Friday, August 31, 2012–Rally Day 1
We spent many months planning this event along with a host of volunteers from our Couples on Wheels (COWS) tandem club. Our club presidents, Joan and John Laabs did an outstanding job organizing committees and attending meetings with the Madison Chamber and a variety of others to make sure each aspect of this “Olympic” biking event was addressed. The time has now come, so let the show begin!
We left home early Friday morning for the 3-hour trek to Middleton, WI. We had a Post MTR Tour errand in the Dells prior to meeting up with our club presidents in Middleton. We arrived at the Middleton Marriott mid-morning and our room was ready. We were upgraded to a corner suite in this up-scale establishment and this was a real treat. The Marriott was a wonderful place for this event and the staff was at our beck and call throughout this holiday weekend. We lunched at Sofra’s Family Bistro with John and Joan and then boogied back to the Marriott to get ready to ride. We had a window of 2 hours free time to get our Friday route in before our 3-6 p.m. bike storage duties which were then followed by a 5-7 p.m. assignment at registration—just a little overlap here.
We biked with the Andersens for this hilly and hot 13-mile ride. We were so happy Alan and Michelle were sharing their first MTR with us this year.
A variety of volunteers worked many months to put together this Tandem Rally in Middleton, Wisconsin. Our Co-Chairs, John and Joan Laabs, designated the following committees to aid them in making this MTR a success: Vendors & Seminars headed by the Whites, Bike Storage headed by the Peters, Registration headed by the Jordans, Decorations headed by the Olsons, MTR Booklet headed by the Petersons, SAG and Finance headed by the Dobbersteins, MTR Post Ride headed by the Veerkamps and the MTR Routes headed by the Gabelts and Bill Hauda – It all came together this Labor Day weekend.
This busy day ended with a jersey purchase in the vendor area, supper at Claddagh’s Irish Pub with 9 couples and a visit with Michelle and Alan in our Marriott room. Lights went out in room 401 at 11:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 1, 2012–Rally Day 2
We were up early for a McDonald’s breakfast before attending to our Bike Storage shift scheduled for 7-9 a.m. Marsha and Bill excused us a little early so that we could join the mass start beginning at 9:00. Many tandems (approximately 425) were in line awaiting final announcements, the police escort arrived and we were off. We chose the 50-mile route with its 2200 feet of climb which took us to Lodi for a delicious lunch.
We were up early for a McDonald’s breakfast before attending to our Bike Storage shift scheduled for 7-9 a.m. Marsha and Bill excused us a little early so that we could join the mass start beginning at 9:00. Many tandems (approximately 425) were in line awaiting final announcements, the police escort arrived and we were off. We chose the 50-mile route with its 2200 feet of climb which took us to Lodi for a delicious lunch.
Tandem bikes lined the roadways as they were escorted out of the Middleton area towards Lodi. The weather was perfect and winds were minimal which made for a fun day of riding with this amazing mass group.
Dennis and I had little time to visit at the rest stops. We needed to get back to the hotel and collect photos as riders finished their miles for the day. These photos would be used in a movie to be run during the social hour on Sunday evening. Many stopped by to share their photos of the day’s ride and I was happy with the variety of shots received. Michelle Andersen was at my side lending support for this project.
This first day of mass riding was a delightful success with miles of smiles and colorful conversations as riders reconnected with tandem teams of years past.
Today’s route ended in downtown Middleton at the site of the Mustard Museum. Many were sampling mustard and purchasing their favorite flavor wrapped in our very own MTR mustard label.
After the riding was done, a special event was planned from 3-5 p.m. at the Capital Brewery. I sent my camera over with Joan and Kathi and the following was captured while I was busy collecting pictures for the movie.
A variety of seminars were offered this evening beginning at 4:00 p.m. My favorite topics included YOGA STRETCH FOR TANDEMISTS taught by Susan Pribyl, GOING WEST & GOING EAST by Kathi and John Johnson and finally the ABC’S OF TANDEM MAINTENANCE by Jack Goertz. Following the seminars, our group of 18 gathered at Spreckers for an entertaining evening meal. With us were the Johnsons, Andersens, Hughes, Solomons, Paulsons, Petersons, Whites, and Michelle & Steve.
Lights finally went out in room 401 at midnight after some work in preparation for the Sunday Social.
Sunday, September 2, 2012–Rally Day 3
This morning began with a call for help. A detour was being announced for the medium and long routes because of road resurfacing. Dennis and I were biking the medium route from the remote start in Cross Plains so could offer help by making sure each rider leaving from this location had the route update. We finally began biking the route at 9:45 a.m. and had little time to visit at rest stops but we did get another wonderful lunch and a chance to get our picture taken with the Sauk City parade cow before heading back to the Marriott on an altered route.
This morning began with a call for help. A detour was being announced for the medium and long routes because of road resurfacing. Dennis and I were biking the medium route from the remote start in Cross Plains so could offer help by making sure each rider leaving from this location had the route update. We finally began biking the route at 9:45 a.m. and had little time to visit at rest stops but we did get another wonderful lunch and a chance to get our picture taken with the Sauk City parade cow before heading back to the Marriott on an altered route.
We encountered many hills and lots of wind on route today but we were also surrounded by many friendly riders from many different states across the USA.
We were back at the host hotel by 1:30 p.m. to begin setting up for the production of the MTR 2012 movie to run at 5:30 p.m. during the evening social hour. Ryan from the Marriott was very helpful and knew what needed to be done to get the show up and running and promised he would be near when the doors opened to the live show. I was also thankful for the support of Gary Solomon—tandem friend and movie maniac. As the riders entered, many showed their appreciation with words of thanks and positive reviews. How special they all made me feel.
The MTR banquet was well attended with approximately 50% of the riders paying the extra $30 per person to enjoy the music, food, conversation and get the inside scoop on upcoming MTR locations. The evening was still young following the banquet allowing another gathering at Spreckers. We enjoyed winding down around the fire pit out on the patio where we discussed our future biking plans with the tandem teams we have come to call our close friends. As the evening went on, Dennis and I began to realize that we would not be able to bike our traditional sunrise ride on the last day of MTR 2012. We were exhausted and we still had the Dells Post Tour to attend. After a goodnight to all, we rode the elevator one more time up to room 401 and fell into bed for another good night’s rest.
Monday, September 3, 2012–Rally Day 4
As MTR 2012 was winding down, we watched riders getting ready to bike the breakfast route. Dennis and I met Joan and John at Sofra’s one last time before heading to the Wisconsin Dells to set up for the Post Ride. MTR 2012 continues to gather accolades as teams send their thanks for a well-run event. Way to go COWS!
As MTR 2012 was winding down, we watched riders getting ready to bike the breakfast route. Dennis and I met Joan and John at Sofra’s one last time before heading to the Wisconsin Dells to set up for the Post Ride. MTR 2012 continues to gather accolades as teams send their thanks for a well-run event. Way to go COWS!
MTR 2012 Ride Statistics
Riders of MTR 2012 represented 25 states and Canada (37 from MN and 55 from WI)
The state with the most teams was awarded to Illinois with 67 registered riders
A total 425 teams were in attendance as of August 31, 2012
Our total MTR 2012 ride miles: 96Future MTRs:
MTR 2013—Fairborn, OH
MTR 2014—Fort Wayne, IN
MTR 2015—Illinois
MTR 2016—Quad Cities, IA
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