More amazing generosity from strangers

I’m near Des Moines Iowa, staying for free in the home of someone I just met yesterday, in a guest bedroom. Last night, he and his wife took us out for supper, which was also free. In a moment, there’s more free stuff from strangers. But first, I’ll show some pictures of the place we stayed. I love his garage.

A moment ago, I said ‘us.’ I’m traveling with a few people. My friend Sam(antha) is with me, and this her first bike tour. Our host took Sam out for her first ride on a tandum.

A few hours have gone by, and I’ll refer to something from the start of this post, which is more generosity from strangers.

Sam and I are now in a cozy SUV with our gear and bikes in back. We’re getting a free ride from another stranger from Des Moines to Council Bluffs. That’s the start of the ride across Iowa, which is called RAGBRI.

Back to generosity, our driver, Phil, was going start riding in Council Bluffs like Sam and I are. But now, he has some problems to fix in his appartment in Des Moines, so he’s not starting in Coucil Bluffs. That means he’s driving us for 2 hours even though he doesn’t need to drive to Council Bluff anymore.

There’s many reasons I love bike touring, but the amazing generosity of strangers is the best part. The news doesn’t cover that nearly enough.

And there’s more good news. When I left Minnesota, I was unemployed for over a year. Yesterday, I was offered the job I was hoping for, working as a Junior Developer in C#.

A great job and ride are in front of me. Life is good.

6 thoughts on “More amazing generosity from strangers

  1. People are kind!! Great post.
    What’s the job? Didn’t quite understand what c# was either.

    • Sorry about be being unclear. Writing a blog post while enjoying a conversation I think a car takes more brain power than I can muster. Anyway, the job is in computer programming, in the language called C#.

  2. So youre doing the legendary ride across Iowa with several thousand cycling friends!
    Enjoy riding and watch out for politicians on the loose like Kentucky dogs!
    ….and a hearty Mazel Tov on you new job!!

    • Great hearing from you, Kent! My first day of Ragbri is starting out with rain tapping against my tent and bright flashes if light further up. This Iowa thunderstorm actually feels mild compared to our windy night in Kansas, where the walls of this same tent blew flat upon my face while I lay inside. If I remember right, you doing “improve yoga” inside your tent during that Kansas storm, to the sides of your tent up. I better stop writing and start packing to start a very early day of cycling with my Minnesota friends.

  3. Thanks for yet another great post, Steve. That was very nice that guy – your host who you had just met the night before – and his wife to take you in, treat you to dinner, give Sam(antha) her first tandem ride, and then to drive you all the way to Council Bluff…. Wow! The world could sure use a few more folks like him and his wife. I’m now on the official RAGBRAI website looking at the route you and the others will be taking. Good luck! And please keep us updated.

    Karl

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