Triking Along the Root River Trail

Neighborhood Test Ride & RRT to Harmony: 55.10 miles
TRIKE Pedal Time: 5 hours 41 minutes, average speed 9.8

After taking the trike out for a short neighborhood jaunt and making a few minor tweaks, I was ready to introduce it to the Root River Trail with a challenging ride from Lanesboro to Harmony. The first half of this route was very hilly but on the trike I just continued to crank up each hill with no worries of going too slow and tipping over. I reached the top with just enough energy to pedal to the Crunchy Side for a break before enjoying the downhill coast back to Lanesboro. The trike handled better than expected and I counted 7 “WOWs” from bikers passing by. The unusual paint job seems to draw attention.

While breaking in Preston, we began a conversation with an Iowa bike group and realized we had met them before at the 2012 PIGS Rally in Cresco. Keith and Mary Wherry, Cresco bike shop owners, showered Dennis with compliments on the trike design and build. The trike proved to be a worthy addition to my growing bicycle collection.

Total June Miles: 285                  Total 2013 Miles: 742

The rain this season has put us behind for total miles.  Last year at this time we had double the miles, however, the weather had a lot to do with the completion of the trike in just 3 months, much earlier than expected.

Riding the Trails

Root River & Harmony-Preston Trails: 60.39 miles
TANDEM Pedal Time: 5 hours 39 minutes, average speed 11.3

 

This late April snow storm surprised us but didn’t last long. We were back on the bike the following week!

The temperature took a huge jump today—into the 70’s—and we seized the opportunity to add more April miles on the tandem.

Because of the strong winds, we drove to Lanesboro to bike the trails. In an effort to prepare for the COWs Spring Rally in Lake Geneva, we coaxed our legs to climb all the hills we could find on these two bike trails.

We stopped in Harmony at the Crunchy Side where Miles welcomed us back with free drinks. The people of Harmony sure seemed to be happy to see us return—many smiles and street conversations with the locals.

 

 

 

 

Dodging Bullets

RRT Lanesboro-Fountain-Harmony: 58.46 miles Tandem Pedal Time: 4 hours 36 minutes, average speed 12.6

The weatherman was promising an amazingly high temperature on this mid-November day so biking has to be on our list of must do’s. The early morning sky was gray and bleak when we set out on the Root River Trail. The temperature was in the 40’s so we dressed in our late season gear. We climbed up to Fountain first and enjoyed the glide down. As we began to climb up towards lunch in Harmony, we began to shed some of our outer clothing as the temperature was now in the 60’s and would reach 79 by ride’s end. With our bright yellow jackets now packed in our bike packs, we felt a little vulnerable as the hunter's bullets rang out around us. Can bike helmets stop a speeding bullet?

While resting in Harmony at the Crunchy Side, we realized we would reach our 111 goal for November and are now only 235 miles away from a total of 19,000 miles on the Rans. This would require the snow to hold through December but anything’s possible. Let’s go for it!

A Chilly Pumpkin Ride

RRT – Lanesboro to Harmony: 46.11 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 3 hours 35 minutes, average speed 12.8

The strong winds and cool temperatures put us on the Root River Trail again today. This was also the opening day of the Pumpkin Ride on the Root. We, however, did not see pumpkin riders out on this crisp morning. We pedaled to stay warm stopping only to perform a bit of trail maintenance required due to the strong winds and storms we have been getting.

Once in Harmony, we stopped at the Crunchy Side for another quiet Friday lunch until the seven brothers from Iowa arrived—a loud but very friendly group. They were also cyclists but not on bikes this weekend—“too cold” said one brother.

With the leaves gone from the trees, we were able to see more wildlife than usual on the Trail: Cardinals, blue jays, turkey, “flying” squirrels scampering under our tires and one deer being hauled by hunters in a wheel barrow.

