up this morning, there was stuff everywhere, as if our belongings were fluffs ready to float off in …
Thursday, June 5, 2025Day fiveFort Worden, Washington to Fidalgo Bay, WA Miles: 51.32Elevation: 2,316Time: 5 hrs 35 minutes Total miles: 187.3Total Elevation: 7,624Total Time: 20 hrs 20 minutes Sometimes when things don’t go as planned. Last night at camp, we had the most wonderful time sitting by the fire. It bought back memories of my …
WednesdayJune 4, 2025Day 4 Miles: 34.07Elevation: 1,699Time: 3 hrs 46 minutes Total miles: 135.98Total Elevation: 5,308Total Time: 14hrs 45minutes “Maggie, let me in! Maggie!” She exclaimed. Our neighbor at the hotel arrived late in the night, making sure her car was securely locked. “Beep. Beep”. Heavy foot steps and several trips. It was 3 am …
Tuesday, June 3, 2025Day 3 Miles: 48.78Elevation: 1,581Time: 5 hrs 5 minutes Total miles: 101.91Total Elevation: 3,609Total Time: 10 hrs 59 minutes How did Tuesday get here so fast?! And now it’s after 8!! Our morning started with hot coffee and a great conversation with our server Shannon. Such a beautiful person with a roadrunner …
June 2, 2025Day 2 Okay. Ride with me on this one! Yesterday, we rode the Mary Clark Road to get to the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT). We laughed remembering Maryhill Winery during our 2023 tour where we took refuge while the road was closed due to a fire. It was the last safe place to …
Sunday, June 1, 2025Day 1 Miles: 53.14Elevation: 2,028Time: 5 hrs 54 minutes Total miles: 53.14Total Elevation: 2,028Total Time: 5 hrs 54 minutes Jitters! Excitement! Charting the unknown. Today has been a long anticipated day for us. While we feel a little less uncertainty having ridden the 2023 tour, there are still so many special moments …
Dianna’s post This is a day I’ll always remember! One filled with tears. 💕💕💕 It started by learning that dear Rex Burtt’s CT scans are clear of lymphoma. The bravery of this beautiful 4 year old boy, his mom Lisa Burtt, dad and his amazing family is truly a testament to the power of prayer. …
While preparing for our 2023 tour, Drew taught me skills from his years of backpacking. When you have to carry everything you need, weight matters. And you’d be surprised what things weigh! That, coupled with years of cycling, watching cyclists spend thousands of dollars to save grams, I knew weight mattered. But I’m just a …
I will forever remember being three years old and riding my red bicycle. It was a hand-me-down…a well-trained bike that my older brother and sister taught. Back in the day when there weren’t ‘striders’ but training wheels…when you rode on three wheels: the front, the back and left training wheel or the front, back and …
Last tour, while riding one of the most beautiful paths, bathed in the beauty of the snow-capped Tetons, we came to a parking lot where a van, equipped with a bike rack and touring information on the side, was parked. We suspected Drew’s rear tire may be a little low on pressure so decided to stop and ask if we could borrow a floor pump to top off. Drew and the tour coordinator got immersed in conversation and I saw beautiful flowers nearby. Like a moth drawn to a light, I left the two to their business and headed to take photos.
April 4, 2025 Can you see us? Two bicycles pedaling steadily, hearts beating strong, breaths measured. And can you see them? You see, when riding, while it may appear we are just two…we are many. We are the many who have ridden this stretch before us and those who come after. “Remember the two cyclist …
Welcome to the Roadrunner Tour 2025! Our three-month tour across the United States of America embarks June 1 from Rialto Beach, WA to Bar Harbor, ME. We will be traveling approximately 4,900 miles on Salsa Warbird gravel bicycles, self-supported.
Landing in Ontario, our dear friend Gary Dittmar picks us up. It’s so good to see him and lots of chatter fly’s during our trip home. It’s nearly 1:30 am before we’re able to settle for the night. What just happened? Did we really just cross the US on bikes? It all seems so surreal.
As the evening came to a close, we returned to our hotel to prepared for our flight home on Friday. A storm was expected and we are hopeful we don’t have delays. As sleep crept in, thoughts and memories danced in our heads. We had just traveled across the United States, over 4,000 miles on bicycles. The thought is overwhelming at times. 💕💕
We check in at the KOA and head for downtown Bar Harbor. What fun! As with most tourist destinations, there are lots of shops fill with souvenirs. We have fun reading the towels and shirts with clever sayings and the people watching is over the top!! We catch dinner at the Dog and Pony where Gail, a local, shares lots of insight into the area. And yes. I had fish and chips again!! Drew’s lobster Mac and cheese had huge chunks of lobster meat. It was a meal fit for a king! We’ll come back tomorrow morning to do a little more exploring and have breakfast at Jordan’s.
