Sioux Center, Iowa (Dordt College)

We are at Dordt College, and in a nice air conditioned room in the newest dorm, Covenant Hall. Our laundry is in the dryer and we are about to go to the All Seasons Center where there's a pool and waterslides and hot tubs. This will be the third night in a row that we won't be setting up a tent. Last night we slept in a gym, and this is what our bedroom and the gym looked like.


We were up early this morning, probably because of all the other early risers and just because of the strange sleeping arrangements, and I was on the road already by 6:15. The winds were not too bad today, even though they were against us. The ride was beautiful, and very hilly. Anyone who thought Iowa was flat would have been in for a rude awakening, as it was one hill after another. Everywhere you looked, of course, there was corn. And how many pictures can you take of corn? Well, at least two!


About 2/3 of the way there, in the village of Ireton, the CRC hosted us for refreshments - root beer floats and strawberry smoothies. I had one of each to test which one was better, but could not make up my mind. So I had one more of each - no I didn't, just kidding (but I wanted to).

I didn't stay too long with all that good stuff around, raced off again, and was the very first to arrive at Dordt. They are hosting us for dinner tonight, a celebration worship service this evening, and breakfast tomorrow morning. That means Diane and the kitchen crew have a day off today; these women work very hard, and are grateful for any break they can get.

All in all, it feels like a day off today. Just what we need, too, in preparation for our 2 longest rides tomorrow and the next day - 182 kms each day.

Today's stats:

Distance: 99.17 kms
Average speed: 21.8 kph (all those hills!)
Maximum speed: 45.7 kph
Time in saddle: 4.32.28
# of flats on tour: 6 ga.js