Team Flamingo Scarecrow Wins BIG!!!

Team Flamingo Scarecrow is #1

Our Team Flamingo Scarecrow won First Prize at the Cedar Valley Arboretum and Botanic Gardens Fall Festival!!! Out of 85 scarecrows, he was judged the best!!

Pinky, Team Flamingo's scarecrow, is spending a little time with Pam and Al Hays at the Arboretum. Pinky was one of scores of scarecrows that were entered and auctioned to raise funds for the Arboretum. It was a wonderful success.

It's wet out there

As I have said before, Monday was the steepest day for the whole week. Climbed 5000 ft. as if that was fun enough, it kind of sprinkled in the morning. The rain didn't really hit until we reached. The halfway point in Corning, We visited the home where Johnny Carson was born (see photo.)
For the last 37 miles we saw lots of hills and lots of rain. Whille hills are a challenge, we just need to "Granny-down" (drop to the lowest gear) and put one foot in front of another until we get to the top. This is a "life lesson" unto itself.
At the risk of being philosophical, RAGBRAI emphasizes many life lessons:
-- You need to prepare to succeed.
-- It is important to have a good support crew or system.
-- Pay attention to your tools/equipment. Everything is riding on it - literally.
-- Work with others to achieve your goals. Everyone helps everyone in RAGBRAI.
-- Your pathway to success may involve a pain in the butt but it's worth it.
Please add your own life lessons. They won't appear until I return to my computer after RAGBRAI but don't let that get in the way.

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

Day 1 Complete

Team Flamingo has completed Day 1. Great weather. While there were a number of hills, it wasn't too bad. We rode in two flocks today. I rode with the Michigan contingent from Tent City. We stayed there so we could watch the Bare Naked Ladies concert. The rest of the flock stayed a a house 9 mi. Out of town. We didn't see them all day.
We met up again at the Eubank's house. Great people and great house. Thank You!

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

Here we go. This photo was taken in front of a Subway sandwich shop in Jewell, IA. We tried to leave at 8:30 but due to a series of mishaps we have only made it to Johnston by 2:30. We r on our way to Council Bluffs an hope to get there by 5:00 we'll see..........

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

Expanded Description of RAGBRAI XXXVII

Ketch at GeoBike does a wonderful job of describing the upcoming RAGBRAI route:

Pie Owls of the Great Corn Desert

Welcome back fellow RAGBRAI riders!! As I see it, winter is in full retreat (at last!!!) and the cyclists are breaking out all over. We were blessed with a few summer-like days this past week and I was pleased to have encountered a number of fellow cyclists out on the road. Riding to Ogden, I noticed the ice on the Des Moines River was stacked up on the river bank fighting a loosing battle against the sun while a couple of Bald Eagles were soaring the skies. I also found time to sample some of the new trails in central Iowa. If you haven't been on it yet, the trail from Ankeny to Madrid is a dream to ride. I can't wait for the bridge between Madrid and Woodward to be completed.

Ahh - but the creme del la creme this season will be RAGBRAI XXXVII. T.J. and Wes are taking the ride across southern Iowa this year. We start our journey in Council Bluffs, end in Burlington, with overnights in Red Oak, Greenfield, Indianola, Chariton, Ottumwa, and Mt. Pleasant. This year we'll have about 445 miles to consider a lot of pie options. With over 23,000 feet of climb, we have an obligation to exercise a number of these without feeling guilty.... RAGBRAI XXXVII kind of does it all this year. It makes the Top 10 list in terms of climb AND difficulty - so saddle up now and start training. On the flip side, Day 7 into Burlington makes the Top 10 list for least climb AND easiest day. In addition, RAGBRAI adds a number of first time towns to the family: Williamson, Macksburg, East Peru, Truro, Oakley, Honey Creek Resort, Hedrick, Martinsburg, Pekin, Pleasant Plain, Germanville, Geode State Park, and Indianola as our overnight host on Day 3!

Day 1 is from Council Bluffs to Red Oak. The route takes us through Mineola, Henderson, and Emerson. The day starts with about 10 miles of flat running along the Loess Hills. After this warm up, the route turns east and starts hopping hills to Red Oak. All total, the day clocks in around 54 miles and a little over 3700 feet of climb.

Day 2 is from Red Oak to Greenfield. The route takes us through Stanton, Villisca, Nodaway, Dickeville, Corning, Prescott, Williamson, and Fontanelle. This day will get your attention as I'm showing almost 73 miles of riding and over 5000 feet of climb. Fortunately, there are plenty of through towns during the day and they're spaced about every 10 miles.

Day 3 is from Greenfield to Indianola. This will be our first time overnighting in Indianola! The route takes us through Orient, Macksburg, East Peru, Truro, St. Charles, St. Marys, Martensdale, and Prole. This day will also get your attention as I'm showing almost 78 miles of riding and over 4400 feet of climb. Like Day 2, the through towns are nicely spaced.

Day 4 is a a short ride to Chariton passing through Ackworth, Sandyville, Milo, Lacona, and Oakley. It will be only 45 miles of riding and ~2100 feet of climb.

Day 5 is from Chariton to Ottumwa and we return to some long miles. The route takes us through Millerton, Bethlehem, Confidence, Iconium, Honey Creek Resort, moravia, Unionville, and Blakesburg. We'll do about 77 miles and almost 3400 feet of climb.

Day 6 is from Ottumwa to Mt. Pleasant. The route takes us through Hedrick, Martinsburg, Pekin, Packwood, Pleasant Plain, Brighton, Germanville, and Lockridge. This will be the longest day at almost 78 miles and the climb is relaxed a bit to a little over 3000 feet.

