Messages from the Road

The following is part of an email received from our EGFBS RAGBRAI Team riding across Iowa to raise funds for our homeless population in Elk Grove.

John Platt, John van Doren, Arnie Vierra, Penny Pinard, Wendy Wyles and Frank Lucia landed in Omaha, Nebraska on Friday afternoon and arrived at their hotel in Counsel Bluff, Iowa around 3:30pm. An hour later, Dave Hieronimus and Norm Fadness arrived at the hotel after a two-day 27 hour truck ride with all our bikes and gear. Norm will be acting as our "equipment manager"throughout the 7 day 454 mile bike ride across Iowa starting on Sunday.

Saturday morning, seven of us took a leisurely 20 mile bike ride to stretch our legs and attempt to acclimate to the weather. Temperatures mid day have averaged around 90 degrees with humidity around 60%. Signs of flooding are all around us. The Missouri River is very high and running hard. There is anticipation of more flooding in the near future.

In the early afternoon, the eight of us piled in the pick-up truck (three of us had to ride in the back of the truck) and ventured down the freeway to Glenwood, 17 miles away. This will be the start of our bike tour. After buying some clothing/supplies and eating a light lunch we spent a short time in the quaint town of Glenwood and began our journey back to the hotel. It started to rain heavily for about 10 minutes which made for an interesting ride for Arnie, John Van Doran and Frank, who rode in the back of the truck, uncovered.

John Platt and I want to thank all those who have sent in donations or pledges for the homeless in Elk Grove. All pledges and donations will go directly to the homeless. It is our hope this bike ride will draw more attention to the needs of the less fortunate in Elk Grove.

We have found the people of Iowa to be very friendly and look forward to the first day of our bike ride tomorrow. It is expected to include 10,000 riders.

Our team would like you to know that if you would like to contribute and help our homeless population in Elk Grove, please send your check to:

Elk Grove Food Bank Services
ATTN: PATH
P. O. Box 1447
Elk Grove, CA 95759

Thank you.