Iowa Is Not Flat (Part 2)

Paul and I limped into town. 60 miles down (only 9,902 more people to meet). We really struggled at the end. The sun here is hotter than Florida. The hills, though as plentiful as the beginning, got a little easier. I was so uncomfortable that when I got back I decided to forgo the long lines at the showers (ok long walk) and instead showered in my bathing suit under a hose with half the campground. Paul decided to go the traditional route. We are finding a pattern here --they don't like trees. There is literally no shade anywhere. So, we've begun a game of find a church, vendor tent, anything that gets us out of the sun (ie. the telecommunications trailer I'm typing this from).

We took the advice of Juan, a young guy we met from Chicago last night -he's riding the ride in honor of his friend who is fighting cancer (he rode with him last year). He told us to go at our own pace, stop often and eat every chance we could. And we did.

I have to say, that people here are so encouraging --riders much more fit and skilled than us rode by and shouted kind words "keep going," "almost there," "you can do it" (which by the way was also on all the Miller Light signs along the way --"huge hill coming --you can do it!".

We've enjoyed meeting people from all over: California, Philly, Hawaii, you name it! Putting up our Gator flag on the fence behind our tent last night was a really good move. People from all over Florida came by to say hi.

Paul and I are very worried about tomorrow--80+ and we are told the same climb per mile as today. Please keep us in your thoughts. By the way, we had a couple signs from all of you today by way of the music that would ride by us (people bring their boomboxes). Mom --I heard Meatloaf twice. Binky --heard Johnny Cash all over. Lolo--Akon"Smack That" got me up one of the hills!