Bring on the Heat!

Dover Loop: 20.56 miles
TANDEM Pedal Time: 1 hour 42 minutes, average speed 12.0

With temperatures still in the 30’s and snow still coming down, we take advantage of any sunny day we have to get out and bike. I would guess that we are about one month behind our usual biking conditions this spring. Where are the 60-degree temps of last year? Maybe next week the snow will stop, the winds will be mild and the sun will shine for more than one day per week. The COWs spring rally is only 4 weeks away and we need to get in shape for some hill climbing—bring on the heat!

Spring Ride

Dover Loop: 20.53 miles
TANDEM Pedal Time: 1 hour 45 minutes, average speed 11.7

The sun finally came out today so we took time to enjoy it with a short bike trip to Dover for supper. The temperature was in the 40’s and by our standards, that’s a heat wave!

Because of the weather this spring, we have not been getting our usual warm-up miles but we have still been busy with bike business. We are building a recumbent trike that will be used for on and off road biking. Not sure what color to paint it yet but we have a few months to decide. Dennis will also be taking a stab at lacing/building the wheels for this trike—this may take some time but I have confidence he can do it.

Looks like more rain/ice in the forecast so we don’t expect we’ll be out on the bike again anytime soon. Oh well, more time for trike building.

Every Mile Counts

Dover Route: 20.60 miles
TANDEM Pedal Time: 1 hour 45 minutes, average speed 11.7

If we waited for a perfect day to ride this spring in Minnesota, we would still be waiting. The snow and ice storms received this March banished all hope of an early spring but we are finding the breaks between the storms to get out and pedal. This 20-mile route is always a good one to do early season to warm up the legs. Stopping at the Roadhouse in Dover halfway through is always a special treat but what made this ride even sweeter was the realization of rolling over 19,000 miles on the Rans since its purchase in 2005.

A Never Ending Season

Dover Loop: 20.62 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 1 hour 57 minutes, average speed 10.5

Another biking season begins on this 30-degree, sunny Saturday. Since we have never biked in January, we set our goal for just a few miles out and back but were enjoying this Minnesota winter ride so much we soon found ourselves in Dover warming up with a hot bowl of soup—yum! The wind was quite strong out of the southeast but our layers of clothing kept us very comfortable. We have now biked at least one day each month for the last 12 months and have hopes to continue biking on through the winter months left—a never ending season.

An Invisible Challenge

Dover Lunch Loop: 20.5 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 1 hour 45 minutes, average speed 11.2

Not sure we were really up for the challenge today. The winds were suggesting we not bike but we chose to ignore the warning. We pedaled west towards Dover and did not notice the force of the wind at all; in fact, we noticed our speed was 14.7 mph indicating we were biking in top form. It wasn’t until on our return trip that we were faced with an invisible challenge. How could something you can’t see require every ounce of energy to overcome? It crossed our minds that we might have to get off the bike and walk as the wind was creating what seemed like a climb that never quit and we were getting tired. We did pedal the complete route, however, sometimes going as slow as 4 mph. A recheck of our final speed confirmed our struggles, it dropped to 11.2—from one extreme to the other. So, the next time someone gloats about their bike speed, keep in mind that they might have been travelling with the wind at their back!

Record Miles

Dover Lunch Loop: 20.52 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 1 hours 32 minutes, average speed 13.2

We had time for a quick trip to Dover for lunch and to add more November biking miles to the bike. We have been very pleased with our 2012 biking season with record high miles for 4 of our 10 biking months thus far – February (75 miles), March (285 miles), October (415 miles) and November (133 to date) and looking ahead it appears we will be able to bike Thanksgiving Day. We have yet to bike in December so maybe this will be the year.

An Extended Season

Dover Loop: 20.66 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 1 hour 41 minutes, average speed 12.2

It’s a chilly day in the neighborhood. We decided on the Dover Loop again so that we could stop in at the Roadhouse for lunch. We knew we would be facing a cool Southeast wind on our return trip so the promise of a visit in Dover is always a nice treat. We have now set a new goal: to beat our highest November miles of 111 set in 2009. The snow has not fallen here in Minnesota yet so we will continue to enjoy this extended biking season.

A Dark & Chilly Tandem Ride

Dover Loop: 20.31 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 1 hours 32 minutes, average speed 13.2

Brrr, it’s getting cold out here. We couldn’t go far this evening because of the cloudy skies. We did bike to Dover but did not dare stop to rest for fear we would get caught on the road after dark. By 6:00 p.m., it became scary to be out biking even with all the bike lights on. We made it home just as the sun was sinking out of sight. This evening ride brought us to within 6 miles of totaling 3000 for the year. We hadn’t seen mileage like this since 2008.