The Atlantic is coming! The Atlantic is coming!! It’s so hard to believe, at this stage of my life, that I’ve never bathed my feet in the Atlantic Ocean!!
Throughout the tour, a recurring theme is the unusual weather patterns. Excessive rain has caused lots of mosquitoes. Everyone comments how different and bizarre the weather has been. Constantly weighing and measuring risks versus rewards…do we travel north or south? Getting to Bar Harbor is important but safety is the top priority. After much discussion, we come up with Plan B.
Back on the road, we passed an apple tree loaded with little green apples. It was so whimsical and fun to look at. We got to Rochester in a few more hours. While we logged over 60 miles, we climbed less than 400 feet. A really chilled day!! The skies remained clear throughout the day making it an absolutely perfect day on the bike!
A short ride this morning under beautiful, clear skies and temps between 60-70 degrees and we were in Niagara Falls State Park. The falls are breathtaking!
The crisp, fresh air is so invigorating. The sky is painted with clouds. The day begins with nice tailwinds but as we turn towards the lake, side gusts nearly blow us over. The pace slows as we weave our way towards Niagara. The side winds turn to headwinds. Easier to stay upright but our travel is slow.
Past vineyards, watching ravens fly, partly cloudy skies and a lighthouse 200 years old. Mile after mile after another. The New York countryside is thick with trees, blossoming plants and lush grounds. I am thankful for being on a bike…to be able to experience this beautiful place.
Recount of the day coming soon.. Seems we might have missed posting to Facebook this day, could have been all the excitement of my brother and Ken’s surprise visit. We will dig into our brains and come up with the memories to fill in the gaps between the photos and videos snips.. Godfrey Run Farm- …
Once again, we’ve escaped the rain! It pored last night and now the morning sky is just beautiful!, soon We traveled through the home town of our friend Bill Green. Such a beautiful place! And before we knew it, we were at Lake Erie! It is so huge! It looks like the ocean!
The morning is cool…around 65 degrees. We think of our friends in other areas and how they are battling the heat. We are grateful for our riding conditions. Rain is expected today. We’ll see how bad it gets and adjust accordingly. We haven’t melted yet!!
The forecast for today is good and we ride several rail trails. Our plan is to get as many miles in a possible as storms are predicted tomorrow and later in the week. We were able to get out of Columbus before the town woke up.
While early August, it is staying dark until 7 AM and getting dark early. Our planning will have to take this into consideration so we travel when it’s light and we’re more visible. Coffee at the Starbucks on base began the morning. There we met Joshua who lived in Loma Linda at one time! It’s a small world. He had lots of questions about long distance cycling. He is an ultra marathon runner!!
The museum was spectacular!! Four huge hangers housed planes beginning when first invented to missiles, spacecraft and experimental aircraft. We walked for hours and it was certainly worth it
We are back in the corn/soybean fields and welcome it. The traffic is sparse and it’s relaxing to ride amongst the corps. We find ‘second coffee’ in Lapel, Indiana where we meet Donna and Angela. Fabulous cups of vanilla latte and we are ready to forage forward. Winding our way, we crossed a train track just before the train arrived. We’ve learned there still is a lot that is transported by rail. Next, the Cardinal Greenway Trail. Oh so beautiful!! The trail is very well maintained. We are now traveling on a great surface amongst trees. So nice!
So, what will we see today? After traveling over a beautiful old bridge, we went past a house where two cattle dogs came rushing towards us. Using the small marine horns stopped them. They are so loud and I think it left the dogs stunned. 3 vultures were ahead cleaning up a dead raccoon.
With a fog advisory, we headed to Love’s truck stop for coffee and breakfast. Miles and miles of crops and flat terrain had us feeling like we were in an endless corn maze. Everything was beginning to look the same. Road closed ahead. Detour. One after the other. Finally, at one I suggested we go to see why it was closed. Thankfully, it was a bridge, closed to cars but passable by bicycle.
A standing joke at RAGBRAI is that Iowa is flat, which it is not! But the parts of Illinois we are traveling through is!! Corn and soybeans. Soybeans and corn. Corn and soybeans. Soybeans and corn. Corn and soybeans. Soybeans and corn! You get the picture.
After breakfast in the hotel, we went into town. Pontiac is a neat old town. We had lunch at Delongs, enjoyed the museum and then headed over to the Pontiac Transportation Museum where we met Tim & Penny Dye. Tim gave us an insiders tour filled with interesting facts. We even got to go in the basement which housed even more memorabilia.
