Fooled you!

I bet you thought I was done? Ha! I've now made it farther than ever before on this blog! Hooray for me too bad for you.

First, let's go over yesterday. I went out with my century partner from last year, Lynn. Lynn is from DC and is an original Team Cuisine member so I have to make sure that I "charm" her the most. We made it the full 97.4 miles and I was successful in my search for ice cream and a chance to jump in some sort of water. There was a lake at the stop over town and I joined some other crazy riders for a dip. It was refreshing and probably allowed me to finish the final 40 miles. Despite more hills and the long miles it was an enjoyable day all around. To top that off we went to see Hairball, Iowa's PREMIERE 80's hair metal cover band. And if that wasn't enough I was able to strap my hammock on the covered porch, albeit later than I wanted.

For dinner last night the chefs grilled up some thick top sirloin steaks, green beans,  corn bread (one of the best things I've ever tasted, glazed rolls and some pineapple upside down cake with raspberries and homemade whipped cream. It was exactly what I needed after a big ride.

As for today, despite going to bed late, my annual tradition the night before the short day, I woke up full of pep and ready to ride our "flat" short day of 50 miles. I shoved off before 7 am and just pedaled hard to get done with the day early. The hills were harder than advertised but a ton of fun even when a part fell off of Christine's bike halfway up a big hill, we still made it to the Keg bar and tap in Ottumwa in time to eat some Tombstone pizzas. The bar was filled with Team Cuisine in no time and music and laughter was filling the smoke drenched walls of the towns best dive bar. It was another great ragbrai day.

Dinner tonight was an Asian theme with rudabaga, pineapple salad, more Japanese eggplant, an Asian green salad, sticky rice, szechuan chicken and the rest of the pineapple upside-down cake. Yet another home run.

We were sad to say goodbye to chefs Dan and Beau. They had to leave a day early to return to reality and their real jobs/families. Thanks boys, you made this week a truly memorable one! See you next year, if not sooner.

Tomorrow promises to be another tough hill day for about 70 miles but I hold out hope it will be as fun as the rest of the week has been thanks to my ragbrai family, Team Cuisine.