Saturday, September 8, 2012

Jesse James Bike Tour–Northfield, MN

60-Mile Desperado Route: 65.48 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 5 hours 6 minutes, average speed 12.7

imageThe Jesse James Bike Tour had been on our To-Do list since early in our biking career and this year we finally had the day free so we could attend.

We preregistered for the ride in August and paid the $60 ride fee to bike the 60-mile Desperado route. Complimentary Subway sandwiches were served at ride’s end. The route was pretty flat but the winds during the first half of the ride were challenge enough for us.
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We joined 1200 riders on this picture perfect riding day. The windmills along our route were a constant reminder that wind was evident. A cheering section came in the form of the girls in the photo above. We thanked them for their support as we continued to grind past them and on up one challenging hill.
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The tour had many rest stops along the way and we took advantage of each one to get relief from the wind.
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We travelled through many little villages along the way enjoying the route more once we turned east and the wind was at our back.
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We finished back in Northfield and parked the bike along side the school and then sat to enjoy the subway sandwiches being served by many Jesse James Tour volunteers. As we ate, we heard a crash behind us—the wind tipped our bike over and smashed my favorite bike helmet. This is now the third helmet I have lost because of this type of accident and I believe I have now learned my lesson—do not, at any time, leave a helmet hanging on the stoker’s hand rest.

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