Our first stop was Tiskilwa where we found coffee at the gas station. The town was pristine…almost like a movie stage. We met Cecille Gerber who was raised there. She spent her years as a teacher in Chicago and now retired, has returned to Tiskilwa. She shared amazing history of the town.
We found the entrance to the Hennipen Canal Trail and hopped on. It was so relaxing to ride along the canal away from traffic. And, with just the two of us, so quite and peaceful. No “On your left!!”. We passed an area where there was red algae growing , saw people fishing from the edge and then the Lily Pads!! During certain sections, they were edge to edge of the water and in one place, nearly a mile stretch! The pad were huge-about 3 feet across. It was breathtaking!
We eased into the morning with breakfast at the hotel. The second cup of coffee, lingering just a bit longer…all special treats we’ve learned to enjoy on our rest day. While doing laundry, I encountered another rider staying in the hotel before returning home. This was his and his wife’s first RAGBRAI and sadly, he said their last. The heat and distances were too brutal. The final few days of RAGBRAI, several first timers were saying the same thing. One and done. It truly was the hardest we’ve ridden and we were fortunate to have been well trained and acclimated. I’m not sure how we would have felt had this one of the other years when we hadn’t had as much seat time.
The morning after. The promise of a new day…the morning light filters over the camp. The sun is rising. Our roommates are stirring…organizing gear, putting on kits, brushing teeth as if nothing happened the night before. Outside we see riders mounted and heading out. There is a light breeze but today is our last ride day. Okay. Let’s get going. We slept amazingly well last night, not only because of the miles covered over the past 6 days but because of the air conditioning. We prepare the duffles for pickup. But normally we leave them in the tent. Now, the tent is missing. Tents are in trees, the river and scattered everywhere. All the Kybos have blown over and one is in the river. Leaving our duffles at the recommended area, we head out. A Casey’s is just outside of camp so we stop in for breakfast and morning coffee. There we met Chuck from the USAF Cycling team and have a great conversation about RAGBRAI and the teams history.
Drew mentioned how still the air was. And indeed, not a whisper of a breeze. Looking to the sky, it was crystal clear behind us but dark clouds were forming in front of us. And then the sirens began. I remember that sound from 2014 when I was in Dallas visiting my sister. We were out on a morning run at 5:30 am and the sirens began. I asked “What are those for?” She told me they were tornado warning sirens. “What does that mean?” She replied ” Run faster!”. It was frightening.
Sadly, We are seeing more and more emergency vehicles. The sun is beating down. There is very little shade and no cloud cover. By midday, I decide to put the water bladder filled with ice into my string bag and on my back. I’m riding in zone 2-3 knowing that the byproduct of metabolism is water, CO2 and HEAT. And what better day than today to enjoy another tradition-Beekman’s ice cream!! Cold and lots of calories!
Woohoo!! A short day! Today was quite crowded. At RAGBRAI, you can sign up to ride all day or one or more days. We hear that the organization is trying to break a record for the most riders ever recorded. It does seem a little more crowded today. Our first stop, we met a young man who is riding a unicycle the entire route. Talk about an inspiration. You can see him on YouTube at WorldofUnicycles. We had fun riding through Polk City…named after my wonderful neighbors! Well, not really but they share the same last name! lol!! We finished riding just after 1 and searched for camp. All the charters are located at Waterworks Park. OMG! People, people and more people!!
Today is a ride day, not a tour day. On ride days, the focus is different. While you see really cool things along the way, stopping for photos is not practical. The time to decelerate, get the phone, take the photo, get back going, especially in a large group where you have to strategically find a safe spot to stop and start…well…it’s just not very practical. Today will be Zachary’s longest ride yet. He’s doing amazing and is embracing the eat/drink regime.
The beauty of the sun rising over the water is breathtaking. A promise of a new day…a day to explore and experience…a day to meet new people and to feel alive!! Riders were up early and setting out to beat the heat. By 7 am, the Pork Belly Camp was nearly empty.
Sioux City to Storm Lake, Iowa Day One and you can feel the nervous tension in the air. New riders are uncertain about what to expect and return riders are excited for new experiences and memories! We were blessed with great weather. Off we went and the group flowed easily. After about 20 miles, things seemed to settle and everyone was in a groove. Drew and I are on cloud nine riding the bikes unloaded. They feel so fast now!! And being at around 1,100 foot elevation versus over 7,000 foot elevation, it’s so easy to breathe!!
