Day 7 to Fort Madison and the mighty Mississippi

Megan Wagner, a 2013 Coe grad, and her dad, Tim, began the week as RAGBRAI virgins. They ended it with a homecoming in Fort Madison and hosted Team CoeBRAI at their home for our group descent to the Mississippi River. It was a fitting end to what, by all accounts, was the best RAGBRAI any of us have experienced. The end.

Day 6 to Fairfield

Had it not rained all night and I wasn't fighting a cold, today's 52-mile pancake ride (only 1,222 feet of climb) would have been a joy. Overcast skies for most of the day kept temperatures low again and a nice tailwind made for a magic carpet ride to Fairfield. Turns out I needed long sleeves and a jacket for comfort instead of sweating out the illness.

Soon enough we were in Fairfield, staying with teammates for just the second time in CoeBRAI history. RAGBRAI virgins Jeff Evanelo and Holly Baker have opened their secluded home to Team CoeBRAI. It's going to be a struggle to leave this serenity for another day on the road, but the Mississippi awaits.

First, though, it's time for the now traditional spaghetti dinner with my homemade sauce (frozen and toted across the state and back for the occasion. I'd better get cooking.

Day 5 to Oskaloosa

Data on paper - even visually represented - is a funny thing. Today's 52-mile trek to Oskaloosa ranked third for the week with 2,808 feet of climb. In actuality, it may have been second in difficulty to Monday's 83-mile journey from Harlan to Perry. Wind direction, descents and fatigue make a difference.

In our only group camping experience of the week, our tents are pitched outside the chapel at William Penn University. A pasta buffet on campus awaits before the annual concert by RAGBRAI favorites the Nadas.

With only 1,222 feet of climb, tomorrow's levitation-aided 52-mile ride to Fairfield should be the easiest day of the week, on paper.