
TOUR OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY
JUNE 7-8 2008
TOMRV 2008 Trip Report This year 1,456 riders signed up for Tour of the Mississippi River Valley (TOMRV). Riding was at times challenging, but cyclists are hardy, and nearly all enjoyed the challenges. The banquet was probably the best ever. The Cedar Island Band returned and made a great evening. And it was a safe tour, with no severe accidents. Cruising through Bellevue Ride Conditions Saturday was a beautiful riding day with pleasant temperatures and a brisk wind from the South that helped us along on our way to Dubuque. A thunderstorm swept South of Dubuque in the late afternoon, catching a few, however, and presaging what was to come. Sunday was difficult even for TOMRV. Storms hammered the route between Preston and Dubuque most of the morning. Most riders were soaked at least once, but few were deterred in getting as far as Preston. The one blessing in the storms was that the South wind was broken up, and at times it even blew from the North. Aided by that wind rider speeds of 35-40mph were clocked by riders on the downgrades of Z20 as they rode toward Preston. Two buddies leave Bellevue, bracing for rain These winds at times became more challenging than the rain. Several riders were caught in a large gust front as they approached Preston that lasted for minutes and nearly swept them off the road. Once in Preston, riders planning on finishing at Scott hunkered in at the park shelters to warm up and wait for better conditions. The Preston Lions, hearing that many riders were considering finding a ride to Scott, offered a bus for transport. One of the TOMRV trucks was loaded with 60 bicycles, and as many cyclists rode the Preston bus into Scott. Others found other routes back to Scott. The remaining Scott riders were prepared for the worst, but the weather relented. Into the afternoon, the storms let up and temps returned to the 80s. Wind shifted too, becoming sometimes South-East and sometimes North. Rider Spirit Despite the challenging conditions, nearly every rider I talked to was having a good time. And isn't it just human nature, conquering a challenge is immensely satisfying. We will not remember 99 hours of casual riding on the bike trail as much as 1 hour struggling with adverse conditions. One rider commented on feeling in control descending 40mph in the rain on Sunday, after the experience gained road riding on Saturday. That sounds like new skills are being learned and new opportunities opening up. Evening at Dubuque The banquet was probably the best it has ever been, just everything one could ask for after a tough day on the road. The beer garden was moved into the Atrium, due to the saturated ground. The Cedar Island Band returned to play, and many riders stayed long to relax. It was a great evening. By the time I turned in, the long miles were forgotten. Riders relax at the Banquet Rider safety and accidents There were no reported car-bicycle accidents. I am always thankful when we have another year without a car accident. Rider etiquette was very good this year. I never saw a case of cyclists impeding cars by riding abreast or with echelons. That considerate riding style makes an impression with motorists, and makes tour riding better for the riders after us. There were several accidents that I heard about. Fortunately none were severe. A rider crashed between LeClaire and Princeton, when his bike went off the pavement and he tried to steer back up from the shoulder. The rider was scuffed up and the front wheel needed repair. A rider was taken by ambulance from the road between Palisades and Hanover. This cyclist hit gravel at the edge of the road and crashed, resulting in bike damage and a cut over the eye. This rider eventually continued the ride, after some first aid and bike repair at Palisades. A rider went over the handlebars on the descent on Rocky Hill Road when his brakes locked. He injured his shoulder on this crash. A rider crashed between Saint Donatus and Bellevue and had cuts on the chin. I do not know the circumstance of this accident. There was a brisk cross wind on the US 61 bridge that caught some riders by surprise. I have not heard that an actual crash occurred there. We will post a wind warning there from now on. Two cyclists complete the tour at Scott Bike Repair This year we contracted with several shops and individuals to provide repair support on the ride. I will name them individually, recognizing that the shops are making a commitment to the cycling sport when they assist with large public event. Errol McCollum, retired partner of the QC shop On Two Wheels, supported the route on Saturday. A two man team Sean Walker and Nate Kullbom ran a second support vehicle on Saturday. Nate is the Bicycle Service Shop Manager at the Sheels in Coralville, and Sean works with Nate. A four-man team from Free Flight in Dubuque provided support at Clarke and then supported the route on Sunday down to Preston. Randy Hendricks of Bike World in Iowa City provided route support on the whole length on Sunday. Volunteers There were 95 volunteers helping on TOMRV this year. Many of these volunteers come back year after year. They find it satisfying to get together for a really cool weekend event and to help you cyclists on your way. Most are members of the QCBC, while some are friends of members. This year we also had help from some Dubuque club cyclists. Thank-you to you volunteers, because there cannot be a tour without your dedication. Lost and Found Each year people leave bits of their gear behind. We keep a lost and found box in front of the Atrium and attempt to re-patriate these things. Here is the items still in the box. Email me to reclaim your stuff. Riding glasses, clear, with a red headband Rainbow strap with wide delrin buckles Descent riding glove, right hand only One cleat cover, "Kool Kovers" Ride Jerseys We have an overstock on TOMRV jerseys size 2XL and 3XL. If this is your size, then today is your lucky day. Send $25 to the address below, and I will ship one to you. TOMRV C/O Doug Truesdell 4795 Trails End Road Bettendorf, IA 52722 Photos and stories wanted As you can see, I really need some good photographs here. If you have some photos you would like posted, you can send them. Include any captioning or stories you want.

