RAGBRAI 2008 - Mishaps, Technical, and other difficulties

This Ragbrai I will put down as one with the most strange mishaps.
1. My SUV tire got shredded as Meghan was driving in the road and had to go and get Road side assistance
2. I had to take my Trek all carbon Fiber twice to get the gears shifting right. First I could not shift to the small ring and second time, I could not shift to the large ring
3. My spoke protector broke and had to get it removed.
4. My Garmin Colorado 400t fell off the bike twice while I was cruising at 21mph, had to quickly pull over and make sure no one ran it over.... that was dangerous. The second time it fell, I was doing about 24mph and it really hit hard that it broke off the wheel. I got nervous, because I could not get it started. I pop the wheel back in and put new batteries in and now it works. Wow, this little Garmin sure can take a hit. impressive.
5. Forgot my tent that Heidi was borrowing, left it on the ground.
6. Emergency brake line on my SUV is cut off
7. Feathers were ruffled with the Team... for some reason there were pend up hatred, jealousy or envy or just plain silliness that I was totally unaware of. If only there were better communication.
8. My subwoofer for my Mp3 just failed to function. So no jams on the road.

That is about it.

Other Moments of RAGBRAI

Here are some random pictures of Ragbrai 2008

My SUV Packed to the hilt. The configuration in the back was my Idea....

Riders on the rode

More riders

Jon and me, just chilling

Ragbrai Day 7 - Saturday

Day 7

Today is a fast and short day, only 52.7 miles. Brian, Rick and I rode all the way together, barely stopping at each town, mostly to eat, rest for 10 minutes and relax. It was a perfect day, nice and flat with tail wind. I had a good bursts of energy. Going up some hill at times at 21 mph. My top speed on flat was about 34mph. Felt good. We got to the Mississippi around noon. I was already starving. Took pictures, then went looking for my annual Ragbrai shirt and pin and had to get some food in me, before I collapse. While Brian and Rick did their ceremonial dipping of the tires in the river.
Got back to the welcome center and found out there were no showers available so most of the guys had the same thought I had and that was to take wash down in the bathroom. Waited for Terry to come in and then we left. Getting home was tiring but I did it. With my knee and everything, I felt like I had a good ride. Lots of strange and adventurous things happened, but I take it as a learning experience.

Walking around town

Aproaching Leclaire the last town
Danny and The bothers (Brian and Greg)
Brian, Danny and Rick at the River

Danny and Brian having a beer

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Ragbrai Day 6 - Friday

Day 6

Today, Friday is a 64 mile day. I talked to my Ragbrai Friend Julie and her brother David, who I met back in 2000 and we have been getting together ever since each year. They are the first to roller blade across Iowa. Great people. Since they are self sustainers, I promised them that I can hook them up near my campsite with OOS. The ride went well. Today, I rode on my own the whole day, which was a good thing. I had an emotional day, and a slight breakdown, but I will not get into that. But, lets just say, I did a lot of emotional, mentally and spiritual purging. What I have been doing a lot while I am riding is just meditating what I want to do. Cycling can be very therapeutic. You are in constant motion and rhythm and the whole experience just become so primal. You are outdoors all the time and all you have to worry about is Food, water, shelter and peddling. Nothing else matters at this point.
The only point of the trip was from Morley to Mechanicisville, where I was just getting drained from energy and could not get to my Energy spot that I knew about and have an XS and Perfect water.

Me cycling
Miller Lite Judy and Danny
Waiting for the Train to pass by
Danny and Brian Morse
My Ragbrai buddies from 2000, Julie and David

Ragbrai Picture Gallery updates at
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Ragbrai Day 5 - Thursday

Day 5

Today is a 76 mile day but woke up with some drizzle. I always hate packing up my tent wet. There was a chill in the air, so I had to wear my rain jacket. Cloudy all day long, so in a way that was good. I had a good energy constant level of energy all the way through. My knee was also functioning well. Having the knee wrapped up, I know I am going to have a strange tan line. Rode with Brian and Rick must of the day. I did bump into a friend from Lake Tahoe that I train wtih Alain. It was good to see her.
Tonight is steak and Martini night, but since I could not get a hold of Ron for dinner the other night we were going to try to hook up tonight. In the end that did not work, so Danny Garza and I went to an Italian restuaurant. The wait was about an hour long, but that is excepted on RAGBRAI anyway. So, while I was waiting I logged into my laptop in my car and made some updates.
Overall a good day

Danny and Alane

Soggy Thursday

Wet Thursday

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The Big hair cut day.

What have I done, only on Ragbrai, what do i do, when 2 hot girls tell you, you would look great and not if you shaved your head and keep the soul and chin patch, which I love to call the love buttons.

