Day 20 - July 6

I am back from my trip to Texas. I worked a little, spent the 4th with the family and missed supporting Matt and Gary. I found Bob feeling the same, it just goes too fast. Obviously Bob did a great job and Matt and Gary got a little spoiled. I heard a little talk about not eating a lot of turkey and when I said something about where things went they said a Bob recall was possible. That’s ok we will see Bob in a day or two and he assured me that we could get things back in shape.


They started day 20 with a target of just under 100 miles. The weather report had a chance of scattered so starting and staying ahead of the weather was a consideration. The ride started with a paved bike trail that took us into Des Monies near 73rd and freeway 235. Gary had written out the Starbucks drinks they favored and said Bob had supplied them as part of his support. I trust Bob’s leadership and work hard to coordinate the end of the trail and a Starbucks. I got real lucky and as you can see Matt has anticipation on his face as they approach me at the end of the trail. They were pleased.


The balance of the ride day to Fremont was normal with both peanut butter and banana and later turkey sandwiches. As you can see I really like the flowers. All of these were growing next to the road we traveled. They look a lot different at 70 mph and are hard to sniff at that velocity. Lets all ride bikes.



The ride day ended in Fremont Iowa. This is a small community that has a long history of 160 years. That is a lot of crops and a lot of service to the folks that benefit from this effort over the years. It is the fiber of America. Matt and Gary have ridden 15 century rides since the start. Of course a century is not just 100 miles it is a 100 mile ride in one stretch. I learned that a farm that has been in one family for 100 years or more is a century farm and I got to spend time with a family that continues that tradition today. Sue and Neil gave me a tour of their farm and it was a joy. The knowledge and technology that is employed to be successful is impressive. I learned that corn pollinates itself. And that each strand of silk is a conduit tube that pollen uses to travel in and start the process to create each kernel on the ear of corn; one silk tube for each kernel. I felt like I had taken a course in farm engineering 101. Neil and Sue sure know their business. I am awe struck at the detailed work hidden in every meal I eat. Farmers fuel us all.