-
Sleepy Time…
I just had to share a fun picture of my sweet hubby and my dog, Maddux.
You might remember me blogging about a mega biking event, Ragbrai, a couple weeks back. Well, part of bike riding 400+ miles in five days is the recovery. Which means lots of naps (like above).
While Charlie and I are recovered from the bike ride, I think our dogs were recovering from us being gone so long. LOL. Must be hard on our four-legged friends while their masters are gone, huh?
So sweet. I just love their unconditional love, you know?
Dogs rule.
Do you have a pet? What kind? Do they get extra cuddly upon your return from a vacation?
-
The last day…
Boy, I was pretty worried about this last day. We were scheduled to do 84.8 miles from Marshalltown to Cedar Rapids, but let me tell you something. I was going on about four hours of sleep.
See, the night before, while we were tenting in Marshalltown, a mega storm hit. We had to abandon our tents to seek shelter due to a tornado watch. Talk about scary.
And that was after a wonderful day walking around Marshalltown, hitting the Purple Cherry. It was a really cool yogurt shop.But, despite the storms, few hours of sleep, we made it. Of course, a tail wind of about 15 MPH didn’t hurt!! LOL.
It was a nice break from the previous days head winds.
So, we rolled into Cedar Rapids relatively unscathed. 🙂
Welcome to CEDAR RAPIDS Charlie’s dad was there, waiting, so we packed up the car and took off back to Sioux Center.
But not before I snapped a shot of my odometer.
Check it out!
407 miles! And that 407 miles was done in FIVE days. I never thought I could have done that, but like I mentioned in an earlier post, you just never know what our capable of when pushed. And this bike ride did just that. Thanks to my sweet hubby for carrying me through. He is so strong. My rock.
And thanks to everyone who contributed to the Arizona Pain Train. We raised over $3,000 for cancer on this bike ride! You guys ROCK.
-
104 miles in one day…
Lake View to Webster City 104 miles 1657 feet of climb Day three of #Ragbrai was a tough one.
Not only did we face a 20 MPH headwind most of the way, we opted to do the 23-mile “extra” loop! Yes. I know you’re probably thinking, “What the he–?”
After mile 80-something I was thinking the same thing.
No, really, it was an awesome challenge. I learned something HUGE that day.
I can go on, even when I want to quit.
It’s amazing the strength you find deep down when you’re really challenged. Ever notice that? My thoughts went to Penny who was–at the very moment I was biking–lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to chemo drugs. She would have given anything to be experiencing the pain I was instead of her cancer pain.
Needed a burger and shake after 104 miles! So, the 104-mile day was for Penny. Those who are struggling with cancer have to keep fighting on. Facing their mountains every single day. I faced mountains and discomfort for five days over Ragbrai–that’s nothing compared to what cancer patients face.
~~~~~~
In other news:
We have a winner for the $50 gift card giveaway Emma was running on the blog while I was gone.
Krista J. McLaughlin–congrats, you won!
Email me within 72 hours to claim your prize: LynnRush (at) lynnrush (dot) com
***AND***
We have another giveaway starting today!!
-
Time to think…
Being on my bike for so many hours each day gave me a lot of time to think. My mind wandered to new stories waiting to be written. To stories already published and those coming out in the next twelve months….Ultimately, all my thoughts landed on two words: THANK YOU! To be published is a gift. An exciting, scary, and rewarding adventure–one I’m grateful to be on!
Day two of biking took us from Cherokee to Lake View. It was a 62-mile day with 2,173 feet of climb.Most people view Iowa as flat…it sooo isn’t.
You’d be surprised to see all the rolling hills. It makes for beautiful sights, but sure takes it out on the legs pumping up those hills.
I sure was hoping there was a lake to jump in at the end of the ride. The hot, humid air was relentless.
Much to my relief, there was a lake! And….we pretty much jumped right in! It was great.
We had a blast in Lake View…but what had me worried was the 104-mile ride for the next day! **YIKES**
-
Beyond Words
I returned home from Ragbrai on Saturday evening, and I’ve been trying to find a word to describe the entire experience.
I mean, I’m a writer, lover of words, but I couldn’t really come up with a good one. Sure, amazing, tiring, scary, unforgettable came to mind. Those are all fine and dandy.
But how do you put to words riding 407 miles in five days. I did the math…yes, I needed a calculator…81.4 miles per day.
I can’t even say that without shaking my head in disbelief.
So, I figured I’d take a little bit at a time and chat about the ride this week.
Arriving in Sioux Center was pretty emotional. It was my first time returning after my mother-in-law, Lynn’s, funeral. Lynn had such a significant impact on me and my writing, it stung a little. She would have LOVED this Ragbrai event.
But, her name was on my bike. There are a few names on there as you can see. Mary, Lynn, and Bob lost their battle with cancer over the past 12 months. That’s three deaths in twelve months. My heart breaks for the loved ones of those who have passed. It’s such a painful experience to watch one you love die from cancer. Sandy and Penny are fighting through chemo and radiation. And my dear friend, Josh, recently suffered a traumatic brain injury after being involved in a bike crash.
So, this ride was for you all!
The pain I suffered on that hilly 104-mile day was nothing compared to what you guys face. When I wanted to quit, I thought of you. Especially Penny. She was scheduled to be on this ride, not me. And when she was diagnosed, she transferred her registration to me. So, she’ll be getting that Ragbrai jersey and patch for sure!
We had a great welcome to Sioux Center and had a great time at the expo and pasta feed. The energy was high in anticipation of an early morning start. Day one was 54.4 miles from Sioux Center to Cherokee with 1,675 feet of climb.
Tomorrow…..62 miles and 2.173 feet of climb! 🙂
-
#Ragbrai Starts Today….
And so the ride starts….
Today’s the day Lynn starts her 350-mile bike ride across Iowa. They’re ending the ride in Cedar Rapids Iowa a bit shy of the entire ride because of time constraints with work, but still, 350 miles.
And camping….
Lynn doesn’t like camping. Now me, I don’t mind it. Probably because I don’t feel the elements, don’t need to eat or sleep or use the restrooms. Not to mention, I can see *super* well at night thanks to my violet eyes.
Lynn, not so much. But I’m sure she’ll do fine.
How ’bout you? Do you camp? What’s your favorite part of it? Least favorite?
