It wasn't so bad, after all. Trepidation surrounded Day 4 of the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa as the National Weather Service forecast highs in the upper 90s and a heat index above 105. Fresh in the minds of riders was the long, brutal Day 1, when temperatures were not quite so high but there was a strong headwind, scarce water and unrelenting sunshine. But at 67.9 miles, Wednesday's route from Iowa Falls to Waterloo wasn't as lengthy. The temperature mounted throughout the day, but never got past the mid-90s. Overcast skies blocked the worst effects of the sun. And a steady tailwind helped riders sail along.