Wohoo – 15.4 miles on the bike ride! It was sooo much fun!

The trail I took was 7.7 miles each way and was perfectly split – half Iowa corn fields and farmhouses, half lush and beautiful Greenbelt trail!

Would you like to see some pictures?

This part of the ride, going past fields and farms, was just so peaceful and “simple” if you know what I mean. I just love that part about Iowa.

A sweet bridge:

Entering the Greenbelt:

Iowa is so diverse – one minute you’re riding next to corn, the next you’re surrounded by dense, green nature.

My halfway point was the town of Adel, IA. Home to the best ice cream shop EVER – the Dairy Stripe – which my family and I used to drive out to all the time in the summer. These days it’s called the Dairy Shoppe and it’s got a Subway attached to it…hmmm I guess some things don’t remain the same do they?

Around mile 12 my rump started hurting something FIERCE! Here’s my “ok, you’ve only got 3 miles to go, you can freaking do it” face.

And I did it! YAY!

This was a cool bike ride, because to my knowledge, I’ve never taken myself so far distance wise, using my own body. Yes, I had a bike to help me along, but the farthest I’ve ever taken myself is 13.1 miles on my half marathon. Do you know what I’m saying? It was neat!

After my bike ride I dropped off my parent’s car (I used it to put my bike in and drive to the trail) and shared a delicious plate of nachos with mi madre:

Then I came home, cleaned the house and am thinking about going grocery shopping in a bit. I usually go on Sundays but I’ve got some saweeeet plans for tomorrow afternoon so I won’t be able to go then!

Tonight, I’m thinking about making Ben go back to the Dairy Shoppe to get an ice cream cone with me…I forgot all my monies on my bike ride so I couldn’t buy anything when I get there – darn! Oh well, I’m not sure the 7.7 miles back with a belly full of ice cream would have been all that comfortable…

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When/if you workout outside, do you prefer to be in more residential areas or on trails?