We decided to gamble that we would be able to complete our mileage challenge on another day—there just has to be one more good biking day left before we end our 2012 biking season.

High Fashion

Dover Loop: 20.69 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 1 hour 29 minutes, average speed 13.8

Here we are into October already. The dryness of our summer has not been great for crops but it sure has made for a good biking season. I enjoyed riding in fashion today protected by my new specialized bike helmet. I now have a collection of 3 cracked bike helmets that I can’t seem to part with—any ideas of what I can do with them? We pedaled away from Dover’s Roadtrip Roadhouse and on towards St. Charles via Hwy 14. We wanted that one more opportunity to climb the category 5 hill taking us out into the country—really, we had some local errands to do before turning for home ending another nice biking evening!

Amish plow horse gathering hay in our field on the farm

Priorities

Dover Loop: 20.57 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 1 hour 31 minutes, average speed 13.4

As the work day dragged on, it was clear a bike ride to Dover’s Roadtrip Roadhouse Bar & Grill for supper would be a priority. We watched our time closely to make sure we wouldn’t be caught biking back home in the dark. Biking this time of the day can be very rewarding—quiet roads and awesome sunsets!

Supper Time

Dover Loop: 20.57 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 1 hour 41 minutes, average speed 12.1

I was so tired after work today but just the mention of a bike ride brought blood back to my brain. Dover was our destination for this evening and the promise of eating at the Roadtrip Roadhouse Bar motivated me to pedal into the surrounding hills along this neighborhood route. We enjoy the welcoming feeling we get each time we visit and the variety and flavor of food served keeps us coming back.

We enjoyed temps in the 80’s but could have done with a little less wind—20 mph out of the SW forced our average speed to decline but we still made it home before the sun fell from the sky.

Soups On

Dover Loop: 20.62 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 1 hour 42 minutes, average speed 11.9

It’s supper time in Dover again. We took the tandem out to prove we could bike to Dover and back without a breakdown. The rim and hub are operating beautifully and our confidence is building. We set out under cloudy skies and did get a few drops of rain near the end of our ride but we laughed it off and continued to pedal putting another 20 miles on the bike for this month of August.

2012 COWS Wrangler Ride—Lanesboro, MN

Hosted by Deb & Dennis Veerkamp and Michelle & Alan Andersen

As our rally date neared, COWS members began calling to register. We provided ride information, lodging suggestions and driving directions for those coming from afar. What was originally planned as a single day event became a wonderful 3-day mini vacation down on the farm. We salute each tandem team for making time to party with us along the Root.

Friday, June 22, 2012
Dover + Ma Daley Loop: 28.00 miles
TANDEM: Ride Time was 2 hours 22 minutes, average speed: 12.72

Kathi and John Johnson, our good biking friends from Wisconsin, arrived on Friday, one day prior to the start of the Wrangler ride. We planned ahead for them to join us for some additional riding around our neighborhood and to spend extra time with them before they left for their bike trip down the Mississippi River Trail—International Falls to New Orleans.

We biked to Dover for lunch and then followed Olmsted Co 10 to Ma Daley ridge before turning down Winona Co 35 towards our farm. We so enjoyed our conversations with the Johnsons as we pedaled up and down along today’s scenic ribbon of highway. Because we bike these routes often, we don’t always see the beauty that new eyes focus on when traveling in new locations. The day ended with a few friendly games of buck euchre and hopes for another good weather day for Saturday’s COWS Wrangler Ride.

Saturday, June 23, 2012
RRT Lanesboro to Rushford +: 50.56 miles
TANDEM: Ride Time was 3 hours 41 minutes, average speed: 13.6

On ride day, all eyes were on the weather waiting to see if the 30% rain prediction would cause us to change plans—not this time, we finally pulled off a rain-free event! And not only did the rain stay away but we were able to bike under cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid-70s—a biker’s dream.

Eight tandem teams met in Lanesboro at 10:00 a.m. sharp for announcements prior to taking off down the trail towards Rushford. Six teams hailed from Wisconsin and two from Minnesota. The group created quite a spectacle as we rolled down the trail decked out in our flashy club jerseys. Many heads turned as we passed and some even stopped us to ask what our purpose was.

We landed in Rushford around 11:30 a.m. ready for our feeding. The Creamery was called earlier and warned of our group descending upon them today. The staff did a wonderful job feeding our large group. After lunch, some riders decided to bike on towards Huston while others decided to slowly work their way back towards Lanesboro. Dennis and I kept with the Houston group for a few miles and then turned back towards Lanesboro. As we neared Whalan, it was decided that a slice of the “World’s Famous Pie” could not be passed up and what a good decision it was. We made it back to Lanesboro around 3:30 p.m. and packed up to head home to get ready for the Veerkamp Farm Cookout. Back at the Farm, volunteers Paul and Barb were busy preparing food for our group and also served as the welcoming committee for any Wrangler riders arriving before Dennis and I could get back from Lanesboro. All 8 teams eventually found their way to the farm to take part in the final event for today—the farm feast. Many teams brought food to share and Dennis and I provided a variety of brats hot off the grill.