Day 7 is from Mt. Pleasant to Burlington and takes us through New London, Lowell and Geode State Park. As I mentioned in above - easy day at 44 miles and 1175 feet of climb.

Hope to see you out training on the roads and trails, and on the RAGBRAI this summer. Keep your eyes open for the rare Pie Owl... Cheers everyone!

Ketch

2009 RAGBRAI route is announced

IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED!!!

Yes, the new RAGBRAI route has been announced. It will be along the southern third of Iowa. Beginning in Council Bluffs and ending in Burlington. I heard somewhere that the elevation included will be the 10th greatest over the past 37 years.

Unfortunately it is March 7 and still too cold to go riding. (Yes, I know there are some crazies who ride in the snow, but flamingos are not at all related to penguins or other arctic foul.)

Watch this blog for the latest news from the Flamingo Team. Go Flamingos!!!!!

Listen to the Podcast for the Latest

I am sorry for not keeping up the written blog. Getting timely internet access is difficult on our RAGBRAI ride. I can only send 160 letters from my phone and it Verizon adds a bunch of advertising at the end.

I will be trying to keep you up-to-date through my podcast (see the Gcast buttons in the right column.) I can make these updates through my phone. The titles aren't too fancy (only tell you the date) but if you click on the right arrow in that box, it will play the latest. Click on the Posts button and it will give you a list of the podcasts that have been sent.

I will update the written part as is practical.

Hope that this is helpful.

Z

Tuesday ends in Ames

We had the early birds who included Salsa, Early, Must-Go Mama, California Bird. The later birds were the rest of the flock.

Today's challenge was going to be the 1.5 mile climb before Boone. It was challenging but by not insurmountable. We actually traveled in different packs today.


Went to a RAGBRAI concert tonight in Ames where we saw Styx for only $5 a head. GREAT concert. They really know how to entertain.

Dropped a muffler

On the road for 20 minutes & Big Bird's van dropped it's muffler. Called a friend who took the muffler and left. What will fall apart next on the van?

Finally on the Road to Adventure

We are off! Having picked up Salsa Bird, we are on our way!! Starting off 2 hours late 'cause Whiney Bird dyed her hair pink at the last minute.

Time to Hit the Road!!

It's Saturday Morning and we must head out.

It has meant months of packing and training (yeah, sure) to prepare us for the trek ahead.

Team Flamingo is READY TO ROLL!!!

Z-Bird

RAGBRAI begins in one week. As our last ditch effort to Get in Shape, we took a 50-mile ride. This photo shows the other side of our training with margaritas and mexican food. GO TEAM!!! Load those Carbs!!!

We MADE it!! 2007

Yes, we made it to the "Mighty Mississip" this afternoon. Our final town was Bellevue. You can see the four Flamingos who flew across Iowa with RAGBRAI this year. Theyy are (fom the left) Big Bird (Mike Knapp), Whiny Bird (Mica Lorenz), Weird BIRD (Juanita Williams), and Z-Bird (me-Leigh Zeitz). We are dipping our front wheels into the Mississippi to signify that we made it. What a trip!

Early Start on the Last Day

it's the last day and we got an early start. That means that we woke up at 5:30 but for some reason we still did't get on the road until 7:30.

Heading into Dyersville

Here we are with Steve & Liz Kilgarde. Liz used to be Deb's principal and they kindly opened their house to the Flamingos and Team Oz. We had the opportunity to swim in a pool, steam in a hot tub and enjoy S'mores. Rained a little last night but not enough to smear the artwork on the Flamingo truck.
We got off to an early start. This time it included Mike, Mica, Deb, Heather and Juanita with Bev & Kathy as the valuable support team.
We rode to the small town of p???? Where we saw a band named "The Second Shift.". This cleaver and innovative band really ROCKED.

Leaving Cedar Falls for Independence

Cedar Falls was by far best stop of the trip. I don't just say this because I live there. I have heard this from other riders too. You can see the troop of riders that left from our house. Balding Eagle and Betty joined us in CF. The rest of the gang slept at home and met us in Denver. We left @ 7:40 and covered the 18 miles to Denver rather quickly. Made it to Denver by 9:20. Met the rest of the gang there an had a great trip. It was hot and had a bunch of headwinds, but it was the most beautiful terrain of the trip. We went through the Amish country. Also went through some tiny towns. I went through Clinger and didn't even know it. Pulled into Indendence where they had an awesome fair ground. Stayed in the lovely home of the Kilgardes.

Things may look a little crazy

This has been an interesting week.

I had some problems with the blogging from my phone so you may find that
they are not in sequential order as I post them from my phone. Bear with us
and I will fix them when we return.

Keep riding!!!

Z-Bird

Rock Rapids take off

We actually left at 7:30. Had a wonderful evening at the Ditsworths and their lovely kids: Xander, Accai, & & Adelinne. LOOK OUT WORLD, Here we come!!!!

How many flamingos does it take to empty a chinese restaurant?

The team stopped in Charles City at the Human Buffet (I think that was the name.) Nice thing bout RAGBRAI is that all bets are off...so are any aspects of modesty. We entered the restaurant and it was half full. We were a bit rambunctious but fun loving. The stories ran wild and it was obvious that the RAGBRAI craziness has set in.

Team Flamingo takes off!

Well, we're off. It was our typical belated...no...beleagured start. Meant to start @ 8 but didn't hit the road until 11:30. Here's a photo of our illustrated truck with the usual cast of characters: Biig Bird, Z-Bird, Whiney, 'Lzy Brd, Kat Bird, Mama Bird, Weird Bird, & Crafty Bird. What a CREW!!