“Everyone was warning us about Potter’s Hill, but they failed to mention the other five.” said Ann Bixler, born in Manchester, now living in Monterey, CA. But, we all made our goal – to the mighty Mississippi River! At the end of the day, the crowning jewel of RAGBRAI are the people of Iowa. The amazing amounts of great food every mile of the ride and the spectacular scenery.
Thank you IOWA – see you next year….Susie Sunglasses
Sleeping on a cattle farm, dry while it is pouring rain outside, I decided to eat breakfast and wait for the rain to stop. By noon, the sun peeked out and the wind roared in about 25 miles per hour – gusting headwinds for 25 out of the first 30 miles. And, the second half, as they say, was history. Arriving in Manchester, a town that one week ago experienced flooding from a broken dam, but that didn’t stop RAGBRAI!
Ankit Sood commented on Panki Sood’s photo:
“Susie your SZIOLS are the best in the world ! You should try it out in the high himalayas one day. Its absolutely great. Look even the kid wants them. I will regularly follow your blog now ! ”
Waterloo: Bill and Sally, our gracious and generous host and hostess –down on the 200+ year cattle farm. The gravel road spells ride for SG to get there. The morning after arriving here–there is water in Waterloo–thunder and lightning also! Gee—a 5-minute car ride to Manchester, or a 61-mile ride on racing tires, without fenders, naturally??? Stay tuned…
Charles City:
Started with a real BANG for my sherpa and photographer- aka car trouble. Upon exiting the freeway, KER-CHUNK and KA-CHING, KA-CHING (if this is another transmission problem). ”OH BLEEEEEEEP!” As good fortune would have it-Ebert Chrysler Jeep with Adam’s repair crew was right down the road to repair the $57 bolt on the brake system
AND “Lucky Dragon,” a fabulous family-owned Chinese restaurant, was there to comfort A.Kaye for lunch, dinner (with a great fortune cookie) and and 2 real nice bedrooms for sleeping and showering comfortably in Chuck City.
Lucky Dragon–Voted best Chinese food east of Sioux City! The owners, Bayu and Vivian, and their 3-month old son, Isa, served A. Kaye lunch (and dinner 2-hours later) and Susie’s favorite– shrimp egg foo young. Since A.Kaye spent so many hours there, we became family and stayed the night at their home!
Charles City: ”The way I see it…” the t-shirts and team mottos continue to make me laugh: Team “Tails UP” — with a skunk as their mascot–”we don’t need no stinkin logo.”
Here’s more examples of the humor with these pictures–Butt Paste, The Whiners (from Michigan mostly).
I only have 2-more days to find and photo “The Bad Boys” from Colorado, who literally ride with a 50-lb smoker on their bikes –and since someone said to them, “every thing but the kitchen sink…” they now travel with a kitchen sink!
Best mixed gender tandem story– A couple left Storm Lake at the usual time. The driver/husband thought to himself, “Wow, I cannot believe that my wife is not babbling yet–about anything. So, I told her a long joke that I heard on the golf course. Still no answer. After 5-miles, I suddenly looked back –AND, HOLY *%$#! She never got on the bike! I had to turn around –and the rest of the trip was not so silent.”
Heard on the street–The SAG wagon serves up bloody marys in Air-conditioned comfort. No wonder there are less riders today for the 81-mile ride…
Another day in biker’s paradise for Susie Sunglasses
Clear Lake–Surf Ballroom:
“You-betcha,” yes, I am on stage here, in more ways than one, however, being here where Buddy Holly played his last performance on Feb. 3, 1959 (when I was almost 1-yr-old) was a step back in well-preserved time at the Surf Ballroom, just outside of downtown Clear Lake. The pictures of those who have performed here are amazing.
The hostess house by the shore of Clear Lake: I finally found “Maxine,” LIVE and in person–a “Maxine-on-wheels” just in time for RAGBRAI! My Greek hostess with the mostest has the quickest, funniest sense of humor–especially when she would appropriately slice the schtick coming out of my sherpa’s (and photographer) mouth into pieces. She was so much fun that we stayed two nights instead of just one!
Shopping aka keeping the Clear Lake economy going:
“LYLA’S” www.lylasboutique.com–where I found “pedal power–” new biking clothes designed by Sheila Moon www.sheilamoon.com –complete with a necessary accessory of orange, silk gerber daisies to velcro to my bike shoes. Watch for all of us next year and teaming up for an empower-womens booth at the RAGBRAI expo 2011.
Quintessential “Main Street USA” just like the movie Pleasantville–only we are here, live enjoying every minute and every morsel. Best restaurant: “Sevens.”
Notice every member of the Clear Lake High School student council Sr. Class wearing SZIOLS orange wristbands–and now checking our website!
Susie Sunglasses Day 3 Algona to Clear Lake, IA.
Difficult to get internet connections – all the RAGBRAI folks are crowding the Iowa airwaves –
more to follow…
A few words from Susie’s personal photographer, A. KAYE, about the RAGBRAI experience…
It’s a moving feast of beer and pork, with some corn and fair food thrown in. Small towns are overwhelmed with bikers who swell the population x3. Better to eat food from the vendors ‘cause restaurants can’t keep up with the throngs.
As a driver as opposed to biker I don’t get the full RAGBRAI IA experience. My job is to find beds and get Susie fed. IA folks are most gracious and hospitable.
Every town is charming and quaint. Who knew there were so many lakes in IA?
Peace from Algona – that 70’s town!
Susie Sunglasses – Storm Lake to Algona – Day 2 of RAGBRAI – 81 miles
