The Big River Assault ride.

Yet another one in the bag. Because of this years Transiowa I have committed myself to do some longer, more difficult rides. A lot of the difficulty has to do with working late on Saturday and completing these rides with little sleep. I did arrive late on Saturday night. The wife tried waiting up for me but I found her sound asleep on the couch. My daughter was up trying to sneak in some time on SNL. I swiftly sent her to bed and started to assemble my stuff and prep my bike. I hit the sack at 12:30 am and had until 3:00 am to refuel my body with sleep. 
Actually it felt like I did a wink and woke up. My chest was burning and my stomach was a mess. I rolled down my street and cursed myself for about 1 hour. I had second thoughts. I fought them off. I started to think how far the Miss. was. I fought it off. 
So, around 6am I was around Wasco, IL and it started to rain. It rained on and off from that time until 2pm when we ended the ride. The ride turned out to be a soaker and very cold. The Bonk King and Kirt ended up in Oregon. Cookie and I continued with 50 more miles to go. At that point I was determined and knew I would accomplish my goal. We rode Townline rd in some mushy Gravel. We climbed a bunch of hills and finally started to relax. I was enjoying myself, specially when the rain let up for about 30 minutes. With 10 miles to go we got the big soaker and all waterproof stuff caved in. Thanked The Bonk King for the Ibex Knickers he had given me for my birthday. I thanked Rapha for the Wool Jersey. I would have frozen in Lycra. The Bonk King also left us with his flask and when we got too cold we would take a drink and that warmed us up. That was a super generous thought. 

Dark Thirty Am 

Bonk King, Kirt and Cookie. Pee Break. 

It was a gnarly day. We saw no epic Rapha Riders out there

Townline rd was super cool. Thanks Jakey La Cruz

I think my brain was frozen. I know my hand were. 

Cookie and I have had some good rides together. 

These rollers started to hurt after all those miles.

Took a break in Lanark,IL. no much going on there. 

Antifreeze

My daughter wanted to bring this friendly dog home. 

Yes, there is Pelikans in Iowa. 

Our goal was met. 

Off to the Pumpkin Patch. 

My daughter was very excited to hang out with Cookie

My lovely wife and I. She deals with my endurance stuff. Thank you! 

We arrived in Savana at 2pm and then seconds later the wife showed up. She had warm, dry clothes for me and a huge Stanley Thermos with Tea. I really love this woman. She drove for 3 hours to pick us up. We had Pizza and then crossed over the bridge for drinks at Bombfire. 
On the way back we loaded up the wagon with Pumpkins and enjoyed the drive back listening to 80's music. It was a fantastic day that I will never forget. Total mileage for the day was 135 miles, our average was about 13mph.  Thanks to all who were part of it. 
Long live the Slender Fungus!
Ari