The only thing missing today was the presence of good friends, Michelle and Alan Andersen still recovering from a recent bicycle accident. We hope they get well soon and will be pedaling down the roads with us on our next journey.

Sunday, June 24, 2012
Boyum’s Loop: 15.52 miles
TANDEM: Ride Time was 1 hour 52 minutes, average speed: 13.2

We awoke early to continue our Wrangler weekend with two remaining tandem teams. We decided on a 15-mile route around our neighborhood with Art & Deb and John & Kathi. Both teams commented on the many hills encountered on this loop—a calculated total climb of 733 feet—but all enjoyed the scenic views gained because of each hill and valley. The beauty of the early morning sky was applauded by our group of six as we continued pedaling to our finish back at the farm where we said good-bye to these couples and wished them a safe trip home.

Thanks to all participants of this 2012 Wrangler ride on the Root. Your presence helped make this event the success that it was.

Participating teams:
Deb & Dennis Veerkamp   St. Charles, MN
Kathi & John Johnson      Dorchester, WI
Art & Deb Tillman           Elkhorn, WI
John & Joan Laabs         Waupaca, WI
Marsha & Bill Peters        Lew Lisbon, WI
Don & Nancy Zietlow      Iron River, WI
Harv & Sue Burman        Fond Du Lac, WI
Josh & Claire Burman      Mankato, MN

Event Support:
Alan & Michelle Andersen Spring Valley, MN
Paul & Barb Storsveen Winona, MN

Total Wrangler Weekend Biking Miles:  94.08

Lunch Trip

Dover Loop: 20.66 miles
TANDEM: Ride Time was 1 hour 38 minutes, average speed: 12.7

We knew we would not have much time for biking this weekend so took this opportunity to bike the 20-mile loop to Dover for lunch at the Roadhouse Grill. The temperature was in the 80’s and winds were mild. We sure are missing Michelle and Alan on these Friday jaunts and hope they will be back on their tandem soon.

Just the Usual Neighborhood Loop

Dover Loop: 20.53 miles
SINGLES: Ride Time was 1 hour 43 minutes, average speed: 11.8

The month of April winds down with one last trip to Dover for supper. The winds were constant creating just enough force to cause us to pedal on the downhill glides but we can’t complain as the sky was blue and the temperature was hovering at 60 degrees—a wonderful finish to another fabulous spring riding month.

April 2012—Total Biking Miles 241.35
Accumulative Miles 618.08

Breezy Dover Loop

Dover Loop: 21.62 miles
TANDEM: Ride Time was 1 hour 36 minutes, average speed: 13.4

We again faced the strong winds out of the northwest as we biked towards Dover—a great test for endurance and leg strength. We passed the test and enjoyed the breeze at our back as we turned for home. The temperature was in the 60’s which is always unexpected this time of year in Minnesota and we are enjoying every opportunity we get to pedal down the road. This was also a great test for my new camera. The images are very clear even when zoomed in while on the back of the bike—a big improvement from my Canon 1400.

Following our ride, I made an adjustment to our cyclocomputer which needed a closer tire measurement so that we were more accurate with our speed and miles biked. The number to remember for the future: 2070 mm.

Dover Loop with Friends

Dover Loop: 20.46 miles
SINGLES: Ride Time was 1 hour 48 minutes, average speed: 11.2

Alan and Michelle Andersen joined us for a ride to Dover for a quick lunch. Their tandem was in the shop for a tune-up so we all biked on our singles. The wind was quite strong on the return trip and gave us that exhausted feeling when we were done. We plan to have many more Fridays out biking with this couple as Dennis will begin having every Friday off at the end of April—yeah!

To Dover for Supper

Dover Loop: 21.44 miles
TANDEM STATS: Ride Time was 1 hour 32 minutes, average speed: 13.9

This was our first after-work bike ride for this season. The time change the previous Sunday gave us just enough daylight to make a supper trip to the Roadhouse in Dover and get back home before the lights turned out. The extra hour of light combined with the unusually warm temperature—in the 60’s throughout this evening—has made us very thankful for the record-breaking miles we have been experiencing.

It’s amazing the sights you can see in your own neighborhood when you take the time to look. We passed many flags blowing in the wind, Amish buggies going about their daily business, hawks flying circles around the sky and friendly drivers smiling behind their steering wheel as they passed us by, always delighted to see the Veerkamps back out on the bike.