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My sister Stacey was a motivational force behind Team Shaver this year. She was very excited to go on her second RAGBRAI, and it was contagious. I do the ride every year, so it takes on a bit of routine for me, but it is always nice to have some along who don’t do it on a regular basis, because it generates a level of excitement.
Anyway, Stacey wrote an e-mail at the end of the ride, summarizing her thoughts. I thought they were appropriate to include here in my journal.
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Dear Shaver Family,
Congratulations on another successful RAGBRAI! Even though it was more difficult than the past two years because Steve wasn’t available to coordinate, we didn’t have any campers and we didn’t have a dedicated support crew, it was still a good time. Kudos to the team for doing what needed to be done. Here are some notes.
Team Shaver 2008:
Craig Shaver
Scott Shaver
Diane Shaver
John Shaver
Joe Rohe
Stacey Rohe
Jeff Shaver
Josh Shaver
Jake Shaver
Zach Shaver
Ben Shaver
Abby Shaver
Anna Shaver
David Fazio
Connie Shaver (support)
Mary Shaver (support)
Special thanks to:
Steve and Mom for driving a lot of the team to Missouri Valley.
Stacey and Joe for driving and Craig for “riding like the wind” on Day 1 so that everyone was able to ride. And Diane for offering to drive on Day 1, even though we found a way to let all the riders ride.
Josh for driving on Day 2. And Jake and David for helping with setup.
John for driving on Day 3.
Stacey for driving on Day 4.
Connie and Mary for driving on Days 5, 6 and 7.
Mom, Sheryl, Shay and Kathy Elliott for picking everyone up in Le Claire.
Jeff for keeping his tandem after Anna went home so that Abby could ride with him.
Abby… for being our hero J.
Things we’d like to forget:
No bathroom access, tornado watches and late night partiers in Missouri Valley.
85 mph winds, hail and rain in Harlan at 2:00 am.
Sun and 90 – 100 degree heat on Days 1, 2 and 3.
Hills, heat and 77 long miles on Day 4.
Riding in the rain on Day 5.
Fireworks until 1:00 am in North Liberty.
A single file line to dip tires in the Mississippi.
Things we’ll enjoy remembering:
· Host family Don and Evelyn Nystrom in Ames.
· Host family Mandy and Jason Lekin in Tama.
· Host family Eric Cameron in North Liberty (except for the fireworks).
· Family… priceless.
Again, thanks to everyone who contributed to make this RAGBRAI for Team Shaver possible. Thanks!
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