The Green Girl and Lexa rode 267 miles across the cornfields of Iowa over the course of three days and completed their second Tour DaVita.
This year's tour raised over $900,000 to benefit The Bridge of Life – DaVita Medical Missions.
The Bridge of Life is dedicated to improving kidney health and saving lives by bringing treatment, education, and hope to underserved communities around the world. Since its inception in 2006, the organization has conducted Medical Missions in Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Cameroon, Kenya, South Africa, India, Jamaica and the Philippines.
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Tour Davita is a fully supported endurance event. DaVita partnered with an active travel company, Backroads to make the 'The Moving Village' come to life.
While we were out riding, the Backroads crew would tear down the campsite and transport everything to the new location. Upon our arrival each evening, our bags were waiting for us in our respective tents.
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All the meals for the duration of the tour were catered.
Amenities such as a Village Store, a charging station, and laptops were thoughtfully provided at each campsite.
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The headwinds were relentless and the flat cornfields offered little respite.
In true 'Spirit of the Ride' fashion, Lexa and I tried to offer some wind resistance by riding in front but unfortunately, we were told we were too short for drafting.
I guess paceline leader is not in our future.
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We saw Amish horse-drawn buggies and wagons.
We passed a large, white house with a number of buggies parked outside and many young boys and girls in the yard. Since it was Sunday, it was assumed that they had gathered to attend classes of faith.
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The boys were dressed in long pants, shirts, and suspenders. A few boys had felt hats on their heads.
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Tour DaVita - Day 2 was 80 miles of rolling hills from Independence to Manchester.
Cedar Valley Waverly Dialysis helped us kick off Day 2 with a clinic visit.
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The Univeristy of Northern Iowa marching band provided entertainment in the packing lot of the facility.
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Day 2 was significantly colder than Day 1 and the fierce headwinds continued.
We encountered some light rain mid-morning.
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Lexa and I delighted in seeing the first glimpses of Autumn colors.
When we reached Independence, I went for a short, therapeutic run.
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Day 3 was also the hilliest of the Tour days.
Lexa and I quickly discovered no matter how quickly I pedal downhill, everyone passes us - even riders who aren't pedaling!
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I want to thank everyone who helped me raise money for The Bridge of Life.
I also want to give a very special thank you to my teammates at the CasITa. Your support means more to me than you will ever know. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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