The summer of 1998 brought about a huge adventure for me. I got the chance to ride RAGBRAI with a group of great people, collectively known as Purple Jam. This interesting collection of people ranged from a college professor to a lowly high school teacher (that being me). There were bankers and lawyers, an engineer and a physical therapist, bookkeepers and secretaries, mothers and students, and everything in between. Well, maybe not everything, but an eclectic group to say the least. And yet, for those seven days in July we were all just folks out on our bikes enjoying the Iowa countryside, beer, delicious food, beer, sunshine, beer, hills, beer, people from all over the country, beer, old friends and new, and oh, did I mention...beer?
 |
 |
| I rode with the Greenfields one day. Nice People! | Team Dragbrai in Pilot Mound. Best dressed team on RAGBRAI. Great tan lines too. |
 |
 |
| The Purple Jam bus and the team on day 7. We are almost there! | Disco Dancing down the highway in a bus! No it is not all riding your bike! |
 |
 |
| Hazel's Bar in Nemaha was a little TOO much fun for many of us. "Do you see those bushy eyebrows?" | Team Purple Jam knows where to hang out... right next to the Kybos! |
Before I close I would like to thank a few
people for making my trip one of the greatest adventures of my life.
Nancy and Dan for getting me hooked up with
Purple Jam.
Angela and Scott for riding with me that first
day. (I'm still wondering if you are real!)
The Greenfields for the riding tips and the
encouragement.
Jim and Jeff for the stimulating conversations.
Mike and Jim for the encouragement and company.
Sherry for being there when I REALLY needed
you! ;)
Erin for the neat article about me in the
Des Moines Register.
Julie for being my absent yet present riding partner.
And all the neat people on the Purple
Jam bus. Without you it would have just
been a long hot ride on my bike. Thanks!
