I’m told by Toledo Mayor Pam Wood that this is the only stoplight in Toledo. I actually caught up with her last week as she was painting it bright red. You can check out the story on KWWL.com – including video of her painting it!

I’m told the light has sentimental value to Toledo residents. And while it is quaint, I do have to say it’s odd seeing people leaning on a working stoplight.

There were actually people taking pictures next to it today. I guess it’s one of the sights to see around here. So, if you’re ever in Toledo – I guess you should stop and take a picture. But, be careful. It’s probably not as safe when cars are actually driving through the intersection.

-jj

Posted under RAGBRAI

I’m a big fan of having a customized playlist for every part of my life. I have road trip playlists, workout playlists, cooking playlists, napping playlists. I have a specific sound track for almost every mood and activity. Maybe I’m a big nerd to waste so much time, but I believe the right music can enhance any situation.

Anyway, late last night, instead of going to bed like I should have, I spent an hour or so creating a RAGBRAI playlist and then uploading it to iTunes. So here it is, my top ten songs for the ride. If you want to download them and you’re on iTunes, just go to the iMixes and search RAGBRAI. The whole playlist costs $9.90.

Bicycle Race – Queen
The Distance – Cake
Life is a Highway – Tom Cochrane
With a Little Help From My Friends – Ringo Starr
Shake It – Metro Station
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger – Daft Punk
Gotta Get Through This – Daniel Bedingfield
Here It Goes Again – OK Go
Beat It – Michael Jackson
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

Other songs? Leave a comment.

-jj

Posted under RAGBRAI

As much as there is a positive comraderie among everyone on the ride, someone along the way pulled a dangerous prank today.

All of the riders are talking about tacks scattered on the road today. Apparently it was in several spots because one rider said he had four flat tires today. Another rider I spoke with from Florida said he didn’t have any spares and caught a ride into town on a Tyson van. Both riders told me that 50-100 riders were knocked out of the ride at the first patch of tacks.

Both riders were able to avoid injuries. But, they said with the high pressure tires on many of these bikes, it was extremely dangerous and someone could have been killed. So far there’s no official word from organizers about how many bikes may have been broken or investigations into how this could happen.

Hopefully the rest of the route is tack free. And it’s a good thing there are plenty of bike shops on the route (which I blogged about last night).

-jj

Posted under RAGBRAI

Staying on the topic of food, I’m ready to go off on a tangent about my obsession with fair food. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love fair/vendor food. I think it has some psychological tie to happy childhood memories.

Normally I’m a fresh fruits and veggies kind of person, but when I get a chance to eat the greasy, unhealthy deliciousness that is fair food – I get pretty excited. Brats, barbeque, funnel cakes, ice cream…I love it all. I have to admit, it’s probably one of my favorite parts of being here on RAGBRAI.

And while I consider myself a fair food connoisseur, I found a few unusual items today. The Indian taco was a new one, but I also saw a sign for "Pickle Dawgs." I was intrigued. I like pickles, so I thought this might be a good adventure. The ladies at the tent assured me it brought in many repeat customers, and for only $1, I couldn’t resist.

For those of your who haven’t experienced this, a pickle dawg is a dill pickle with cream cheese on it, wrapped in a piece of deli ham. And after one bite, I think this might work its way onto my list of favorites.

I’m also a big fan of ice cream. I have to admit that it’s a real weakness. I never buy it to keep at home because I would only eat ice cream – and that’s just not healthy. So, whenever I do indulge it’s always a treat. Homemade ice is especially great. Well, here’s some homemade ice cream that doesn’t require any arm power.

I haven’t bought any ice cream yet, but I definitely will before heading out of town.

-jj

Posted under RAGBRAI

One of the highlights of wandering around today is finding things I’ve never heard of before – like Indian tacos.

Members of the Meskwaki tribe are here making what they call Indian tacos. It’s basically a piece of fried dough with all the traditional taco toppings on it.

I got a little cooking lesson from Alma Ward. She’s a 71-year-old Meskwaki woman and her friends tell me she’s related to a famous chief. Alma says she’s been making the fried dough since she was a little girl and her sister taught her how to make it.

She takes a ball of dough and puts some flour on it before flattening it with her hands. Last she pokes a small hole in the middle before putting it into hot lard, not oil. Alma says the hole lets the heat get through the middle of the dough so it will puff up.

