RAGBRAI update, Day 2
Minus the hills. not a good sign when you see riders walking the very first hill, it tends to make for a long day. The hills not withstanding this was a perfect day with temperatures in the mid 80s a nice cloud cover to keep the heat and burning rays off the riders. Most riders got in early no dobt resting up for tomorrow.
Team Bad Boys gives new meaning to the term self-contained. They carry everything from a large grill to a full wet bar and sound system on their bikes. One Bad Boy had a power source rigged to his bike to power a digital light board that spelled out BAD BOYS 20 YEARS. When a passing rider asked one of the Bad Boys how much his rig weighed he responded that he didn’t know and furthermore didn’t want to know. Suffice to say that it was a lot.
Today route: Harlan to Jefferson (I used to live in Jefferson by the way)Mileage: 83 miles Climb: 5,239 feet
The ride into Jefferson will be a true test of cyclists' conditioning, with 5,600 feet to climb over 83 miles. The route resembles a pastrami sandwich: Imagine two pieces of bread, flat on either end, with mounds of meat in the middle. As riders approach Jefferson they'll see what looks like a grain silo on the horizon. It is not. It is a 162 foot bell tower. Anyone who's not too tired from the 14.5 mile Karras Century Loop can ascend the 18 flights of steps to the top. Me? I'll take the elevator.
Go NICK
Gool pic from yesterday, bicycle buit for four.
