BunceMan's TranzAmerican Bike Ride

Day 19: Fremont Lakes S.R.A., Nebraska to Springbrook State Park, Iowa. From the straight, windswept flatlands of Nebraska to the rolling hills of Iowa. Actually, the rolling hills began as soon as I headed east from Fremont into the beautiful, green, and well-tended town of Arlington, Nebraska. The land leveled out again through the larger city of Blair and the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge. After crossing the Missouri River into Iowa, the rolling hills began again.

At least Nebraska has shoulders on the Lincoln Highway, as rough as they may have been at times. In Iowa, there are no shoulders for a two-wheeler. Narrow lanes, white line along the sides, and then gravel. This became an issue right away as motorists (big, wind-pushing trucks were the most unnerving) would have to move into the opposite lane to get around me. This is the polite thing to do since I had nowhere else to go, but some drivers were reluctant to be polite, as they would honk and yell 'something' out the window as they drove by. One belligerent driver went so far as to drive onto the shoulder after he got around me to throw up dust and gravel. Peggy was aware of these road conditions and had scouted ahead to see that the road did not change for many miles ahead. So over lunch in Logan, Peggy rerouted me to Highway 44, an equally narrow road with gravel shoulders, but far less traffic. According to the map, 44 was also designated a "Scenic Byway" and paralled the Lincoln Highway.

Beautiful farms and countryside. Everthing was very green and lush, and manicured, as if it were a painting or a postcard. Huge waterpedes or other watering methods are not needed in this area because of the regular rains in the area. Nine inches last weekend I was told. Fortunately for me, however, the weather was beautiful today with moderate temps and winds.

And everybody in this rural setting has huge lawns. Not just around the house.. the barn and for acres all around. The riding lawnmower business must do very well.

Back to the rolling hills. For 75 miles on Highway 44, the roads never stopped rolling. I had to use my full range of gears to ride the 3 to 8% short rolls up and down. I arrived at Springbrook SP at 6:45, 15 minutes before Peggy was going to come look for me.

Springbrook State Park is located on State Highway 25 between the Lincoln Highway (30) and Highway 44. Very lush and green, nice facilities, and light on the annoying bugs.

Met some local gentlemen. Phil is from the small town of Jolley 60 miles north in Calhoun County. On a more detailed map of Iowa, he was showing me the 'correction line'. The north/south roads there were purposely designed so that they are not in a straight line with the same roads that continue in the next county. Has something to do with making the earth's meridian lines come out even overall.. like leap days/years.. I'm not clear on this either.. will research this later.

Danny is also a cyclist who has participated in RAGBRAI, Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. Apparently it's quite the 7-day event that attracts thousands of cyclist across the state. Sounds like fun.. I may do it someday...

Day 19 mileage: 130 miles | Peggy Pics | Struck by lightning | Happy Birthdays