LeBeginning to LeSmamich

We started out with good intentions of getting you all updated throughout the week but darn it if we didn't get side tracked! That will happen when you are the life of the party and your presence is requested at all the finest beverage gardens. So here we'll try to give you the 4-1-1 on our week. Like alluded to previously, Saturday nights festivities in LeMars hampered our enjoyment of the early portions of Sunday's ride to Sheldon but when the band plays our motto is- DANCE! Our other motto is that there is a fine line between Saturday night and Sunday morning but that's another story...

So Sunday after a brief pause under a shade tree, we braved the 100 degree heat to enjoy a beverage with the Bad Monkey's at an off route bar in Hospers. Later that evening Sparkle ran into a group of ol' boy rugby players. Since Sugar and Sparkle have already been known to have a natural affinity for the sport, a most enjoyable friendship soon ensued. Although the wicked storm that crashed through Sheldon punctuated our beauty sleep with a lot of activity, we bravely headed out for Estherville Monday morning. Due to the great distance between these two towns, our lack of rest, and our ample application of party fluid Team Satisfied's STELLAR sag driver picked us up at arguably the best small town bar we've ever been to. Based on our new koozie collection, we believe the bar is called JR's. If you are ever in Melvin, we suggest you stop by.

Satisfied Sid’s radar picked up a “gentleman’s club” within spitting distance of the drive into Esterville, and the truck lurched off the road, not able to resist the magnetic pull of said establishment. Sugar, Sparkle and Sunshine were able to re-gain control of the truck and steer it much closer to the first loose-meat smamich of the week. Can’t beat a smamich and chips for $2!

80 Miles

Hey Kids!

We found some internet! We are so stoked! It is Monday and its not even five but we have already found our buzz for the evening. After a strong start on Saturday night, our Sunday ride was a little brutal but today seems to be shaping up just fine.

Team Satisfied has made friends with a number of new people including but not limited to- Team Comeoniwannaleiya, Team Bad Monkey (previously mentioned), Team Jackass (a new team), and Team DickenCider. If all goes well, one or all of us may be married by the end of the week...

Anyway, our goals of total satisfaction followed by more satisfaction have been hampered temporarily by the killer (literaly) thunderstorms last night. Our fantastic chase vehicle we've named "The Hilton" stood up wonderfully to the 60-70mph winds but that doesn't mean the cops didn't ask us to move it inside. Seriously we are all safe and healthy (discounting any alcohol induced ailments) and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family & friends of the rider we lost last night.

But back to the fun stuff- Team Satisfied is going to nominate our Satisfied Sid to the Sag Driver Hall of Fame. We know its only been 48 hours or so but we know that he is the best.

Anyway, the beer garden calls.

Rider Off.

Here we come!

WOOOO HOOOOO! Tomorrow morning is it folks! Team Satisfied hits the road to LeMars, Iowa, the start of RAGBRAI XXXIII (and also the ice cream capital of the world).

We couldn't be more ready. Even if our little band of crazy mo-fos redefines chaos on wheels, we are ready. We are ready to experience the satisfaction of a Ragbrai filled with good times and no drama. Team Satisfied is ready to do a little dance, make a little love, and get down tonight...

Here's hoping for smooth roads, tailwinds, and cold beer!

Rider ON!

P.S. If we get a chance- we'll update you from the road. But don't fear if you don't hear from us until after we get back. We're pretty sure we'll be able to remember most of the good parts...

whoa here's another...

Here's another picture for your wall! If you look close you can find at least one member of Team Satisfied!

For those of you who can't figure out just exactly where this photo was taken, QUIT DRINKING AND SOBER UP! Seriously, this was the scene at Lisa's during the BRR ride. We'd explain the BRR ride but that's a whole 'nother blog... just think of it as a one day RAGBRAI in the dead of winter. And we'll call it good there.

Rider Off.

A thousand words...

Oh fans of Team Satisfied! It is your lucky day! We have found a picture of Sugar suitable for framing! We are sharing it with you now! (She's the one on the left.)

Local establishments...

We at Team Satisfied believe in a balanced and progressive training program so this weekend to kick off our taper week, we decided we would forgo the strenuous and sweaty part of our training and focus sole on our partying skills.

