Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lucas to Chamberlain, South Dakota Sunday, July 18, 2021 D’oh. It didn’t rain at all last night, despite the 100% chance of severe thunderstorms, so I felt kind of foolish in this crazy hunting lodge, when I could’ve easily camped by the Missouri. Still, I didn’t think it was worth the risk, in tornado country.Continue reading “Zen and the art of talking to motorcyclists”

Pickstown to Lucas, South Dakota Saturday, July 17, 2021 Today was a day of symmetry. I left precisely three months ago, so the trip is exactly one forth over. I also happened to pass 4,000 miles on my odometer today. If I can maintain this pace, even with the days I “took a zero” orContinue reading “Four square”

Vermillion to Pickstown, South Dakota Friday, July 16, 2021 For those of you that don’t know, “D’oh!” is the exclamation Homer Simpson makes when he realizes he has just done something stupid. I had two D’oh! moments this morning. My right pedal had been squeaking, and this morning I saw that the bearings were loose.Continue reading “D’oh!”

Orange City, Iowa to Vermilion, South Dakota. Thursday, July 15, 2021 I can’t explain it. Maybe taking that zero day and getting some things sorted out was just what I needed. Whatever, I was able to leave before 8, and cover 64 miles by 3. This is more like it. A nice tailwind didn’t hurt.Continue reading “Finding the groove?”

Hawkeye Point to Orange City, Iowa Tuesday-Wednesday , July 13-14, 2021 OK, I’ve done my last touchstone in Iowa. Time to blow. My next destination is White Butte, highpoint of North Dakota, northwest of here. Rather than strike out on my own through the Dakota plains, I’ve elected to follow the Adventure Cycling Association LewisContinue reading “Blowing this popsicle stand”

Ingham Lake to Hawkeye point, Iowa Monday, July 12, 2021 Back in 1973, when Brian and I first started highpointing, there was only one guidebook available, just a pamphlet really: Highpoints of the States, by Frank Ashley. I still have my copy. He identified Rib Mountain as the highpoint of Wisconsin, Mount Curwood for Michigan,Continue reading “The once and future highpoint”

Clear Lake to Ingham Lake, Iowa Sunday , July 11, 2021 Hallelujah! The stars seemed to align on this Sunday morning, and indeed Mars and Venus were in conjunction above. I slept well, my caffeine withdrawal is largely done, and it was perfect weather today, with a fair wind and moderate temperatures. I was ableContinue reading “Longest day yet”

Mason City to Clear Lake, Iowa Saturday, July 10, 2021 Today turned out to be one of my wimpiest days ever, but at least I didn’t take another zero. Continued rain all day, with my head still cloudy from caffeine withdrawal, there was going to be a tailwind so I decided to go for it.Continue reading “The day the Music Man died”

Waverly to Mason City, Iowa. Thursday and Friday, July 8-9, 2021 Yup, I’m one of those Music Man freaks. Hard to explain, my ongoing fascination with a musical released 59 years ago, based on a Broadway play five years earlier, corny, dated, chauvinistic, glorifying a sleazeball con man. Every July my family would gather aroundContinue reading “Trouble in River City”

Oelwein to Waverly, Iowa Wednesday, July 7, 2021 Today was a sad day. My mother died 35 years ago today, of metastatic breast cancer, at the age of 58. Too young, and too soon to lose your mother. Funny to think that she was alive for less than half of my life. Martha Jane ReadingContinue reading “Mom and the rain”