Rain on the tent last night put me back to sleep with a sense of dread. If the weather is warm enough riding in the rain isn't tortuous. But I dreaded the thought of breaking camp in the rain. Please Lord, let us get on the highway for today's 75 miles before the rain comes.

We made it 15 miles to Vinning, Ia., population 53. I think every person in town called in their nearby relatives to help because crews apparently outnumbering the population were grilling pancakes, scrambling eggs, brewing coffee and stirring homemade ice cream with John Deere engines pulling long belts to spin cannisters. It's probably the first time I've ever thought it an inappropriate time for ice cream, but I skipped it in favor of french toast, eggs, biscuits and gravy and coffee. Price? $4.

And now it's raining. When I leave the Iowa Telecom trailer in Chelsea, just five miles down the road from Vinning, I'll saddle up and try to keep visibility through my glasses. I wore my rain jacket at first, but it's too hot. So, jersey and arm warmers for me. Head down, heading for North Liberty where we'll camp tonight.

Steve, my riding parter at the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) had his sixth and seventh flats yesterday. Within 30 feet of each other. But we were at a rest stop taking on water at an Air National Guard water station and one of the Air Guard guys used to work in a bike shop. Don was happy to help us out and we thought it providential that he was there with a smile and ready, helpful spirit. I only had to ride a block to a traveling bike shop to pick up a tube and new tire for Steve.

Yesterday was likely the largest single day of riders ever in RAGBRAI. The Des Moines Register, which sponsors the event, sold out of day passes, which would put registered riders at 27,000 plus. Imagine riding 80 miles an never being more than an arm's length away from at least one other rider. But riding etiquette has kept accidents down, although we did hear of one car-bus-riders accident which involved 10 ambulances, but I don't know any specifics.

Dinner last night was after a shuttle ride to a local Indian gambling casino. Great dinner after five days of breakfast burritos and church spaghetti suppers. But the vast, smoke filled room was a study in generational sadness. Expressionless senior adults pumping coins and pulling levers. The only joyful sounds I heard were the exclamations of gastronomic delight from the RAGBRAI riders who found the casino buffet. It was enough to put a smile on our faces today, even in the rain, which has picked up considerably.

Alright, I'm back at it.