Apply the Math

Douglas Trail –Pine Island and Back: 26.11 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 1 hour 37 minutes, average speed 16.0

The tandem came to work with us today. The promise of 60-degree temps gave us the motivation to pack all bike gear and hit the trail following or work day. We used the van to change out of our work clothes and into our MTR jerseys and bike pants. The weather was so nice; we didn’t even need our bike jackets. We took off down the trail at break-neck speed and then a realization hit me: If you increase your pedal speed, you can get more miles in before the sun sets. What a revelation! That average speed of 16 mph is not a typo.  It is a speed we are proud of and it did take some effort and concentration—no talking, Dennis, just pedal. The camera even had to stay in its bag (except for one shot).

We were back at the van before dark and heading for home by 6:00 p.m. Each mile we bike is one more towards our goal of 3000 by season’s end—will be make it? Just 250 to go!

Douglas State Trail

The Douglas State Trail is a paved 12.5 mile, multiple use trail developed on an abandoned railroad grade. This trail crosses outstanding rural scenery, traversing some of the richest agricultural land in Minnesota. The trail begins in northwestern Rochester, travels through the small town of Douglas (for which the trail is named) and terminates in Pine Island.