Blind RAGBRAI rider learning smells of Iowa

Sun July 29 2007
Posted Jul 29, 2007
1,551

BY EMILY CHRISTENSEN, Courier Staff Writer CEDAR FALLS --- Clark Rachfal is like many first time RAGBRAI riders. He's still getting used to the long days. He is enjoying the people, the food and communities that welcome the riders along the way. But, Rachfal's experience is also unlike many others. The Maryland man is legally blind. He is riding the route with the Verizon team and his tandem partner, Andy Masterson. Though both are riders this is their first real outing together. "We trained for about 100 miles, but that's nothing," Masterson said. While many riders are taking in the sites of rural Iowa, Rachfal said he finds himself relying on his sense of smell to clue him into his surroundings. "We'll be going down the road and I can smell corn, or pie," he said. "I can now distinguish between the smell of a cow and a pig." "The pig is much worse," Masterson said. Though the ride is only halfway over they both say there are plenty of tales to tell. Like the one about the 71-year-old man who has completed every RAGBRAI on a 1941 Schwinn. Or the tandem team who tried to ride with them Monday. Masterson and Rachfal couldn't keep up. "We have youth, strength and good looks. They have the experience," Masterson said. But it is the food that will live forever in their memories. "You can eat anything at any time of day. That is one of the biggest selling points," Masterson said as he finished a gyro. "You can have a pork chop or pie at 8:30 in the morning." 3:30 p.m. Armstrong greeted like a rock star on Hardball Some of his team members had just rolled into Cedar Falls when Lance Armstrong took to the stage Wednesday afternoon. The seven-time Tour de France winner joined Chris Matthews of Hardball on the University of Northern Iowa campus shortly after 3 p.m. A small crowd gathered around the stage awaiting the star of this year's ride. A few of Armstrong's teammates, wearing the yellow and black Livestrong jerseys, were on hand to show their support. Rob Gray of Chicago was only three years old when he lost his father to colon cancer. "Lance has been very supportive of our team and very encouraging," Gray said. "I wanted to come out and support him. He's done so much for cancer. He has supported us 100 percent and I want to support him, too." The 150 team members raised over $350,000 for cancer research and education. Gray also addressed the rumors that Armstrong may leave RAGBRAI early to cheer on his Discovery Channel teammates in the Tour de France. "I think it's just that, rumors," Gray said. "I think he is committed to us and will stay. But, if he decides to go, that's his choice." Armstrong was greeted by everyone from sweaty and tired RAGBRAI riders to the Peet Junior High cheer team. His interview with Matthews covered everything from stem cell research to politics to doping scandals. 1 p.m. RAGBRAI riders eat their way through Iowa The average RAGBRAI rider spends about $35 each day keeping their body hydrated and nourished. In every town they are greeted by vendors selling everything from pork chops on a stick to funnel cakes and mini donuts. And when you eat three or four times a day, it doesn't take long to spend $35. Ribeye sandwiches will set you back about $5. A brat costs $2.50. Nachos and batter fried corn on the cob are each $3. Lemonade or smoothies cost upwards of $2 depending on the size. A pasta meal, including a breadstick, will empty about $6 out of your pocket. And then there is the pie. Everyone loves the pie. Well, almost everyone. "Not me," said Brian Merrill, a rider from Monticello, Ill. "I like Mr. Pork Chop." Merrill's first meal comes about 10 or 15 miles into the ride. He seeks usually seeks out a church's pancake breakfast --- the meal fills him up and the carbohydrates give him energy for at least the next few miles. Dawn Cooksley, a rider from North Liberty, said she tries to bring her own snacks to keep the cost down throughout the week. "I don't think I could ride after a big meal," she said. But after a week on the road sometimes you have to seek out other options. Dave Hutton, a support driver from Correctionville, Iowa, said he tries to visit some of the church dinners. "You can only eat so many burgers," Cooksley said. The riders agree that $35 budget would be blown in short order if the afternoon or night was spent in the beer tent. "I can't drink while I ride," Merrill said. 12:00 p.m. Riding on borrowed wheels Road testing a bicycle is a luxury most buyers are never afforded. But for several days this week RAGBRAI rider Sandra Milasta was given that chance. Bike companies from across the country use the statewide ride as a way to showcase their newest and best products --- and lucky riders are also able to use the bikes for one leg of the trek. Sandra Milasta has taken a new bike out each day. "They are great. I feel like I can race on them, but I'm probably not going that fast," she said. This is Milasta's first RAGBRAI. Though she now lives in Memphis, Milasta grew up in Munich, Germany. She is using a charter service, but riding each leg with her boyfriend Oliver Sturm, also of Germany. Today Milasta tested a Giant bike. Though some of the companies have large demo fleets Giant is still working on theirs, said Jason Overman, a company representative. Each of their 17 bikes has been in use each day of the ride. "Next year we hope to have a bigger fleet," he said. "This ride is what caused us to start up a demo program." Rich O'Neil, a Giant representative, said all the companies work hard to fit each rider with a demo bike similar in size and weight to their own. "If the fit isn't relatively close, they could be in some serious trouble at mile 40," O'Neil said. In addition to the new bikes, Milasta and Sturm said they are also enjoying the Iowa hospitality. "It's amazing to see all the effort the little villages put into this," Sturm said. "We feel so welcome and normally that isn't the case when you are on a bicycle." 10:30 a.m. Riders, campers rolling into Cedar Falls If the early bird gets the worm then the early RAGBRAI rider gets the good camping spot. By 9:30 a.m. Randy Lau of Omaha had already made the hourlong trek, by car, from Hampton to Cedar Falls. His tent was up under a large tree, the air mattresses were full, and his 12-year-old son Zach had been recruited as a volunteer in the quiet camping area. Though it was Lau's first year riding with his family he is a veteran of the trek across Iowa. For 15 years Lau drove the support trailers for an Omaha-based group called Pork Belly Ventures. The group of cyclists now boasts close to 500 riders. "There's not as much partying when you are with the kids, but it is really cool," Lau said. "The kids are having a ball and there hasn't been much fighting." Today Lau's wife Shelly is riding tandem with their 9-year-old daughter Marissa and another friend. Randy said Zach needed a break. "Shelly is used to this. She used to race. The other day Zach was struggling to get up a hill and Shelly was pulling Marissa on the tandem with one hand on Zach's back --- and passing people," Randy said. "I learned a long time ago to swallow my pride whenever I ride with my wife." Randy expects his wife and daughter into town sometime before lunch. Then it is off to the water park for a much needed cool break. By 10:30 a.m. temperatures in Cedar Falls had already reached 73 degrees and were only headed higher.