TOUR OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER VALLEY

JUNE 7-8 2008

TOMRV 2008 Trip Report

This year 1,456 riders signed up for Tour of the Mississippi River Valley (TOMRV). Riding was at times challenging, but cyclists are hardy, and nearly all enjoyed the challenges. The banquet was probably the best ever. The Cedar Island Band returned and made a great evening. And it was a safe tour, with no severe accidents.

Cruising through Bellevue

Ride Conditions

Saturday was a beautiful riding day with pleasant temperatures and a brisk wind from the South that helped us along on our way to Dubuque. A thunderstorm swept South of Dubuque in the late afternoon, catching a few, however, and presaging what was to come.

Sunday was difficult even for TOMRV. Storms hammered the route between Preston and Dubuque most of the morning. Most riders were soaked at least once, but few were deterred in getting as far as Preston. The one blessing in the storms was that the South wind was broken up, and at times it even blew from the North. Aided by that wind rider speeds of 35-40mph were clocked by riders on the downgrades of Z20 as they rode toward Preston.

Two buddies leave Bellevue, bracing for rain

These winds at times became more challenging than the rain. Several riders were caught in a large gust front as they approached Preston that lasted for minutes and nearly swept them off the road.

Once in Preston, riders planning on finishing at Scott hunkered in at the park shelters to warm up and wait for better conditions. The Preston Lions, hearing that many riders were considering finding a ride to Scott, offered a bus for transport. One of the TOMRV trucks was loaded with 60 bicycles, and as many cyclists rode the Preston bus into Scott. Others found other routes back to Scott.

The remaining Scott riders were prepared for the worst, but the weather relented. Into the afternoon, the storms let up and temps returned to the 80s. Wind shifted too, becoming sometimes South-East and sometimes North.

Rider Spirit

Despite the challenging conditions, nearly every rider I talked to was having a good time. And isn't it just human nature, conquering a challenge is immensely satisfying. We will not remember 99 hours of casual riding on the bike trail as much as 1 hour struggling with adverse conditions.

One rider commented on feeling in control descending 40mph in the rain on Sunday, after the experience gained road riding on Saturday. That sounds like new skills are being learned and new opportunities opening up.

Evening at Dubuque

The banquet was probably the best it has ever been, just everything one could ask for after a tough day on the road. The beer garden was moved into the Atrium, due to the saturated ground. The Cedar Island Band returned to play, and many riders stayed long to relax. It was a great evening. By the time I turned in, the long miles were forgotten.

Riders relax at the Banquet

Rider safety and accidents

There were no reported car-bicycle accidents. I am always thankful when we have another year without a car accident. Rider etiquette was very good this year. I never saw a case of cyclists impeding cars by riding abreast or with echelons. That considerate riding style makes an impression with motorists, and makes tour riding better for the riders after us.

There were several accidents that I heard about. Fortunately none were severe.

A rider crashed between LeClaire and Princeton, when his bike went off the pavement and he tried to steer back up from the shoulder. The rider was scuffed up and the front wheel needed repair.
A rider was taken by ambulance from the road between Palisades and Hanover. This cyclist hit gravel at the edge of the road and crashed, resulting in bike damage and a cut over the eye. This rider eventually continued the ride, after some first aid and bike repair at Palisades.
A rider went over the handlebars on the descent on Rocky Hill Road when his brakes locked. He injured his shoulder on this crash.
A rider crashed between Saint Donatus and Bellevue and had cuts on the chin. I do not know the circumstance of this accident.

There was a brisk cross wind on the US 61 bridge that caught some riders by surprise. I have not heard that an actual crash occurred there. We will post a wind warning there from now on.

Two cyclists complete the tour at Scott

Bike Repair

This year we contracted with several shops and individuals to provide repair support on the ride. I will name them individually, recognizing that the shops are making a commitment to the cycling sport when they assist with large public event.

Errol McCollum, retired partner of the QC shop On Two Wheels, supported the route on Saturday.
A two man team Sean Walker and Nate Kullbom ran a second support vehicle on Saturday. Nate is the Bicycle Service Shop Manager at the Sheels in Coralville, and Sean works with Nate.
A four-man team from Free Flight in Dubuque provided support at Clarke and then supported the route on Sunday down to Preston.
Randy Hendricks of Bike World in Iowa City provided route support on the whole length on Sunday.

Volunteers

There were 95 volunteers helping on TOMRV this year. Many of these volunteers come back year after year. They find it satisfying to get together for a really cool weekend event and to help you cyclists on your way. Most are members of the QCBC, while some are friends of members. This year we also had help from some Dubuque club cyclists. Thank-you to you volunteers, because there cannot be a tour without your dedication.

Lost and Found

Each year people leave bits of their gear behind. We keep a lost and found box in front of the Atrium and attempt to re-patriate these things. Here is the items still in the box. Email me to reclaim your stuff.

Riding glasses, clear, with a red headband
Rainbow strap with wide delrin buckles
Descent riding glove, right hand only
One cleat cover, "Kool Kovers"

Ride Jerseys

We have an overstock on TOMRV jerseys size 2XL and 3XL. If this is your size, then today is your lucky day. Send $25 to the address below, and I will ship one to you.

TOMRV
C/O Doug Truesdell
4795 Trails End Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722

Photos and stories wanted

As you can see, I really need some good photographs here. If you have some photos you would like posted, you can send them. Include any captioning or stories you want.