Day 3: Carroll to Boone

Team CoeBRAI came chuggin' into Boone on a gloriously fast and flat track from Carroll. Several riders took advantage of the opportunity for a century by adding the optional Karras Loop to an otherwise 71-mile day. All had to ascend Twister hill -- from the movie of the same name -- outside Pilot Mound.

Patches and buttons offered as rewards paled as prizes compared to the lasagne dinner prepared by our host Kathy Workman, mother of CoeBRAI driver and Coe Sports Information Director Ryan Workman. More hot and sunny weather greeted the great bike ride across Iowa as we avoided precipitation for yet another day.

The longest ride of the week is followed immediately by the shortest as the route to Altoona covers "only" 56 miles. With "just" 1,147 feet of climb, it should be a nice stretcher as we pass Interstate 35 -- the traditional midpoint of RAGBRAI -- and continue our pursuit of the Mississippi River.

Our Altoona hosts are Coe parents Doug and Darla Keast who, with their kids, are biking across Iowa as well. It'll be interesting to see how they pull that one off, knowing all the logistical planning required for a successful journey.

Day 2: Atlantic to Carroll

Day 2 offered a scenic 65-mile ride from Atlantic to Carroll. After a comfortable stay with Coe parent Mary Paasch, we found our way to the home of John and Jackie Kitch. The Kitch's are family friends of CoeBRAI veteran Judy Floy.

The consensus is that today's ride, while longer by six miles and hillier by 400 feet, was a marked improvement over Sunday. Even longtime Iowans were impressed by panoramic views on a route that passed through Elk Horn, Kimbalton, Manning, Templeton, Dedham and Willey.

Overcast conditions prevailed until noon, helping to keep temperatures at bay. The sun came out for the afternoon and temperatures climbed sufficiently to make the spring fed pond at the edge of Carroll an attractive draw.

Tuesday takes us to Boone and offers a mere 1,787 feet of climb over 70.9 miles -- or 100 for those opting to take the Karras Loop for a century.

Day 1: Glenwood to Atlantic

RAGBRAI 2011 kicked off with 60 hot and hilly miles from Glenwood to Atlantic. Keith and Betsy Forman gave us a great sendoff from Glenwood, where early evening storms provided some degree of relief from high humidity. In Atlantic we're being hosted by Mary Paasch, the mother of 2006 Coe alumnus and current Admission staffer Chris Paasch.

Finally whole after being joined by Roger Bear, our support crew (pictured in event-appropriate glasses) of Abby Masters '08, Sports Information Director Ryan Workman and CoeBRAI spouse Lisa Zingula is also in full force.

Tomorrow's ride to Carroll features Manning as a meeting town. I have some history in Manning and am hoping to avoid riding in a cattle truck this time through.