Before

No they were not drunk either

Ragbrai Day 4 - Wednesday

Day 4

Today, for about 21 miles I rode with Maree and Stacy from Denver. What wonderful ladies they were, great personalities and in awesome shape. I then headed out ahead to catch up with Danny Garza and see how he is doing and he did not look like he was doing well. His bike just does not fit to well on him. So we stopped to fix his seat better. I asked him to draft me, but he could not do it. So I went up ahead and rode on. It was a tough day for me, I just could not get enough energy going. It was a 76 mile day and the head winds were a bit strong. At one point I regain energy and forged ahead until I could get to the last down.

When I got into camp, went to set up my tent and set up Danny Garza’s tent and took off for a shower. Came back, tried to get a hold of Ron for dinner and could not. So Brian and Rick were going to down town for dinner and I was going to got with them, but decided to go with Maree, Stacy and Drew. We rode into town and found a pizza joint for dinner. We started to talk about a make over for me.

Only on Ragbrai, would 2 beautiful women have me shave my head and yes, that is what happened. Maree said I have an interesting man and I would be hot to do. So we went back to camp, set up a place near my car and started to shave my head. Before I knew it I had an audience watching the action. Picture being taken and had drew video taping. Unbelievable, I still have to get used to the idea of being hairless, but I guess we will see.

Stacy, Danny, Maree

Stacy, Maree

Ragbrai Picture Gallery updates at
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Ragbrai Day 3 - Tuesday

Day 3

Today was a 56 miles and was a great day. Rode with Brian and Rick the whole day. It was so far the best day so far. We drafted in rotation by 3’s and made good time. We made some stops at some towns and had good energy levels. Made it to the last town by 1:30pm into camp. I drove Brian and Rick to their hotel that they had reserved and took a shower. Jon also came with us to take a shower. During Ragbrai that is a huge treat. Drove back to camp and had to drive Danny Garza to the hotel room for a shower and then to the sprint store to get a new phone. I also drove another person to get his luggage from camp and back to the hotel room for him. Later Danny Garza had dinner at the Mexican restaurant.

Brian and Rick

Danny and Brian

My reflection on Brian's Glass' Cool

Ragbrai Picture Gallery updates at
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Ragbrai Day 2 - Monday

Day 2

Today was a long day, 82 miles. It was interesting day for me. Felt good, no pain on the knee, energy level was up and down. Ate a lot of crap. Ae a banana in the morning, then 3 peanut butter cookie, later 2 hard boiled eggs and then later at Coon town, ate a brat. That was a good town. They had it very organized , a lot of food and entertainment. At Coon town, met up with the brothers I know for a couple of RAGBRAI, Brian, Greg and their neighbor who happens to know Terry, one of the Darryles.
Got into town, a storm was pending, so it was a rush to get the tent up. At this point, I felt a bit fatigued and had to go for dinner, luckily it was just next to town. At the worst noodle and meat with green beans and Cole slaw. The pie was good.
Now I am just chilling out here at the camp. Going to turn in early tonight

Me at one of the towns

Having fun tripping over a road kill in Coon Rapid
Hills

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Saturday Ragbrai - Part 2

The story goes on

Ok, the day went on as follows. Heidi, the Massage therapist finally came over with the keys. We drove to the gas station to make sure I have enough air on the spare. Then I continue to follow her until she decided to turn into Shelby for breakfast. Heidi then had this idea, since it is along the route why don’t I just hop in and ride to the last town. I then asked her, well, what do I do about my truck, she said oh don’t worry about it, someone can drive you back or you can bike back. From Shelby it was only 15 miles. So, I ate breakfast with her then changed back to my biking cloths and went on my way. Had a good bike ride. My knees felt good and had no pain whatsoever. However, I am still limping and hurts a bit when I walk. When I got back into town, there was no one available to give me a ride. So, I went and bike back to Shelby, but this time it was harder, due to riding directly towards the sun. It just burned me up. When I got to a little town called Tennat, I was able to hitch a ride from him to the shell station where I left my SUV. Drove back, took a shower, went out with my good friend from High school and his friend Rick for dinner. So over all I ended up doing about 28 miles. Not bad.

