Final Issue Before RAGBRAI!

"We all live in a little orange school bus" {sung to The Beatles' Yellow Submarine}

In this issue:

1. Training Ride #2 Report
2. Schedule, Directions, & other pertinent info.
3. Packing Guidelines
4. Birthdays!
5. Fearless Leader's Design on the Universe


TRAINING RIDE #2:

We got through it. In the end, that was good enough. Actually, in the end, the pitchers at El Cazador were very good indeed!

The training ride was not without it's difficulties. Johnny got the "Waa waa waa" ball rolling with a flat tire less than a mile into the ride. I guess the whole Karma thing caught up with him faster than anyone expected. After a tube change and a few beers, we were back on the rode. But before the next stop, it was B-Dub's turn. He flatted his rear tire on the way to Westmoreland. Waa waaa waa... Again, we changed out the tube and we were on our way. The next bar stop was just 5 miles away in Westmoreland and we were all getting thirsty. But when we got there, a sign on the front door read: "Will open at 8pm today". Waaa waaa waa... Luckily we had friends in Westmoreland. So we went to their house where we drank Budweiser's in the garage. Hooray for Heidi!!

Back on the road, we were looking forward to the bar in Louisville where they have, "The coldest beer in Kansas". Once again, we were disappointed. Upon arriving, we found the place closed down and bolted shut. Waaa waa waaaa.... Oh, this was getting frustrating. We had no choice but to forge on to Wamego (3 short miles down the road, thank God) where we finally found a bar open! We made up for lost consumption at the Lincoln Street Station and readied ourselves for the final 16 miles back to Manhattan via a stop at the Green Chicken in St. George.

It was while leaving the Lincoln Street Station, that we noticed The Kid wasn't looking so hot. He had cramped up in both legs while sitting in the bar, and now he appeared ashen with dark circles around his eyes. We got him outside and stretched out and decided to test his legs on the 7 miles to St. George. Well, we limped into town and it was decided The Kid could go no farther. Also, Will was paying dearly for his decision to where basketball shorts rather than bike shorts. So, we left them behind at the Green Chicken and I raced back through drizzling rain to my truck parked at the Sleeves' in Manhattan in order to drive it back and retrieve our fallen comrades.


Well, we all made back in one piece and Buddy, the diabetic dog got his insulin and survived- it's a whole other story.

INFORMATION:

Port-A-Party schedule:

Leaves Manhattan @ 5pm, Friday, July 20 bound for Gary's farm in Raymond, NE
Leaves Gary's @ 10am, Saturday, July 21 bound for Rock Rapids, IA

You may catch the bus at either location but please let me know which you choose so I can get you directions. We leave from Steve's in Manhattan and I know most of you haven't been there. Also, some of you will need directions to Gary's.

$$$ Reminder:

Your CRACKANOON team fees will be due on Saturday morning before we set sail for Iowa, or when I see you the first time in Iowa. Fees are $125 per person and everyone still owes this except Steve who has already paid.

Dave/Erica: I have a weeklong rider band one of you can use b/c I'm buying Clint's from him.

Clint: Send me your address and I'll send you the $$. We'll miss you on the ride. Good luck with the new face!

At the end of RAGBRAI, we'll leave the end town when everyone gets there and we'll travel as far as Pella on Saturday before driving the rest of the way back on Sunday. That's the tentative plan anyway. I'll need to coordinate with Corey on that.

PACKING GUIDELINES:

Last year I called this, "Packing Suggestions". This year, without making them all-out RULES, I want to emphasize even more the importance of packing efficiently and lightly, so I'm calling them GUIDELINES.

1. Everyone is limited to 2 bags- 1 large duffel and 1 daypack/backpack/purse/ or other small carryall + camp gear

2. For on-the-bike, I suggest 2-3 pairs of bike shorts and a couple of jerseys. You can wash-wear every other day, so you don't need a whole week's worth. The best way to wash clothes is carry, or even wear, them into the shower with you. We'll set up a clothesline system to hang dry. Don't forget the helmet, bandana, shoes, and gloves!

3. For street clothes, here's what you need:

1-2 pair of shorts
1 pair of long pants or jeans
2 t-shirts
1 nicer, fancier, prettier, going-out-on-the-town shirt.
1 long-sleever (yes, it gets cool sometimes at night)
Undies, if your into 'em
sandals, flops, birks, or other comfy street-walkin' shoes

Bring your favorite, most comfortable clothes! You should be able to live in a good t-shirt for at least 3 days no problem. When you think about it, you'll only wear your street clothes a few hours at night AFTER you've showered b/c the rest of the day you'll be in your bike clothes. So, you can get away with a lot less clothing. Also, folks have a tendency to acquire new clothing when they're on vacation. And as far as fashion goes- WE DON'T CARE IF YOU WEAR THE SAME F-ING THING EVERY F-ING DAY!! It's not a fashion show! For those who've been on RAGBRAI before, they know the less shite you have with you, the better off you are.

Also:

Comfortable socks! You can't believe how important good socks are until you find them. I wear Smartwool hiking socks ALWAYS. They are dreamy clouds of comfort and they're made of wool, so they don't get stinky, and they dry fast and clean.

Swimmin' trunks
Sunglasses
Hat, bandana, or something to shield your dome from the deadly deadly sun.

Other stuff:

sunblock
drugs
I.D.
personal hygiene items
small flashlight
magic beans

Camping Gear:

Tent
bag
blanket & sheet
pilla
pad, if you have it.

Everyone knows I'm a bitch about camping gear so I won't try to hide it. I'm used to passing out on the ground so I guess I just don't understand why you would need- let alone even want- a f-ing inflatable air mattress. I hate them. They are bulky even when deflated, they take forever to air up and also to deflate in the morning. They get holes and leak. And the pumps are obnoxious. But, BUT, if you must have it, fine. I won't hate you. I'll only be disappointed (like my parents were with me the time I came home drunk and puked Mad Dog on Grandma's birthday cake... that's another story.

I have a problem with large tents too. The "Holidome" was damn funny one time. One time only. We are extremely limited on space this time around with 16 Nooners on board, so....

If you have a big tent and a small tent, bring the small one!

If you have a big bag and a small bag, bring the small one!

If you have a big girlfriend and a small one.... you are getting the point, yes?

The point is, we will be extremely limited on space and we all need to do our absolute best to pack as small individually as we can so that the whole team is comfortable as a whole.

DO NOT BRING:

Coolers
Beer
Paper towels or T.P.
Wet Naps
Paper plates
Cups
Kuzis

All these items will be provided to you as a special member of Team CRACKANOON!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The following team members have July birthdays:

Suzy Shortsleeves: July 18
Karen Loumaster: July 22
Fearless Leader: On RAGBRAI! Always!

FEARLESS LEADER'S DESIGN FOR THE UNIVERSE:

I'm tired of typing. You're tired of reading. I'll give it to you when I see you at Gary's.

SEE YOU ALL IN TWO WEEKS!!!

Need to talk? Call me. Standard local rates apply.

-FL