March 29, 2024

Friendliness rubs off on guests

Day two of RAGBRAI was a bit of an easier one for Melanie Amadick of West St. Paul, Minnesota, and her teammate, Mary Anne Kessler of Norwalk.

While they were taking their turn driving the support vehicle, the "SAG wagon," for their team Big Gear Girls, the two ladies were soaking up all that Creston and RAGBRAI had to offer.

They were part of a team of nine women. On Monday, seven were riding, while Amadick and Kessler drove the support vehicle.

They were telling stories about what they’d seen, anxious to meet up with the team members when they arrived in Creston.

“I like to download, tell stories about, 'Oh I did this, Oh I did that,'” Amadick said.

Added Kessler: “It’s a lot of campfire stories, telling about your day.”

The two frequented Adams Street in downtown, perusing the vendors waiting for the rest of the team to arrive in Creston. They made several trips to Adams Street Espresso for coffee, food and conversation with other RAGBRAI riders and support staff.

Amadick rode the first day between Glenwood and Shenandoah. Her eyes were opened quickly to what riding RAGBRAI is all about.

“I mapped it out. It was 40-something miles,” she said. “I never figured in the elements, the heat, the hills. I had so much excitement. I was wiped after the first stop. We stopped in Malvern, and I’m glad we stooped and looked around. I got to Tabor, and it was hill after hill. I started seeing emergency vehicles all around and coasted. It was the toughest route.”

Kessler first started riding RAGBRAI three years ago with her sister-in-law. Her sister-in-law owns a fitness studio in the Twin Cities, where most of the riders were from.

For Amadick, it’s a breath of fresh air from her routine of work as a customer service representative supervisor and being a mother to five children.

“I spend my whole life giving,” she said. “This week, it’s about me and all my adventures."

The towns along this year’s route made the experience enjoyable for both.

“It’s small town, USA,” Amadick said.

Kessler was soaking up the hospitality shown by Iowans along the route.

“It’s the towns,” she said. “My favorite thing is getting to the towns and talking to people. I love seeing every little kid wanting to give you water, cheering you on. I love seeing people on their porches as you drive by.”

Four members of the team were riding in their first RAGBRAI, including Amadick.

Two days in, she was already hooked.

“I’m already making plans about what to do next time and what do we need," she said.