Saturday, July 29, 2023
Day 57 – Coralville to Davenport, Iowa
Miles: 76.83 – Total accent: 2,047 – Hours: 5 hours, 39 minute
Totals:. Miles- 2,980.09 – Accent- – 98,239 feet climbed
225 hrs 52 minutes in the saddle
RAGBRAI 50
522.86 miles
16,928 elevation ascent
38 hrs 56 minutes ride time
The promise of a new day…the morning light filters over the camp. The sun is rising.
Our roommates are stirring…organizing gear, putting on kits, brushing teeth as if nothing happened the night before. Outside we see riders mounted and heading out. There is a light breeze but today is our last ride day. Okay. Let’s get going.
We slept amazingly well last night, not only because of the miles covered over the past 6 days but because of the air conditioning.
We prepare the duffles for pickup. But normally we leave them in the tent. Now, the tent is missing. Tents are in trees, the river and scattered everywhere. All the Kybos have blown over and one is in the river.
Leaving our duffles at the recommended area, we head out.
A Casey’s is just outside of camp so we stop in for breakfast and morning coffee. There we met Chuck from the USAF Cycling team and have a great conversation about RAGBRAI and the teams history.
And then, it’s time to log miles. The first 10 miles meanders through downtown and neighborhoods. As we travel through the rural, crop/field areas, it becomes foggy and much cooler-into the low 60s. Oh, so nice after long hot days!
I’m having fun assessing riders looking at their bike fit, position, cadence, equipment and physical condition. I find a tall man riding by himself. His equipment is a little older and he has a Brooks saddle I watch him carve his way through the crowd, always picking a good line. I jump on his wheel. He is an amazing pull, very smooth, shifting quietly, signaling hazards. An occasional glance over his shoulder means he’s aware I’m there. It was probably 5 miles before coming to the next town where we parted. Once again, cyclists have a language, a camaraderie that is so special. When we tease about riding with 20,000 of your new best friends, there’s some true to that. Friendships are kindled at RAGBRAI that extend far beyond the ride. It is truly special.
We’re having a fun day and doing more sightseeing while still being aware of the time. We will have to say goodbye to Zachary this afternoon so getting to the end, doing a tire dip, breaking down and packing the bike and catching the shuttle are still ahead.
As we approach Davenport, we get in the line for the tire dip with so many others. Zachary has completed his first RABGRAI…the longest and hardest one we’ve ridden and he did AMAZING!!!
After the dip, we head to Pork Camp. With his bike packed, all our gear back on the bikes (ugh), we say goodbye as he enters the shuttle for a ride back to Omaha. It has been a week filled with memories and we’ll miss riding with him in days to come.
Now, on to the hotel located across town. Tomorrow is a rest day and a chance to wash clothes soaked from last night’s storm.
There’s a small restaurant in the hotel so we have dinner there. It’s such a treat to have a fresh salad…not something available in camp. We chat about the week before turning in. It seems almost surreal. Thank goodness for photos. Proof it all really happened.
