Team Flamingo Makes it to the KWWL RAGBRAI Fashion Page

Yes, it's true. If you wear pink feather boas while riding on your bike across Iowa, someday someone might pickup on the fact this is some sort of fashion statement.

KWWL's Rick Coleman was just the man who realized this in Charles City (Chucktown) when he interviewed Z-Bird on Main Street today. Z had just come into town in the middle of the Flamingo pack and was sitting on the sidewalk getting ready to find the home where they would be staying for the evening.  None other than Rick Coleman walked up with his photo journalist and asked for an interview.  (I want to point out that Rick road the 50-mile ride today in 3 hours.) 
KWWL RAGBRAI Fashion video

This evening on the KWWL news, there was a 2-minute piece about RAGBRAI fashion and we were the central point of interest.  I usually have a photo here and a fancy link to the video but can't do that now so just click on the following link to watch the video.


Have you seen us along the RAGBRAI road?  What fashion tips do you have to share?

Z-Bird

Catching up on Flamingo Blogging

For those of you who are wondering where all of the blogging is that I was promising you as we RAGBRAIed across Iowa, I am sorry but this evening (Wed) is the first time that I have had access to Internet so that I could share some of the things that have been happening.

While I haven't been able to blog, I have been twittering some about our trip. I have placed a gadget in the right hand column that will reflect twitters that talk about Team Flamingo.

I am in the process of setting up this blog so that I CAN blog from my phone.  Only time will tell.

Thanks for following.

Z-Bird

Looks Like a Wet Week Ahead

Looks like we will encounter some rain on our trek this coming week.  I used the weather website, wunderground.com to compile the information in the table above (click on the graphic if it isn't big enough to read.)  I decided that our sleeping situation was the most important, so I posted the forecast for the night of our stay in the various towns.

Please remember that meteorologists don't hold any faith in weather forecasts beyond 5 days so the further out the forecast the less certain we can be about its certainty.

Needless to say, we will have a wet week, so dress (or undress) appropriately.

Only 36 hours till we migrate to Western Iowa for Ragbrai

Only 36 hours before Team Flamingo takes off for RAGBRAI. We plan to meet at 8:00 on Saturday and leave Waterloo by 9:00. This means that we will be lucky to leave by 10:00 unless a Whinwy Bird wants to dye her hair pink on Saturday morning again . . .

We plan to get to Sioux City in the late afternoon where we will all stay in a generous gentleman's home. That's how Flamingos Roll. We don't need no stinkin' campgrounds because Big Bird, Whiney Bird, and and Crafty Bird usually find homes where we can stay. (Truth is that we carry tents in our vans just in case.)

It's raining and thundering outside but that is OK because this means that the skies will be all rained-out when it is time to ride . . . Riiiiight!!!

I am writing this post using a small mini One Laptop Per Child computer. The keyboard is so small that I have to type using two fingers. That's OK. It's supposedly waterproof so I will take it on RAGBRAI. I will also post using my droid so it should be fun.

A Million Spokes: New RAGBRAI documentary

Last year, a documentary production company followed us across Iowa and this year they are releasing their film, “A Million Spokes.”  This  feature-length documentary will make its world premiere in Sioux City at the start of RAGBRAI XXXVIII.

Yes, you can see me, Z-Bird, making my way up Snake Alley in Bettendorf at the final day of the ride (about 1:45 into the trailer.) It shows me riding in the 5-minute trailer of the documentary. Who knows what will be included in the full-length documentary.


The film focuses on some of the riders and teams that journeyed across the state last summer.  The film highlights the diversity of RAGBRAIers as some come for the challenge, some come for the speed, some come just to party through the ride and others derive very specific meanings for the ride.

This special screening in Sioux City prior to the 2010 RAGBRAI will mark the first time this film will be viewed by the public.  The film’s director, Varda Hardy, producers, Ken Gorrell and Talia Rodriguez-Shakur, will join many of the characters you will meet in the film to screen the project in its first public viewing.

Looks like an interesting documentary.  Click the photo up there and you can watch it on YouTube.

Z-Bird.

There IS a LOOOOONG Hill on RAGBRAI

RAGBRAI 2010 isn't all flat. There is a tough 1-mile hill on the last day of the ride at Potter's Hill. It averages about a 6% grade. Ride the hill above through the video.

The RAGBRAI blog provided 5 steps for making it up hills. Here is the list. You will want to go to the actual RAGBRAI posting for the descriptions.

1. Hills are Hard
2. Use Your Gears
3. Train on Hills Prior to RAGBRAI
4. Train Your Brain
5. Pace Yourself

Enjoy yourself Flamingos and Friends of Flamingos.

Z-Bird

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.
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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!

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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..........

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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.