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(Continued From Page 5) in pur Volkswagen bus and take off. But you don't have to buy a van to bike. Several service-able carriers that attach to bumper or eartop are available. The best of the cartop carriers is one you can build yourself with a minimal investment of time and money.For carrying gear, I .suggest an aluminum rear carrier and a set of saddle bags — panniers they’re called. Several excellent waterproof nylon bags are now being sold at prices from around $20 up to around $40 a pair. If you can afford them, get them.You'll also want a handlebar bag and a small bag that attaches to the bike’s saddle for carrying small things such as tools, toothbrush, camera and so forth.'If you’re going to camp, buy the lightest equipment you can afford — lightweight nylon tent and down sleeping bags. A one-burner gas stove and a set of nesting kettles will permit you to cook anything as complicated as you're likely to carry.Take a couple of spare inneryourself how to pack all of thislt;efficiently — and you’ll never stop figuring it out, no matter how many trips you take.But before you pack up and take off, be sure you know where you're going. The best method is to plan your route on county highway maps.Your county road engineer can sell you a map of your county. For the other 98, send 15 cents per map plus 3 per cent sales tax and a list of the counties you want maps of to the Map Room of the Iowa Highway Commission in Ames.These maps show every road in a county and the road's typeNote it well: A real\brick outhouseJof surface. I have a complete*set — quite a bargain for about$15.---------OK. You’re ready to go. Whatcan you expect out there? In aword, the unexpectable. No two of our rides, whether on a route we’ve taken dozens of times or on a road new to us, has everI'iann coma Tf imv /tlcoseveral miles to a creek, presenting a sweeping view of patch-w'ork crop colors.We kept going through more of the same (at one point, I saw a brick outhouse, a real brick outhouse, and almost fell off the bike shouting at Ann to note it well) and arrived in Garrison,after a ride of some 28 miles, at about 2 p.m.• Our purpose in going toGarrison (pop. 888 in 1970) was to plumb the depth of its cultural life. You’re laughing? Stop,The town looks as if life has passed it by — several stores empty, a two-story brick factory stands vacant (at first glance) next to the railroad tracks. Only the grain elevator is busy.But appearances are deceiving.We had come to Garrison to see the Old Creamery Theatre and a potteiy we knew were here, and were rewarded with more.With the help of directions, we made our way to the pottery, which used to be a field-tile factory, and there met Clary Vinson. the nntt.p.r TT*r
Newspaper Details
Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Iowa, US
Sun, Mar 25, 1973
Page 73
Full Page
Clipped by
University O.
IA, USA 11 May 2023
Other Publications Near Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines Daily Leader
Des Moines Register and Leader
Des Moines Iowa State Register
Iowa Industrial Progress
Des Moines Daily News
