Stationary biker in Pocahontas
Mon, Jul 26, 2010 | by Michael Morain
Louis Hammer has ridden RAGBRAI in years past, but this time he found something better. The farmer pedaled on an old stationary exercise bike near the route, just up the gravel road from the farmhouse where he has lived all but a few of his 90 years.
“This is more fun, by golly, because you get to see everybody pass by,” he said. “When I rode on the on the route, the only people I saw were the ones who passed me.”
He paused. “Of course, that was still a lot of people.”
He wore striped overalls, a long-sleeved shirt and a helmet to which he had attached a small American flag.
“You can’t kind more comfortable attire,” he said.
Hammer had posted a sign nearby with a greeting for one of the riders, a friend of his son’s from North Carolina. He was hoping to meet “the little lady” but hadn’t seen her as of noon.
And he was getting hungry. His wife, Jeraldine, had taken a few pies to a church stand in town and had promised to return soon.
“She said she wasn’t going to stay there, but I think she did,” he said. “I hope she brings me some dinner.”
After all, he was working up an appetite. When asked how many miles he’d pedaled so far, he looked at the odometer and was a little surprised.
“I’ve pedaled 7 miles just sitting here,” he said.
– Michael Morain
Tags: Pocahontas, RAGBRAI
Oh, Uncle Louie… Leave it up to you to find a great way to be involved and yet have the best seat in the house! Kudos.
(BTW, Register staff, it’s “Hammer”, but “Plummer”).:)
Love it! True Hammer spirit. Way to go Louie!
Keeping track of the ride from the East Coast – I’m a Pocahontas native who misses RAGBRAI. Looks like Mr. Hammer has found the way to enjoy it!
Well Uncle Louie, did you tell any jokes while you were out there? I’m sure you put a smile on everyone’s face, including mine! Happy days!
Uncle Louie, I’m jealous, I didn’t get to do RAGBRAI this year!
Thanks for the correction, Julie. I made the switch.
Michael Morain
Go for it, Uncle Louie.
I remember seeing you as I rode by. You had the best seat in the house.
Go!!!!
Leigh Z-Bird Zeitz
I loved my sign and the fact that he sat outside four hours! I didn’t end up riding by until 12:30 that afternoon and he had been out there since 8:30! How he ended up with my name on his sign is because my Aunt and Uncle live across the street from his son in Cary, NC and some how he got word that I would be on the ride and there it is! He was awesome and I was very happy to meet him!
We’re so glad that he got to see you, Holly! Louis and Jeri (did you meet her, too?) are two of the finest people you’ll ever meet and they were looking so forward to greeting you and all the other riders that day. Congratulations on making the ride!
Louie, Glad to see that Hammer spirit is alive and well. Rhonda