Bicycles, Blueberries, and Baby Goats
RAGBRAI LIII Day Four
Iconic Iowa
Berry Patch Farm selling fresh-picked blueberries in Nevada, Iowa
Leonard and Catherine ate a “regular cup” of farm-fresh blueberries. They had to go back for a large. Thanks, Berry Patch Farm!
Merida’s Ride
Merida and Ron leaving the improvised camp in Boone, Iowa on July 22
The perfect weather conditions and fairly flat terrain on the route for Day 4 or RAGBRAI LIII was too enticing for Ron and Merida to miss. They rode the entire route, taking their time in each of the four towns they visited along the way. They tracked 73.41 miles in total, which included riding to camp and around town.
Merida and Ron enjoyed spectacular views of the Iowa countryside during the second half of their bike ride.
Once again, they joined pelotons and raced through the Iowa state roads and highways. They slowed to a crawl a few times for ambulances and injuries during the first hour of the ride. At one point, a cyclist collapsed onto the ground on his bicycle and injured himself in front of them. On Day 2, several people collapsed from heat stroke, and ambulances were lit with sirens much of the time. Day 4 was calmer, but RAGBRAI can be dangerous.
A petting zoo full of sleepy baby goats in Gilbert, Iowa was the highlight of the town.
And, Ron and Merida met the mayor!
They learned about the legend of Colo the dog. The dog that founded the town of Colo.
They heard the best heavy metal yet in Nevada while they watched belly dancers.
Merida and Ron reach the halfway point - Nevada, Iowa
And were shaken by the train that raced through State Center. Before the last town, Ron and Merida encountered a giant slip and slide on a hill. The farmhouse served alcoholic pickle juice shots, but they didn’t partake. But they did ride the slip and slide. Merida stepped onto it, fell on her butt, and had to push herself the rest of the way down. Ron swan dived onto the plastic sheet and made it all the way down, landing in a muddy puddle below.
But the best part of the day was the scenery. Clouds filled the sky all day, keeping the temperature cool, and making the green fields even more beautiful than usual.
Catherine’s Drive
Unexpected belly dancing in Nevada, Iowa
The drive from Boone to Nevada was on boring, ordinary highway. Arriving in Nevada, Iowa had unexpected rewards. Street dancers and musicians, berry farmers, farm equipment, and flags.
Catherine pushed herself out of her comfort zone, and talked to many strangers.
Unexpected rooftop rock band
The drive to Marshalltown was also uneventful. Catherine and Leonard, the support crew, were directed to a closed shopping mall that is either being demolished or remodeled. The lush green grass was nice while it lasted. We’re stuck in a boring parking lot for the night.
Pie Report
Catherine had no pie, but ate a lot of blueberries. Ron skipped pie, but had one of the best cinnamon rolls he’d ever tasted. It was huge!
Meetup Town - Nevada
Riders walking through Nevada, Iowa
Do not pronounce this like the state! It’s Ne-VAY-da.
Small Town of the Day - State Center, Iowa
The train passing surprisingly close to a rustic brick building in State Center, Iowa. Mature trees block much of the view of the train.
Merida visited four small towns on her ride today. It was difficult to choose a favorite, but trains helped her decide. State Center, Iowa, located near the geographical center of Iowa had shade, seats, giant wire spools for RAGBRAI patrons to use as bike stands, and a beautiful neighborhood full of happy families and picturesque architecture. But the best part was the train that rushed inches from the building downtown, shaking the ground, and silencing riders as it passed.
Tonight’s Camp
Haunted, abandoned, mall/construction site. Why, RAGBRAI? Why?
The main campground was full, so Catherine was routed to the auxiliary camp. An asphalt lot with large patches of gravel scars that looked like it had been stomped on by giants sat between a construction site, a busy road, and a patch of grass, littered with trash, framed by dangerous trees that looked like the perfect habitat for corn bears. Most tent campers, Merida and Ron included, opted to place their tents on the ancient asphalt rather than brave the filthy grass.
Today’s Favorite Entertainment
July 21 report: Hairball
As promised, here is an update for the Hairball concert in Boone, Iowa last night. We all realized we had never been big fans of the music covered by the band, although we recognized most of the songs. Merida remarked that Hairball sounded better than many of the original bands. They were skilled musicians, with a lead vocalist capable of sounding just like Journey’s Steve Perry. Strider did not like the loud music and pyrotechnic stage show. He especially disliked intoxicated humans sloppily wanting to touch him. We stayed for several songs, then hiked back to our camp down a long, dark street, fearful of encounters with night-roaming corn bears.
Weather Report
View of the State Center water tower surrounded by clouds on the gloriously beautiful day.
Cloudy and 75 degrees F. Perfect cycling weather!
Corn!
The owners of this cornfield knocked down stalks in preparation for riders who inevitably stop to water it.
As usual, fields of corn were a staple of the Iowa landscape. Waving stalks danced in the cooling breeze.
RAGBRAI LIII
Catherine and Leonard are crewing for Merida and Ron at the 53rd Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa! Our team name is “You may not rest now, there are monsters nearby.”
Meet Strider and Legolas in furson.
We’re bringing books and will be happy to sell and sign copies!
Sunday, July 19th - Saturday, July 25th
All day, every day! Check out the route here!
Be sure to subscribe to our Substack! It’s free!
Where to find us:
Catherine’s Website - https://catherinedilts.com/
Merida’s Website - https://merida-creates.com/
Subscribe to our individual Substack newsletters:
Catherine Dilts is the author of the Rose Creek Mystery series. Her short stories regularly appear in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine. Recently retired from a career in environmental compliance, Catherine now writes fiction full time.
Merida Bass almost wasn’t an artist. Fear of criticism resulted in her teaching remedial algebra to unwilling college students. After ten years of torture, she grew a backbone and threw herself into art, writing, and training for endurance events.
This post is public so feel free to meow it out to the rest of the world.