Iowa head winds were tough!! We are excited about Illinois

Dyersville to Muscatine Iowa 98 miles.  We started at 7am as we knew today would be a long day due to the mileage.  We quickly noticed a pretty strong head wind, but it just got stronger & stronger as the temperature heated up to nearly reaching 90 degrees.  It went from 20mph up to 25 and then to 30mph with gusts to 35mph.  Crazy!

With the head winds, I was averaging 5 mph. Even on the downhills, pedaling hard, with the headwinds, I could not go faster than 9mph.  Well, I did it... for the first time yet, I got off my bike and got into our support van at the first support station at mile 13.

A few more riders bailed out at 20 miles and the entire group bailed out happily at 44 miles as it was obvious that at the rate we were going it would be 10pm before we could finish with the head wind and gusts.  I knew it was bad when our strongest riders felt like they were fighting something bigger than them. 

Today is our day off and we are all working on our bikes, doing laundry, relaxing and staying off our bike seats for the day.

Me riding into the headwinds in Iowa.  Beautiful countryside.

Memorial Day.  Flags abounded everywhere....

The rolling hills would have been nice if we weren't riding in to 20-30 mph head winds.

Notice the tattered flag in the background.  The wind really had done a number on it.

We went by a pig farm and these were the pig shacks that were on the hillside.  They all had their little houses.....

Cathy Mead from Australia riding the wind....

Lea from Australia hitting the hills hard.

Cathy was happy that the van had a spot left for her & her bike.

A beautiful patiotic mural Memorial Day.

This van had 11 bikes & 11 riders loaded at this picture.  A few miles down the road, we added one more bike & rider.  We were loaded down.

I appreciate all of your love & support.  Please email me your supportive messages at rhondalinrose@yahoo.com or text me at (360) 461-1376.