The end is near....

Well my summer is about over. I have go back to work next week, I will totally miss sleeping in and hanging out. Overall the summer was pretty darn nice. I liked to refer to it as my 'spontaneously planned' summer. Trying to be spontaneous while not totally smashing my comfort zone.

This was my 10th Ragbrai and I managed to do all 10 days (3 days bagging out). The ride out was amazingly fun! Had a great group of Toe Rings to ride with, laughed one day so much I had stomach cramps! I've come to enjoy the ride out more than Ragbrai. It's just not overwhelming, I enjoy the riding with only an implied destination. The miles just flew by!

One of the best nights was the ride from Pomeroy to Pocohantas, night riding, road stops capped off with an awesome dance off in Pochy! Then Ragbrai hit....it was fun seeing everyone, but the crush of people always throws me off. Managed to stay with the BOP (back of the pack) until Clear Lake when I lost my mind, helmet, wallet and cute skirt, in that order. Then slept in a small lake aka my tent. At that point I was ready to an extraction and go home. I sagged to Charles City for a ride home...failed. Was packed and ready to go home the next day....but then I saw everyone having fun and getting ready to ride so I decided to stay.

With the help of some good friends and borrowed tools I managed to keep riding. I spent two days with Team Diego (what a riot) they are fun and ride about my pace. It makes a big difference riding with people who are on your same fun wave length! Chardonnay Day II started as we left Cedar Falls. Note to self drink more Chardonnay on bike rides it makes for a much happier me!

Friday was a super fun drinking day....I ended up sagging into Manchester on the Team Duct Tape bus...things get blurry after that. Finally found the Lower Beaver bus around 4am and slept curled up on a bus seat. The next day I was none too excited about racing to the river. So I decided to sag...we stopped at the gas station on the way out of town and guess who I run into? Catt. I hadn't seen him all week. I happen to be wearing all my Quad Squad gear (fate?) so me being spontaneous I hoped off the bus and onto the Quad.

Admittedly I feared those hills especially riding the Quad. However with a great crew it was an amazing ride! For the first time I truly enjoyed the ride to the river. Our party train was such fun the Junction 21 bar asked us to stay over night..six miles from the end..really? After numerous stops on the flatter (ha) off route we finally made it to Dubuque about 1am. Then we partied like rock stars at the river til 5am. What a great way to end my 10th trek across the state!

Friday