Tomrv

[Ginger]

Last weekend a few of us drove down to Moline to visit with H.Frank Beshears and ride his club's ride, TOMRV.

El, Rover Rich, Mike, and Frank outside Registration Friday night.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/Gingerbike/TOMRV2007/IMG_1075.jpg
The guys were all nice enough to go to dinner at a restaurant that had gluten free options. John, Richard, Mike, and John (I think I have those right?) joined us there.

We started off *fairly* early on Saturday morning. I haven't seen this many Kirks in one place since...hmmmm Giro de Bozeman? We were missing dirtdigger in so many ways.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/Gingerbike/TOMRV2007/IMG_1076.jpg
Frank and Rich ready to roll
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/Gingerbike/TOMRV2007/IMG_1085.jpg

[Ginger]

The skies were this blue for most of the day.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/Gingerbike/TOMRV2007/IMG_1086.jpg
I did actually ride the first day's century, see? Here I am with the jersey that caused a guy to crash...I felt horrible...but it reminded me to always look where I'm going even when I'm talking to someone...he ddn't and ran into another bike and went down (no...no pictures)
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/Gingerbike/TOMRV2007/IMG_1101.jpg
I won't say there's a whole lot of nuth'n out there...but it goes a long way between "things" like say...trees. And it isn't flat out along the river valley, there are these LONG rollers...(and chinese water torture roads at times...)
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/Gingerbike/TOMRV2007/IMG_1104.jpg

[Ginger]

Sun...lots of sun. It seemed to get warmer than the predicted 80 degrees.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/Gingerbike/TOMRV2007/IMG_1106.jpg

more rollers. I didn't get the camera out when they were a bit closer together, they were more fun and I was busy riding instead of...well...riding...
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/Gingerbike/TOMRV2007/IMG_1122.jpg

Drivers were for the most part very courteous. These gentlemen are part of the ride support from the Healthy Habits bike shop. I saw many many flats and blowouts and I'm not sure why. The roads seemed very clean compared to Michigan.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/Gingerbike/TOMRV2007/IMG_1131.jpg

After about 45 miles, we started to get some trees.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/Gingerbike/TOMRV2007/IMG_1133.jpg

Started clouding up around 2. I was very thankful for that...I don't ride well in the heat with no shade
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/Gingerbike/TOMRV2007/IMG_1151.jpg

Frank's wife Deb and I went out to dinner so I could do the Gluten Free thing. I hear the spread was good at the ride though, so perhaps next year I'll chance that instead.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/Gingerbike/TOMRV2007/IMG_1163.jpg

These perfectly round purple balls (ok, thistle) were common on day 2. The "rollers" were longer too.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p139/Gingerbike/TOMRV2007/IMG_1165.jpg

If you get a chance next year, I highly recommend TOMRV. It's well supported with rest stops every 15 miles or so. A fire department puts on a pancake breakfast at the first rest stop on the first day, and another group grills up pork tenderloin on the second day near lunch. TASTY!

Thanks Frank! I had a good ride and a good time!

[justinf]

um. . .your jersey made the guy crash? nice one!

looks like lots of fun, nice jersey on Frank there as well.

[Ginger]

Well, his inattention to what was going on around him caused the crash...I really only feel a little bad. He asked me if I was doing all the River Valley Rides as he was passing me, looked back while I answered and he ran smack dab into the rear of his buddie's bike. He almost saved it but we were going up hill and as he careened in slow motion away from the first bike, he T-boned a second bike (they stayed up). He got up quickly and pedaled away rather embarrassed.

[woolly]

Ah, pictures of home. Looks like a really good time. One of these days I'm going to have to make it back to Iowa for something other than RAGBRAI & Thanksgiving/Xmas.

[H.Frank Beshear]

Sweet pictures, Thanks Ginger. It was truly a pleasure to ride with forum pals on a (for me) local ride. Hope to see you next year, and hopefully a few more forum pals as well. Frank

[gasman]

Nice pictures MA.

My computer crashed when I saw your jersey ;) , but I didn't ride off.

It also looks like you inhaled before dinner, and without Dirt Digger :no:

Looks like you all had wonderful riding weather. Thanks for sharing.

[Ginger]

Nah...the heat really got to me and I was really really tired.

[grey poupon]

ginger is a style maven. deal with it people.

[jthurow]

I'm getting all weepy for those Iowa country roads...sniff, sniff. Thanks for the pics! I think next year I'll have to join ya'

jimi