Sioux Falls

I just arrived in Sioux Falls today after battling the wind for about 30 miles. Iowa went easily with the wind being behind me just about the entire way and the road I took being nearly all flat. My longest day was yesterday which I went 116 miles, and the two days before that were around 90, so Iowa took a total of about 3 days. It was a very fast trip and so far I'd say it's become my favorite state.

I met a group of bicycle riders who were training for the Iowa bike tour, RAGBRAI, which is a huge tour with thousands of people that goes across Iowa. They were preparing for their Sunday training ride through the Iowa hills and I just happened upon them as they were about to leave. The route I was taking was actually leading me north-east, somewhat away from South Dakota, and one of the members of the group invited me to go with them to the next town, where I could take a route which began there and went nearly straight north, leading me in the right direction.

So we rode the hills and I was given an incredible impression of the amount of variation Iowa has in its land. Hills and hills of terraced farmland stretched as far as I could see and it was really an incredible sight. Keeping pace with other people was an interesting change also. When you're alone, you don't really have any need to push yourself, but when there are other people you need to keep up and their presence gives enough encouragement to go beyond your normal relaxed rhythm. We reached the goal and stopped at a bar (bought me two beers!) and had some good conversation. Everyone was interested in the trip and I must have answered around a billion questions, but it was nice to talk with people and to have some time to listen to their conversations as well.

The route which they recommended I take after that was a scenic route called the Loess Hills something or other. The road was flat and easy riding and the wind giving me a friendly push forward.

There were hills and bluffs on my right side, and on my left there were seemingly endless stretches of farmland. It was beautiful. I love everything about Iowa. The people, the culture, the land; everything was just so friendly.

I'm kind of describing events in reverse chronological order, so day before that I was riding on the Wabash trail, a 60 mile bike trail from the border of Missouri to Counsil Bluffs, IA. It was a lot like the Katy trail, basically a thin dirt road with trees lining either side. At the gaps in the trees I have a nice peek at the land around me. It was more farmland, but very beautiful and interesting farmland.

At some point the wind shifted and a storm started building to my left and the clouds were becoming a deeper, darker navy blue. I stopped at a gap in the trail to take a picture and a guy was riding toward me, stopped to ask the usual questions and then I came to learn his name was Randy and he was the volunteer who rode the trail everyday, doing any necessary maintenance on it (clearing trees from the path, spraying weeds around the benches and rest areas), and we then rode together toward where he lived in Silver City. It started raining on us even though the clouds looked like they were actually behind us and the sun was shining, but after about ten minutes of this we got out of it and rode into Silver City. He made me an iced tea, let me take a shower, washed my clothes, invited me to his next door neighbor's high school graduation party for food, and then let me camp in his yard! More than I could ever have expected from one person!

Other than that I could go into all of the things that have happened, but this would become way too long, but I've met a lot of awesome people. Some school teachers bought me ice cream at the best ice cream shop in Missouri, uhh I had some good conversation with the guy who ran the bike shop in Jefferson City, MO...what else. I met a bunch of people on the Katy trail (mostly older people) who were into bike touring and had a few good conversations there. Right when I got into MO I went through an area that was hit by an almost hurricane like storm, uprooting trees and tearing apart buildings, roofs, and signs the week before I arrived. There's a lot more, but those are a few things which come to mind right now.

It takes waaaaaaaaaay too much time and frustrating effort to post pictures on here, so to see more look at my facebook or myspace. Most of you have them. If not, I'm really sorry, but I just don't have the patience. I'll be staying in Sioux Falls for a couple weeks, so don't expect another update too soon.