Windy Trail Ride

Tri-County & the Douglas Trails: 54.54 miles
TANDEM Pedal Time: 4 hours 26 minutes, average speed 12.2

Is the bike season officially here? Snow is still in the forecast but on this beautiful day we need not worry. The temperature shot to 80 degrees on the sunny side of the trail. We started off on the Tri-County Trail near Eyota and biked the complete trail to Plainview and back in the morning for a total of 27.73 miles but we weren’t ready to quit just yet so drove to Rochester to bike the Douglas Trail to Pine Island and back to add another 26.81 miles to today’s ride. The trail was very busy with walkers, skaters and cyclists. It’s great to see everyone enjoying the trail.

April Miles: 198.33
Total 2013 Miles: 277.92

Million Dollar Ride

Douglas Trail + Rochester Extension: 33.13 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 2 hours 43 minutes, average speed 12.1

Being the day before Thanksgiving, we slipped out of work early to begin biking the Douglas Trail northwest of Rochester, MN. The weather was gorgeous—reaching 74 degrees which is rare for mid-November in Minnesota. We were able to bike in our usual summer clothing without the layering of our winter bike gear.

We continued on the Douglas Trail to Pine Island and turned back towards Rochester. We still had time before the sun set so decided to check out the newly paved bike route connecting the Douglas Trail to Rochester’s inner city. We heard of the “million dollar” bridge built for pedestrians and cyclists and came upon it just a few miles from the Trail exit. The bridge was awesome! It took us over busy Hwy 14 and continued to wind towards the ponds at Cascade Park—all was very beautiful and we were very impressed with what Rochester has done here.

We truly enjoy exploring the unknown on the bike. We get excited about the unusual discoveries we find along our path to nowhere. We pedaled back to the van waiting at the Douglas Trailhead, packed the bike up and were heading for home just as the sun was beginning to set. Because of this bike outing, we are now only 7 miles from breaking our 2007 season total of 3251 and the weather looks like it will hold for at least one more day.

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.

Biking the Rochester Trails

Rochester Trails: 34.68 miles
TANDEM: Ride Time was 2 hours 47 minutes, average speed: 14.0

Today we met with bike friends, Alan and Michelle Andersen, in Rochester, MN to bike the Douglas Trail to Pine Island and back. Again we had a gorgeous riding day with temps in the 70’s. We stopped in Pine Island at the Island Bar & Grill for lunch and enjoyed mixing our own flavors of slushes. The ride back to Rochester went fast and Dennis and I still wanted more riding once we parted with Alan and Michelle so we decided to drive to Essex Park and check out the trails there—rather disappointing. We just can’t seem to find enjoyment biking in this urban city which uses sidewalks as bike trails that repeatedly cross busy traffic. We much prefer biking the roads where we can be seen clearly by motor vehicles. I am thankful I have such a great captain watching out for his precious cargo.