Saturday, July 22, 2023Day 50Shuttle from Carter Lake to Sioux City, IowaAnd so it begins! Breakfast downstairs in the hotel. Fuel up. And enjoy an extra cup of coffee. Life won’t be like this over the next week!We chack out and say goodbye to the amazing staff at Best Western Carter Lake. They’ve made our stay …
The morning was spent cleaning and tuning bikes, sorting kits and preparing for our week ahead in the corn. Zachary would arrive this afternoon around 3 and we’re so excited to share his first RAGBRAI with him. We walked to the airport hoping to both surprise and help Zachary with his gear. It was so great to see him walk up the concourse.
Each year I’ve traveled to Omaha, I’m told the zoo is one of the world’s best. Being a weekday, we decide to try it. Last Saturday, it was so crowded, we skipped it. We were happy to get tickets for half price since we are annual pass holders for the Living Desert. It was a beautiful day to spend outside, walking four hours to visit all the exhibits. Our favorite area was the rainforest where there were monkeys, birds and bats. The setting was awesome.
Tonight we see Chris Stapleton. I can’t remember the last time we stayed up late. We’re typically up at 5:30 am and asleep around 10 pm.
We decided to try the Spaghetti Works. Fresh salad bar and gluten free pasta available. And the cheesecake! Drew could only eat half so we got a to-go box. On the way home, we saw a billboard saying Chris Stapleton was playing tomorrow night. On a whim, we checked to see if any tickets were available at a reasonable price. The last concert we looked into was at the Acrisure Event center in Palm Desert. The tickets were really expensive. And to our surprise, we were able to get two seats. So excited. We love his voice and down to earth demeanor. Now that’s living life unScripted. What another amazing day!!
Carter Lake, Iowa Hail storm- check. Facebook inspiration-check. Pizza Bites-check. Bike nap- check. Care package from family- WOOHOO!!!!!!!
While driving to return the Uhaul this morning, we saw emergency vehicles on the opposite side of the road. There were about 4 bikes laying on the greenway and someone being loaded into the paramedic vehicle on a stretcher. We were reminded how fragile life is and how quickly things can change while on the bike. It doesn’t take much…a rock, an uneven surface, a wet painted line or a change of position in the cyclist in front of you to cause you to fall. You’re up. You’re down. And this feat of physics-speed, angle, weight- cares not who you are, how many miles you’ve ridden in your life or how expensive your bike is-it is just the law of physics.
Holy Moly!! With blackout curtains drawn, we woke up at 8:12 am! I can’t remember the last time I slept this late!! I have a belief that your body will determine the rest it needs. Perhaps we’ve become a little sleep deprived…a bit fatigued. Maybe that’s the root of Drew’s ‘allergies’.
Road trippin’ After a month and a half on bicycles, riding in a vehicle feels rather strange!! With over 2,000 miles ridden, we’ll cover over 400 miles today in the Uhaul. The mind continues to weigh pros and cons. During the night, we were awakened by the loud noise of hail crashing on the vehicles in the parking lot. And the light show!! Thank goodness we’re not in a tent. Thank goodness we will travel safely to Carter Lake today.
Rest day? Day off? Catch up day?? Off the bike day-that’s what this is. As we travel southeast, temps will be higher. Having ridden RAGBRAI before, staying cool and hydrated is important. And with the bikes, we can carry more than on a normal road bike. We embark on how to carry an ice chest or cooler of some sort. A postal bubble wrap envelope? A hot/cold grocery bag? Last year, we had a battery box that we used to protect fans we used in the tent. With the fans out, it became our ice chest after the ride. A trip to the local Safeway, we found the hot/cold bag but it wasn’t going to work. There, they had a 12 pack foldable ice chest. It zipped closed and fit perfectly in the trunk over the bike’s rear wheel. Success!!
It was a torrid night filled with bizarre lights flashing, swirling against the tent walls. Lightening flashes mixed with the lights from the trucks on the road…the sound of thunder pounding, jake brakes shuttering , tires on the tarmac, the stream nearby…brewed a fitful sleep. Listening to Drew’s breathing wrought with congestion. Light rain pinging. All a bit of sensory overload. Morning could not come soon enough. At the break of dawn, we were up and breaking camp with few words spoken. Our routine has become perfected. Coffee is 5 miles away. Into a headwind.
Up and out early, we decided to try riding without morning coffee and breakfast. We are still traveling above 5,000 foot elevation. Custer is just 10 miles away so we thought we’d try it. We made it!! Had a quick, delicious breakfast at Calamity Jane’s coffee Shop. While there, a bee is trapped inside and travels along the window searching for a way out. After 15 minutes, I lifted him onto the coffee cup lid and took him outside. There were several children in the coffee shop. How do you find out that your child is allergic to a bee sting? After their first sting and they have a reaction. I’d prefer not to experience that his morning.