Ragbrai Day 1 - Sunday

Day 1Tire shredded at 4:45am

Close up of Tire

Well so far things are not looking good for me on this Ragbrai. Yesterday Saturday, I got on my bike and rode a total of 9 miles on my knee and fell great and strong. I got up some steep hills without any issue. The knee feels stiffer when I am walking but better when i am on my bike, so I felt confident that I can ride Sunday.
Woke up Sunday, ready to go, when someone told me that my 4x4 was off the exit ramp with a shredded tire. Now, this is what happened. I allowed Tim to use my 4x4 at 4:15 am to use by Megan to put up the OOS sign for our riders so when they come in they will know where to go to camp. Unfortunately about 8 miles out, my driver side back tire got shredded. Luckily I call my insurance, Progressive, which I have roadside assistance, were able to come quickly and get the spare tires on from underneath my car. I had no idea the way to unload the spare tire from underneath the car. It is very, very different.
Now here is the great part of the story, when I got to the car, I realized that I had no keys. The Meghan who left my SUV in a hurry to put up the signs had my keys and my spare keys I put it in the luggage inside one of the darryles trailer. Ugh, how could it get worse. So now here I am waiting for my massage therapist, to come back with my keys in a car to give me my keys so I can drive to the last town.
Forget about riding now. I lost interest today, frustration and aggravation is kicking in.
As of now 10:03am I am sitting near Exit 72 loveland in Missouri Valley, Iowa. I changed back to my street cloth and type on my blog with my air card.
I can't wait to get back to town and just relax and unwind all this frustration and aggravation I have.
More to come later on

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One step back 2 step forward - Knee

Just thought I would provide an anatomy of the knee.
Well, I over did it yesterday to the point where I was in so much pain that I could barely have a full breath. I could not wait to get home. It was giving me such a shortness of breath from the pain. I feel like all my healing went down the drain. Back to square one. I was even bleeding a bit.
I got home, medicated it, took my drugs, ate dinner and went to sleep. I woke up this morning and just like magic, I feel 200% better. Nice healing going on and no pain at all. I am more confident today.
In the office, I took of the wrap, have my leg up and a fan blowing it to let it air out. Feeling good.
See you

Another day with the Knee

Well, I am having another frustrating day with the knee. Can barely move it for peddling. I have 5 full days to heal until I take my first ride on Sunday which will be 58 miles.
I can't imagine, being this inactive for this long stretch of time.

This is who I am. I realized that Physical and emotional healing HURTS!!!

that is it for today

Update on Knee Injury

Ok here are some update, went to the Doctor today and she took a tissue sample to make sure there are no bugs, whatever that means. It looks like it is healing but not as fast as she thought. I am taking anti inflammatory drugs and she thought I was also taking Anti-biotic, but I was not, so she prescribe me some to take 500mg 4 times for 5 days called Cephalexin.
When I ask if I will be able to ride on July 20th, she has this expression as not sure what to tell me, but she then said she thinks I will be ok, but to take it easy.
I am suppose to see her again for a special appointment on Friday the 18th at 9:30am, just for me. Since I am leaving that day.

That is for now.

Danny

Leclaire Block Party 2008

This Saturday I went to a block party on Leclaire, invited by Natalie. It was great fun. Great block, everyone was super nice. My only issue was towards the end my knee started to really irrated me.

Today, I have more hope and can actually bend my knee even more. One week from now I will be rideing across Iowa. Not sure how I will do it. Natalie's front Yard
Natalie preparing food
Lorena with a cute Pug

Lake Tahoe Hike Video

Ok, I just updated the video to a higher quality so it should be better I hope. It is a music video I edit on my hike in Lake Tahoe.... Enjoy

WARNING:Update on the injury

Well here is picture as of today 7/10/2008. Still frustrated that I can't bend my knee too much. Today I decided that I a going to let some air on it and not wrap it up for the night. It doesnt sting as much, but I hope I can bend it by July 20th. It is still raw, but I think I am on my way to heal

Call me stubborn

Yes, ok, Call me stubborn.., but I went on my building where I work to do a very light workout.
My shoulder feels fine. Did some of the therapy movement the doctor suggested and then moved on to do biceps. But very light. I could not do triceps because it hurt my shoulder. Although I did push ups and it did not feel any pain on my shoulder at all. Did 3 sets of 25 push up. I took it light.
I went on to do abs and sit up and felt good.
As I look down on my knee and leg, I noticed that it is very bruised up down to my shin and a bit swollen, which I did not notice before....hmmmmmm. I better be ready for RAGBRAI on the 20th
That is it for now

Update on my injury

Ok, I went to the doctor and she said it is a pretty good gash, but since I am pretty healthy I should heal fast enough by the time I do RAGBRAI which I start riding on the 20th. I was concern about should and arm and I have now Rotary Cuff tendinitis. But putting a cold pack and in 3 days doing some therapy, I should be ok.

Today, My arm feels great, I have more movement then yesterday, so my confidence has been boosted up that my shoulder will get better.
My knee is still bleeding through the hole, in fact I only walked a block and my wrap fell down and I looked down and noticed that I was bleeding through my pants, not good. So I had to use the first aid kit and patch myself again. I hope this thing heal faster.
I am so bummed out that I can't do any workout, upper or lower body. I tried doing sit up, but then my shoulder started to hurt.
I just have to be patient
That is it for now

I & M Bike rate stats

Ok, here are the full stats, even thought I got injury mid was and only end up doing 20 miles.

Here is the exact location of my little flipped I did on the bike

The route via Satellite

The route on the map

Summary stats (note, i did not do a max of 69, that was the ambulance, my actual max was 34.9)

My Heart rate, normal