August 6th -Sioux Centre to Algona - 185km

This morning we woke up to rain. Amazing that we got two thirds throught the tour getting up dry! Unexpected, and it caused some good chaos, as we needed to start extra early because of the 113 mile day. The gear truck was a sight to see, with bodies jam packed and squeezed in to pack away gear and to rescue stuff from the wet outside. I could only laugh at the consternation caused by the rain. Our big gearbags outside were quickly covered with a huge tarp. The lunch goodies were in the kitchen trailer with very restricted space, so that didn't work to have 140 bodies squeezing in there, so we as the sweep team quickly put up the waterproof canopies over the tables outside. We could eat a sponsored continental breakfast at the campus, but still had to pack our own lunch like every day. After cleaning up and loading the gear truck we sweeps set out at around 8:30am, prepared to spend a long day on the road, which happened as we came into camp at 6:30 and the last ones at 7:15pm tonight. Just in time for the group photo of us all in our yellow t-shirts.After peloton and small groups I managed to find the YMCA just before closing time for showering, after biking 4 blocks down to it. Nothing beats the refreshed feeling of a clean tired body!
We rode all morning in the rain, with light jackets on. But it was cool and crisp - a blessing compared to the intense heat we had last week. The miracle happened....we had a tail wind at last!!! This made for an easy ride, although long. The landscapes were gorgeous as yesterdays' with green healthy crop fields from horizon to horizon. We were treated to snacks twice today by churches...donuts, etc. Jim Holwerda got a pinch flat when riding over a rock accidentally. While I helped him fix it, a local farmer dropped by, wanting to know if we need help, and asking what this invasion of 140 cyclists in their quiet farm environment meant. I explained and had a happy chat with the kind man...a salt-of-the earth farmer. He was so impressed with the cause that he donated $20 to Sea to Sea. He owns a feedlot nearby and offered us a guided tour, but we were running low on time and had to decline. At noon the sun came out and it got quite warm. we again had great discussions on the bike about church, people skills, and how to really relate to God, and Jesus and the work and gifts of the Holy Spirit.All taht on a bike cruising through the gorgeous Iowa. The last 30km of the day we really motored at 40km/h.
Today was proof again that attitude supercedes aptitude, and that when the mind is strong and focused, the body can follow easier.
We are camping at a primary school. Tomorrow's ride is again 182km and the wind forecast predicts a side wind, which will make the effort required all that much more. But the tour is stilla blast and we are all enjoying the triumphs and the hurts. About half the cyclists never before attampted a distance of over a hundred miles...and today.....they did it!!! Even Gayle Harrison exceeded her best expectations! Congrats to you all!! We are proud of your commitment and tenacious endurance.