Day 37: Just what the doctor ordered

Today was a light day-60 miles from Sioux City to Sioux Center. Last night most of us slept in the gym of the Sergeant Bluff Family Center. There were a several reasons: 1. It was air conditioned 2. It meant we didn't have to set up and take down our tents 3. There was a possibility of thunderstorms 4. It was air conditioned (that was doubly important).

I intended to get up at the usual time, 5:15, leave early, and finish really early. I woke up at 4:50 to use the bathroom, changed my cell phone alarm to "vibrate" so as not to disturb those who wanted to sleep a bit longer, and slept through the vibrations until 6:15. When I woke up and looked around, the gym was almost empty. And I was sleeping by the door! I guess I needed the sleep. I still managed to leave by 7:30.

The ride was easier than expected, because the headwinds were less than forecast and the temperature didn't get above 85. We also had a refreshment stop at the 45 mile mark-smoothies and root beer floats. Kudos to the Ireton CRC.

Dordt College has treated us royally. We're staying in an air conditioned dorm. They are serving us dinner and breakfast. I'm composing this blog on computers they are providing. There is a bike store 5 blocks away where I could take care of a nagging problem. And, to top it off, their showers are awesome!

I have appreciated the showers in every place where we've stayed. In some places the water trickled out; in others there was no hot water, in others there was only hot water, in some the floor was slippery or dirty, yet, when you sticky and smelly with sweat "IT'S ALL GOOD!" But the Dordt showers-permit me to elaborate-there were private stalls for each of us-the water came out forcefully-the termperature was easily regulated-and the floors were clean. There waw even a hook for my towel! I didn't want to get out. I don't know if Dordt promotes their showers in the advertising, but they should.

The guy at the bike store said something very interesting. "The beginning of tours are exciting because of their novelty. The end of tours are enjoyable because they're almost done. It is the middle part that is the most difficult to deal with." "Yes!" I said, "we're in the middle of this tour and I've been having an especially tough time lately." Another rider echoed my evaluation. "The answer," he said, "is relationships. You have to depend relationships with other bikers to get you through the doldrums."

O.K. doctor, I'll try shifting my attention from the biking and the scenery to the people with whom I'm biking, and see what happens.