Alma says the Indian tacos are a local favorite. Watch the video of her making the traditional treat.

And yes, I bought a taco to try, and now I can say from personal experience that it’s delicious!

-jj

Posted under RAGBRAI

Well, I’ve been in Tama and Toledo since this morning, and I’m loving it. I feel a bit more invested in this town since I’ve done several RAGBRAI prep stories here. And it’s exciting to see it all come to fruition.

The theme is Moovin’ and Groovin’ and everything is coming up cows. From the hoof prints on the street to the purple cow drinks (it’s like a root beer float but with grape soda).

Coming into town, riders go through a "barn" complete with corn lining the sides and there are even a few live cows to greet them. They looked a little tired by the time I got there.

Check out the video of riders reaching the end of the road…for today at least.

More to come. The wireless is working today so that should make my life easier…

And Tyler, to answer your comment, I’ve honestly never played Guitar Hero before. But I might give it a try since it’s for a good cause. I probably won’t try the tournament because they are using the hardest setting during the qualifying rounds, but I think I can play one song for $1. I’ll be sure to get some video of it if I have time.

-jj

Posted under RAGBRAI

While I’m sure the planning committee in Ames felt that spreading everything out was a good idea, my feet don’t agree. They are dirty and tired. I thought about taking a picture, but nobody wants to see that – even me.

As thousands flock to the festival area for food and music, I’m rubbing my aching muscles and looking forward to a good night’s sleep. I know I didn’t ride today – so I shouldn’t be complaining, but lugging all my electronics from one side of Ames to the other has worn me out.

So, while the night is just getting started for many, especially the locals, it is definitely winding down early for me.

Be sure to stay tuned as I head to Tama-Toledo tomorrow. There’s the promise of a petting zoo, butter sculptures, authentic Meskwaki food and Guitar Hero.

Oh, speaking of Guitar Hero, I promised my buddy Mike that I would help get the word out about his Guitar Hero tournament. It’s to raise money for choir and band kids to take a trip next year. Qualifying rounds are from 2-5 p.m. Click here to find out more. I plan to drop by and say hello at some point.

You can see recent images from a Web cam in downtown Toledo and watch as the city wakes up and prepares for the riders to descend.

Until tomorrow…

-jj

Posted under RAGBRAI

While wandering around today I ran into the fix-it area. There are ten bike shops with mobile workshops on the RAGBRAI route. Not only have these shops been helping riders prepare for the big ride, they’re helping with all the problems along the way.

Besides being bike pros, these shops are the only authorized vendors of official RAGBRAI gear.

I stopped by to say hello and grab some pointers. Most of them had tents set up right by their makeshift shops just in case they have to work through the night.

Keep up the good work guys!

-jj

Posted under RAGBRAI

I was just stickered by one of the crews here. And as much as they begged for me to wear the sticker on air, I told them I’d give them a shoutout on my blog instead.

They call themselves the "eclectic cyclists," also known as "Team Tired." And they are definitely representative of the diversity on this ride. I think every team member was from a different state (I caught at least Iowa, Missouri and North Carolina.)

And like so many of the teams here they have a Web site. On it they say, "There ain’t no hills in Iowa?" An interesting point. I had always thought of Iowa as a pretty flat state, but I’m sure many of the riders think otherwise.

So thanks for saying hello Team Tired, and good luck tomorrow!

It’s well into dinner time and I hear the vendors calling my name. Next stop: the entertainment districts.

-jj

Posted under RAGBRAI

After the destruction of the last two months, the frivolity of RAGBRAI seems a bit out of place. I’ve spent almost every day talking with families who have lost everything in either a tornado or the floods. And it’s a difficult transition from so much sadness to the laid back atmosphere here in Ames. But, it’s something I think many Iowans needed.

But, even in the midst of this giant party, the victims are not being forgotten. Tonight there’s a concert planned in one of the entertainment districts to help raise money for EMBRACE, a local disaster relief charity. The Nadas and Styx are headlining.

And EMBRACE is one of the charities KWWL has chosen to partner with. KWWL is working to release a book and DVD chronicling the EF-5 tornado and historic floods of 2008, with part of the proceeds going to EMBRACE.

- jj

Posted under RAGBRAI