Riding the trail presented some of its own unique challenges. On a bicycle, one needs to carefully pick a ‘line’-a course that is least likely to have debris and hazards. Avoiding deep ruts, crossing cattle guards and railroad tracks at 90 degree angles and watching for stickers that can puncture a tire is paramount. But this morning, there was a new hazard-multiple piles of cow pies! It was like an obstacle course! lol! Not before long, we came across a herd of cattle traveling along the trail. One cow-the matriarch-was traveling in the opposite direction bellowing at the others. A few responded with comments but for the most part, they and the babies continued forward.
Leaving our little cabin nestled in the woods was bittersweet. The trees smelled so good and were teeming with birds. The campground had a few baby goats and a donkey for the kids to pet. The goats thought everyone was there to feed them. They were adorable. Should we return to the Michelson Trail for our return or take the highway? The trail guarantees no grade greater than 4% but the road is a smoother surface with less rolling resistance. We chose the highway. Oh my! Within 1 hour 11 minutes, we had traveled 6 miles and climbed 1,304 feet! Now that’s a way to start the day!! It was fun to ride through the towns we saw yesterday from the trail.
The trail had a fair number of people riding. Since it is a rail trail, the grade never exceeded 4%. Flowers were blooming on both side of the path and oftentimes, we found ourselves riding through the forest. We met a lovely couple-Scott and Kristen- who are riding the trail as well. They shared they were relatively new to cycling. How exciting to see someone discover the magic of the bike!
Deep in the pedals, we continue on Hwy 85 turning on Hwy 18 not not before seeing the most amazing site ever!! So, we have begun a pattern of taking short breaks by turning into side streets and driveways since the roads we are traveling don’t have stop signs or traffic lights. It gives us a chance to get out of the saddle and relax a minute. Off in the distance, we see a pull out but there’s are vehicle there. Not terribly unusual but we are always watchful. As we get closer, the two people are waving. And I realize it’s Mark and Roxanne from home!!My legs are no longer tired and we pull up to wonderful hugs! They have traveled out of their way just to see us and say hello.
The food was really good- burger and fries/ chicken salad. The next two hours were spent doing the usual-phone calls, charging items, setting things up for the morning and then the alerts started coming over the phone. It’s 8:48 PM. TORNADO WARNING!! What?!! This is really foreign to me! Within minutes, it starts to rain. The sky is filled with thunder and lightening. The lightening is so frequent- every 2-3 seconds, it reminds of a kid playing with a light switch. And the downpour and heavy wind followed by hail. I have never seen anything like this!! We watch and try to capture as much footage as possible. This lasts about an hour. Then is all stops, as fast as it started. Wow! Just wow! We turn in for the evening, grateful for a room over our heads and a dry place to sleep.
Riding a bike is a lot like life: some days are harder than others. You just have to dig deep and keep moving forward.We are riding into the wind all day. Our progress will be slow with lots of energy expended. It is what it is.
Multitasking the day’s events, we also included a walk to downtown. Being a holiday, almost everything was closed. We did get lunch and a cup of coffee. Once back, we indulged in an afternoon nap. Sometimes you don’t realize how tired you are until you slow down. It was a little slice of heaven. Now late afternoon, we plan a low key evening, repacking the bikes and preparing for the morning. The weather is predicting headwinds tomorrow so it may be a tough day.
Today will be a light day so we can make lots of stops, photos and play more! We get to the North Platt river bridge and Drew launches the drone. Within seconds, the swallows from the nearby overpass go crazy and storm the drone. The flight lasts 90 seconds, bringing it down before an incident occurs. We can’t wait to share this with you on our YouTube channel.
We travel along several historic sites: Split Rock, Muddy Gap, the intersection of the California Trail/Oregon Trail/Pony Express/Morman Pioneer. Martins Cove. As we get closer to Alcova, we are riding along a huge ranch-Pathfinder Ranch. There are signs identifying the ranch about every mile. It went on forever. And along the way, on both sides of the raid was a type of brush blooming with yellow flowers that smelled sweet, like honeysuckle. What a joy to have a sweet smell to enjoy!
July 1, 2023 Saturday Day 29. Lander to Jeffrey City Miles: 59.84 – Total accent: 2,682Totals:. Miles-1,456.01Accent- 54,014 feet – climbed 126.50 hrs in the saddle Our day began by meeting Chuck and Cindy Kenyon at breakfast. Chuck taught IT at a community college, volunteered for the fire department and is the emergency management coordinator for …