Funny Flamingos

Chatfield Loop: 44.63 miles
TANDEM Pedal Time: 3 hours 36 minutes, average speed 12.3

We finally had a day to bike with no worries. We journeyed along the country roads towards Chatfield where we stopped for a DQ treat. The temperature was in the 80’s and the skies were blue throughout our ride.

Along our route near Eyota, we spotted a pond and as we got closer, noticed flamingos on its edge. In my excitement, I halted the bike and quietly inched towards the pond to get a photo before they could run away and as I got closer, was disappointed to learn a joke was played on me—the birds were not real! Someone had quite a sense of humor. We had a hearty laugh and then continued on our journey towards home—a delightful little voyage.

A Road of Our Own

Chatfield Loop: 44.92 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 3 hours 19 minutes, average speed 13.5

This is really what fall is all about—no destination, no time requirements, beautiful scenery and no worries. We ended up 20 miles from home in Chatfield, MN on this spectacular biking day. After a short stop at the local Dairy Queen, we got back on the bike to pedal a few miles out of Chatfield on Hwy 52 before turning onto County Road 7 which would loop us back to Eyota, Dover, St. Charles and then home.

A surprise was awaiting us when we reached CR 7. Our turn towards Eyota was blocked by nasty orange and white stripped barricades. What to do now? Upon further inspection by my captain, it was concluded that we could lift the bike over the construction zone to the other side.

One good thing about the road block signs is that once you are on the other side, you have a reprieve from traffic coming up behind you. It’s like having a road of our own.

There are always extraordinary things for us to see when we are out on the bike but the fall activities remind us that our 2012 biking days are numbered. But for now, we will continue to enjoy the sound of our freewheel spinning down the road.

September 2012 — Total Biking Miles 454.46
Accumulative 2012 Miles — 2541.22
Total Miles on the Rans — 18,238.06