A Puerto Rican at RAGBRAI XXXV, Day 6 - LIVE from Dyersville, IA
The day began less than stellarly. We were late. While trying to ensure proper tire pressure, I broke the stem off Joann's rear tire. We had to follow the riders 10 miles into Winthrop. It was 10 a.m. before we got off to a start and when we did, the skies opened and it started to mist down on us. Little did we know the universe was conspiring to align something amazing to happen.
Right around 10:30 a.m., the rain subsided and we got into a good rhythm. I went along at a good clip straddling the dividing line on the highway. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see to my left the LIVESTRONG team, rapidly approaching to pass me. Just when their lead rider's wheel paralleled mine, I looked over and there he was.
I told Joann - my riding buddy with me on the trek - "there he is" and just floored it. I sped up my bike from 16 to 21 mph. I don't remember the speed after that. I locked my gaze on a pair of very familiar legs. The entire time, I yelled at everyone in my way, "to your left," "coming through in between," "coming through, coming through!" There was a fleeting moment I thought I wouldn't make it, but I pressed on.
Then, one of the LIVESTRONG riders non-verbally asked if he could come through and I let him pass. Right after that, he allowed me to speed up and once I did, I saw a clearing on the right hand side of the road. I knew if I took the chance, I would be slingshot into the right position. So I sped up again and before I knew it, I was looking right at Lance Armstrong.
I said, "Mr. Armstrong, welcome to Iowa." He enthousiastically said, "thank you." We then talked about how we had shaken hands last January at the Greater Des Moines Partnership's annual diner. I mentioned having handed him my business card and then he looked at me and if as something had clicked in his mind, said "yeah!" He might have been trying to be nice, but I'm choosing to think he was sincere and did remember the encounter - who knows.
I then said "I hope you have a great ride today and good luck with the team on the Tour the France." He said "thank you." Then I said, "say hi to Alberto Contador" (the current leader of the Tour de France and Discovery Channel team rider - a team which Armstrong partly owns). He smiled and I fell back, not able to keep the pace any longer.
I couldn't believe it. I pumped my fist in the air, screamed out loud and slowed down. Other riders approached me and asked if Armstrong was in the pack. Joann finally caught up and said, "you were caught up in some kind of vortex. You just took off."
She was right. It was amazing that I recognized Armstrong right away and took off immediately. It was amazing that I didn't crash and managed to respectfully and safely approach the front of a pack of 30 riders riding peloton style together.
Fitting that this dream of a ride should lead us to Dyersville, home of the Field of Dreams.
Oh and for the record, I RODE WITH ARMSTRONG!
