Stop 1: Ventura: Not enough KYBO’s in town, if you know what I mean. Played a few songs with Tom on the roadside then split for the next town:
On the way to the next town…
Things were beginning to pick up. What was missing in Ventura was looking much better as we headed toward the town of Clear Lake. Maybe because it was only 5.5 miles away from Ventura that the town felt they couldn’t compete.
Team Red Merkin
This team jersey made very little sense and to top it off, most of the team members that I talked with didn’t seem to know how the team got the name. It might have possible references to something worn by the actress who played the lead in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo movie but what that has to do with cycling across Iowa has certainly been lost over time. Check out the Red Merkin Website for less information.
Whatever this was, Note the KYBOs in the background
Yes, it was getting better by the minute. Here various participants are watching contestants play “Coin Slot Roulette” which is not the same as “KYBO Roulette”, a favorite Chicago Urban Bicycle Society sport. Click HERE for details.
The Pyramid House
The bikes traveled into Clear Lake via North Shore Drive, past this place which is a short term rental property ($2100/week) and does not have much information about the place on the official website.
And further down North Shore, the Surf Ballroom
Hey, wait a minute. Clear Lake was an overnight town in 2010. Here it is from this blog: CLICK HERE to see the entry “Winter Dance Party Memorials”
Ron, Jim, John and Dale
Ron plays the invisible drums, Jim plays the pressure cooker banjo, John plays the Iowa Guitar and Dale plays a cigar box guitar. This all happened at the City Park band shell a little bit away from the Ragbrai Main Stage.
ON the Main Stage
The rock band “ABBY NORMAL” with lead vocalist Jana West. They didn’t start until after we were done. Hope to hear from this band again; Could they visit the NoCo foothills someday?