After experiencing Burning Sensations in front of our hometown city hall with the Jaycees, Sunshine and Sparkle decided to drag one of the Bad Monkeys to the Whiskey River. Now Bad Monkeys maybe a rival team but it pays to make sure that your team has friends. Especially friends that know how to make beer even better. Did you know if take a normal light beer and mix it with a hard lemonade drink that the result is utterly delightful? However, a word of caution for our friends not in training- DO NOT FORGET TO EAT DINNER before enjoying these refreshing and potent concoctions.

Saturday night's team meeting started at Satisfied Sid's hacienda where the world famous washer game made its debut. Many thanks to Gordy for his hard work creating our Cyclone colored version of this midwest classic. For readers not familiar with this game of skill and strategy, you try to toss a larger washer into a 12x12 box with a coffee can sized cylinder in the middle from a distance- 1 point for merely making the box, 3 points for the can. The beauty part of this is that you can hold a refreshing beverage in one hand while tossing your washers with the other. Brilliant!

Later on after Stodd made his way to town he, Sugar, Sid, and Sparkle headed downtown to meet up with Sunshine. Things would remain fairly calm with a friendly round of fooseball being the highlight of the evening. Much like any of our other meetings there were no motions made, no discussions tabled, or actually anything remotely resembling a decision made. We were pretty well satisfied after our 12:30 am gyro and adjourned.

So readers, now we are in the short stretch. it 5 days and counting... we are so excited that we spit when we talk. Keep an eye out for us- we're on our way.

Rider off.

A not so dry run

Greetings fans of Team Satisfied! We are here to give you the full report of how our Not-So-Dry-Run went at the Bicycles, Blues & BBQ ride in the town where the lake is clear even if your vision isn't.

The day started out with a wonderful flat ride out of town and a couple, ok- three or four, beers at a lovely establishment called Mat's Place. The team was in full glory- Smiley, Sugar, Sunshine, Sassy, Sparkle, and Stodd were all present. Smiley and Sassy tried to prove that they could shoot superior stick, Sunshine & Sparkle showed them its all about having a few good shots when it counts. Other games included Trophy Hunter where Stodd tried to show Sugar how to handle a big gun. Sunshine, although licensed to carry a handgun, didn't seem to be any better at the Police Trainer than Sparkle.

Later in the day when Smiley pulled out the jet skis, Sparkle and Sugar ran into a bit o' trouble with the hansome DNR officer. Stodd, barely hiding his amazement, observed that if he had been driving instead of riding behind Sugar, there would surely have been tickets handed out instead of the friendly information filled warning. We don't want to brag (who are we kidding- we're bragging) but Mr. DNR didn't stand a chance after seeing our bicycle toned legs.

Since we were at the historic site of Buddy Holly's death anyway, we felt obliged to make a toast to all of the rockers lost there at a bar called Elly's. Although a touch on the smokey side since the pub is located in the basement of a guy's house and has no windows to the outside world, the selection of pull-tabs and the honor of seeing THE memorial BH guitar outweight the lung cancer we are all now suffering from.

After our winning streak ran dry we turned the corner to try our lucky at Rookie's. Stodd proved that just because he's a Ford fan that doesn't mean that he can't drive a mean race on the NASCAR simulators. After handing Sunshine, Sugar, & Sparkle a bitter defeat, he graciously fed the jukebox with enough hard core old school high school & college favorites that everyone soon forgot how they were bitter. Although another race did occur, with Sparkle taking the checkers first, the whole night seemed to be doomed when the power suddenly went out in the portion of the building controlling the video game AND the jukebox.

Never wanting to admit defeat, Team Satisfied mearly found our way a little closer to home and at an establishment with electricity. By now, it seems as though everyone was bit by the jitterbug and soon the dance floor pulsed with the power & grace of the dancing Team Satisfied. It was definitely here that we arrived at the ephiany that we have a theme song- don't cha.

Trust us- we are ready to go for RAGBRAI.

Rider Off.

The Greatest Country on Earth

We are constantly amazed at what effort people put into things that amuse them. Speaking of- Team Satisfied spent the long holiday weekend working on our support vehicle. Our dee-lux trailer now has wall to wall carpeting and screens on the doors! The stripper/shower pole will be completed by early next week (depending on when that devilish mass camping retailer gets us the goods).

We know we promised pictures of the rig but since we haven't gotten the digital camera fired up you'll have to settle for this picture of a puking pumpkin. You gotta admire the details...

Rider Off.