Lakes to Mountains Tour

The Further Adventures of Biker Dude

Wed May 7: Sioux City IA to Norfolk NE: 83 miles; mid-60s with cool breeze, high clouds; 10:45-5:20.
An absolutely delightful day! Wind partially or fully at my back, beautiful rolling hills, dozens of cars honking and waving at me - not even the trip's first flat could dampen my spirits.
To begin the day, Frank picked me up and drove me to Hunt Elementary. "It's my alma mater," he explained. "First day of school, they sent me home. You see, Frank is actually my middle name, but it's what my parents always called me. They had to register me for school under my birth name (George), which was the rule. Well, they told the kids to stand up when they called your name for attendance, but I didn't stand up when they called out George. Thus, they sent me home because they were sure I was retarded."
As I took the bike from his truck, I noticed a problem - a weld on the rack had broken, leaving the bar that the pannier hung from vulnerable to breaking off. If it'd broken off in Nowheresville, I'd've been stuck thumbing a ride. Luckily, I knew Albrecht's could replace the rack before I left town.
I had spare time at Hunt to type in one blog before I got corralled by the TV reporter from the Sioux City NBC station. He interviewed me, then taped my presentation. Amy Denney gave me a great introduction to her students, and later got me to tell the kids about my RAGBRAI experience last year.
After the latest bike fix, I hit the road, exulting in the tail wind. As I ate lunch at the cafe in Hubbard NE, News4 at Noon played on the telly. Suddenly my mug graced the TV screen. "Is that you?!?" asked the waitress. That spot - or maybe the newspaper article - must have triggered all the honks I got on my ride to Norfolk.
Due to the delays from the rack and the flat, I didn't reach the motel (paid for by the library) until 5:20. That gave me just enough time to freshen up before riding over to the library for the talk, so I had to delay dinner until afterwards. The talk generated my best library audience yet - 25 people! - including six or seven middle school kids there due to the urging of their science teacher, Julie Wisch. Afterwards, two of the kids called their folks to bring down money to buy a book, and Brandon handed me a note from Julie inviting me to speak at the middle school tomorrow. I also sold several other books, including one to a local author. Another woman asked if I needed a place to stay that night. (No wonder I like library talks!)
Since the sun had set by the time the kids' folks had come, Brandon's parents drove me back to the hotel. I then wandered across the street for a late, but well-deserved, dinner.

posted by Glen @ 2:57 PM