#ragbrai2017

We started in Spencer iowa and finished in Algona iowa. Total distance was 106.3 miles, at a pace of 15.8 mph. This day had the longest stretch from town to town that we will face for the week. At twenty-four miles Spencer to Ayrshire was the longest route we will face for the week as far as from town to town goes. The next town was a measly 10.2 from Ayrshire to to Curlew was easy and flew by quickly. I stopped for the tradition of my daily pork chop. Then it was on to the cemetery where I stopped with mom to see if we could be successful in finding our relatives cemetery plot. We were not so we rode on to Mallard. Where I decided to throw the hammer down to West Bend. In West Bend I stopped at the team tent to let them know I was going to start my “optional” century loop. I say “optional” because I do century rides for the heck of it. The century for me is mandatory. So I knocked it out quickly. I rode with a gentleman from Texas who was on his first of what he hoped were many RAGBRAI’s to come. He was blown away by the how awesome the hospitality was. After I completed the loop. I stopped back at the tent and let them know I was pushing on to the overnight town of Algona. I rode in to Algona with one of the guys who I do the Wednesday night shop ride with. And we just kicked it in to high gear. When we started in West Bend I thought we would take it easy. Not the case. We hit it hard. We ride thru Whitehorse which was the last town before Algona. We kept moving. When we got to Algona I got dropped on the long steep uphill. I’m not a climber. I’m a long distance cyclist who can hold 18-20 mph for hours but can not climb hills. So I spun up the hill. Which is how I climb. We got in town at 3:30. When I stopped in Curlew for my pork chop I also got a patch remembering the late Paul Barnhardt. I have stopped at mr. Pork chop for years and they are not just friends. They are family. Mr.pork chop is one of those vendors that, you'd better bring your "A" game of insults, because if you don't...you're not going to last. All in all a good day and an awesome way to honor a RAGBRAI legend. 6:28 was on bike time. I just crushed it.

Last day! Oh the scenery! Loved it! #Asifarmstrong #Ragbrai2017

Last but not least. I'm a stickler for a photo of myself on the last day of the ride. So when I saw this one. I snatched it. Thanks for following this week. Blogs to come soon. No cell service meant no blogging. #Asifarmstrong #Ragbrai2017

Last but not least. I'm a stickler for a photo of myself on the last day of the ride. So when I saw this one. I snatched it. Thanks for following this week. Blogs to come soon. No cell service meant no blogging. #Asifarmstrong #Ragbrai2017

These two were incredible m. Did the whole week on their unicycles! Only thing I missed photo wise this week was a photo of the penny farthing. #Asifarmstrong #Ragbrai2017

She did it! #Asifarmstrong #ragbrai2017

Last day! Mom finished strong like a champ! #Asifarmstrong #Ragbrai2017