More Fun in Clear Lake

July 27

Team Simpson riders Bryan '87 and Amy '87 Gregston of Arvada, Colorado enjoyed circulating at the ice cream social at the home of Tony and Angie '89 Sly in Clear Lake.

Alumni Reception

July 27

Team Simpson was joined by a number of alums at the home of Tony and Angie '89 Sly in Clear Lake, pictured here. Everyone enjoyed the ice cream social and the beautiful lakeside scenery at our hosts' cabin. Some of the riders took a dip in Clear Lake before dinner. Several of us had the unexpected pleasure of sleeping in air-conditioned comfort inside the Sly home. It was even more appreciated when a strong band of thunderstorms rumbled through around 2 a.m. Those who slept outside dealt with wet tents and wet gear in the morning. Many thanks to Tony and Angie and their daughters for a wonderful evening in Clear Lake.

John Byrd

I Missed It!

July 27

I learned after leaving Britt today that Jon and Judy Swenson, their daughter Molly who is a junior at Simpson, and their son Tyler who will graduate from Simpson in August, had prepared a wonderful sign welcoming Team Simpson to town. Thanks to the Swensons for the warm welcome. Sorry I missed you and the sign!

John Byrd

Flying the team colors

Team Simpson pulled on red and gold jerseys for Tuesday's 60-mile ride from Algona to Clear Lake. State troopers saluted the college as team members rolled through intersections. Students and alumni greeted team riders in pass-through towns. (One enthusiastic lady noticed the maple leaves on the sleeves and welcomed all the Canadians to town.) And Des Moines Register photographer Andrea Melendez captured team members Fred Hubbell, John Byrd and Dave Enzler on the ride. The original shot is here.
-- Mike Krapfl

An Alum in Britt

July 27 - Britt, Iowa

I ran into Jeff Nielsen, pictured here, on my stop in Britt this morning. Jeff graduated from Britt High School and later from Simpson College in 1984. Jeff told me that he holds the high school record for the 100 meter dash in Class 2A (10.84). Jeff didn't tell me, but I have learned that he also holds the state record of 21.78 for the 200 meter dash in Class 2A - and both of those records still stand! I also learned that among his other accomplishments, Jeff set Simpson school records in the 100 meter dash and in the 4 x 400 meter relay. It is such fun to encounter Simpson alums along the route. Hopefully I will meet a lot more before this day is over. We are all wearing our Simpson jerseys, the visibility of which helps us to make these fun connections. Looking forward to the alumni gathering late this afternoon in Clear Lake.

John Byrd

Fueled by Iowa Hospitality

July 27 - Mile 176.5

We often think of homemade pies, Iowa chops, bratwurst, and all manner of other great food as the fuel that keeps riders going across Iowa. It is actually the Iowa hospitality, though, that makes all of this work. I met a man yesterday in Pocahontas and when I asked him how many years he had participated in RAGBRAI, he told me, "Sixteen." When I asked him what kept him coming back year after year, he told me it was Iowa hospitality. We certainly experienced some of that hospitality last night as we camped at the home of Dan and Darla Vonnahme (pictured here). The Vonnahmes set up extra showers for us in their back yard to accommodate our large group and warmly welcomed us into their home. True hospitality is best expressed when freely and sincerely given, as is particularly the case with the Vonnahmes. They are not directly connected to Simpson. Co-captain Chris Goodale describes them as "friends of Simpson who are connected by a dotted line." Dan and Darla's connection to the college is that their grown daughter is a friend of a Simpson alumna. Yet they opened their home to 50+ people traipsing in and out for showers and a change of clothes and made all of them feel right at home. This is a story that is replicated over and over again in every one of the overnight towns. So to all of the overnight hosts who gladly give up their homes, we say thank you for helping to make RAGBRAI the special event that keeps more than 10,000 riders from all over the country and all over the world coming back year after year.

John Byrd

In the Clover in Plover

July 26 - 12:30 p.m.

Just arrived in Plover for the second time today as part of the 100-mile loop and came through this very nice park. On the first time through I had a chance to meet up with Werner Kolln, Professor of Chemistry and Physics at Simpson. Werner joined the ride today and will be with us again tomorrow. It is great to have him on Team Simpson.

John Byrd