Friday, July 28,2023
Day 56 – Tama/Toledo to Coralville, Iowa
Miles: 84.17 – Total accent: 2,894 – Hours: 6 hours, 48 minute
Totals:. Miles- 2,903.26 – Accent- 96,192 feet climbed
220 hrs 13 minutes in the saddle
Last night was a tough night. The air mattress has a slow leak so some time into the night, we were sleeping on the ground. Along with long days on the bike, the joints are a little cranky.
It’s another hot day and the wind is blowing. Hydrate. Sun screen. Chapstick.
It is evident many riders were fatigued. A stop for ice. Fill the water bottles. Ice in the water bladder onto my back. Stay cool!
I notice all the water bottles on the side of the road, many new Polar double walled bottles. As a diversion, I start to pick them up along the way, if for no other reason than to pick up the plastic product. Within a few hours, I have six! So fun and it gave me a moment to be off the bike for a minute or two.
The slower pace put us in camp at 6:20…20 minutes after dinner started.
We dropped off the bikes and helmets at the tent and headed to the stadium on the other side of camp, just past the showers. After dinner, we decided to just take a quick shower before returning to the tent rather than walking back and forth. All clean, we returned, set up chairs, put ice in cups and poured a cold cider. We are 6 out of 7 days done. Tomorrow would be just 76 miles…just!!
Drew mentioned how still the air was. And indeed, not a whisper of a breeze. Looking to the sky, it was crystal clear behind us but dark clouds were forming in front of us.
And then the sirens began. I remember that sound from 2014 when I was in Dallas visiting my sister. We were out on a morning run at 5:30 am and the sirens began. I asked “What are those for?” She told me they were tornado warning sirens. “What does that mean?” She replied ” Run faster!”. It was frightening.
And just as it was then, it was happening now. Most everyone was still in the stadium eating or settling in for sleeping indoors. Camp was sparsely populated. And then someone came running to camp screaming “Take cover! Take cover!”. We laid the bikes down and grabbed our phones and passports. Just then, then wind began to sweep through the camp, like the dust devil that flipped the shelter in Tombstone last March. Zachary took off to the charge trailer where he left his phone and then on to the stadium. Knowing I couldn’t run that fast, I shouted to Drew “I’m going to the dorms” which was about 500 feet away. I can make that.
Oh the terror in the faces of many as they ran. It was devastating to see. Once inside, survival instinct activated. Is there water? How much glass and can we get away from it if needed? Watching for others taking refuge, we helped them. Zach called Drew to let us know he’d made it to the stadium. He would come to the dorm when there was a break in the storm. A few minutes later, he arrived at the dorm. Next, we noticed the adjacent room was a workout/weight room. After searching for an entrance, I convinced the occupants to let us in. Once in, about 10 of us took refuge for the night.
Now, how do I let everyone back home we’re okay. A quick Facebook post seemed the best and fastest way. A text to my sister and son were essential.
Thankfully, cell reception was uninterrupted.
We are in a good location- water, lights, air conditioning, flush toilets, carpet on the floors and extremely clean.
Checking the phone I see a message from Melissa Locher. She has seen my post and has family in the area. She reaches out to offer help. I am so very touched. And, so very grateful for the wonderful cycling community. Whether on the road or not, we support and help each other… something that might be hard to understand if you’re not a part of it. Thank you Melissa.
When the wind lessened, Drew and Zach retrieved the duffles and bikes. Normally, the sleeping bags and air mattresses would have already been out but because we came to camp a little later, everything was still securely stored. And the weight of the duffles kept the tents in place. With everything now in the workout room, we set up for the night. Since we’ve been traveling self-supported, we had everything we needed including food, the ability to cook… everything.
The young woman who let us in went to her dorm and came back with several pillows for us to use…to make things more comfortable for us. How incredibly kind. Thank you Lindsey Ginger.
We set up for the night, wondered what tomorrow would bring. Would we ride day 7? Only time would tell. But for now, we are safe. And we’ll go from there. Thankful, grateful and infinitely blessed.