We had to chuckle once we neared the parking lot where our van was waiting—it looked so lonely sitting there all by itself—where is everyone? I guess the 39-degree temperature must have had something to do with it but we sure did enjoy this late October biking day along the Root.

Will we make our 3000 mark for this year? We’re getting close but our season is also nearing its end—the pressure’s on.  Stay tuned to find out.

Almost A Century

RRT and HPT: 83.87 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 6 hours 33 minutes, average speed 12.7

Today was a play day in and around Lanesboro, MN. We packed the tandem in the van and drove to Lanesboro to begin what we hoped would be a 100-mile biking day. We started pedaling at 8:30 a.m. towards Rushford then turned the bike to head back to Lanesboro. On our way back, we came across Quinten and Glorie Ann Robley from Canton whom we just saw recently at the PIGS Tandem Rally in Iowa. We had a short visit and then continued back towards Lanesboro.

We now had 40 miles on the bike but wanted 60 more so we continued along the RRT towards Preston and up to Harmony. We stopped for lunch at the Chrunchy Side Grille happy to have a total of 60 miles accumulated thus far. Will we make 100 before 5:30 p.m. when we would have to stop to get ready for our dinner/theatre date with Alan and Michelle? As we neared the trail junction at Isinours, it was 4:00 p.m. We debated going up towards Fountain but decide that would make us late for our 5:30 reservation at Riverside on the Root so we turned the bike towards Lanesboro again, satisfied with the 83 miles we were able to ride on this beautiful near-fall day.  We fell short of our goal by 17 miles today but will try again another day before this biking season is over.

2012 PIGS Rally – Cresco, Iowa

Thursday, August 9, 2012–Pre Rally Day 0

This rally actually began for us on Thursday evening with a quick trip to the Blue Heron Bike Shop in Onalaska after an evening call from shop owner, Kevin. He did the impossible for us again by completing repairs at record speed—the tandem was ready to roll. This now meant we could fulfill our plan of biking from home to the PIGS Rally in Cresco, Iowa. This day was also our 32^nd wedding anniversary and as a gift, I finally received silver. No, it did not fit around my neck but to all who understand bike parts, it was a very substantial gift: A Phil Wood hub for the tandem’s rear wheel and boy is it sweet! We thanked Kevin and drove home to pack our panniers for our self-supported trip to Iowa.

Friday, August 10, 2012–Day 1
Home to Cresco, Iowa: 58.53 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 4 hours 41 minutes, average speed 12.4

We left home this Friday morning at 7:30 a.m. surrounded by birds singing and puffy white clouds dancing across the blue sky. We were bound for Cresco, Iowa to attend our 5^th PIGS (Paired Iowans Going Somewhere) Tandem Rally. The van would be staying home using only pedal-power to make this trip.

We biked on country roads to Lanesboro, MN where we picked up the Root River bike trail followed by the Harmony-Preston trail that took us south into Harmony for a quick lunch stop at “The Crunchie Side”. The food here was great and the staff made us feel like old friends. After licking our plates clean, we were sent on our way with wishes for a safe journey.

The next cue on our route sheet instructed us to find Hwy 139 to continue south towards Iowa. This roadway was unfamiliar territory but we found it to be lightly travelled with rolling hills and paved shoulders once we left Minnesota. Just over the border we began to see signs for Cresco and watched for the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail that would lead us directly into Cresco and to the Super 8 motel—host accommodations for this rally.

Liz was at the desk of the Motel when we arrived early for check in. She had our room ready on the ground floor to allow our bike to join us in our room. We removed our 50-pound luggage from the bike and returned to the lobby to await the arrival of Dwight and Pat Beavers, the PIGS 2012 Rally organizers. As registration commenced, it was evident that this was going to be another charged PIGS Rally—what a lively group! Robert and Faith Ericsson were in the crowd as were Quinten and Glorie Ann Robley whom we haven’t seen for a few years.

Friday, August 10, 2012–Day 1

Ice Cream Ride: 10.07 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 1 hour 8 minutes, average speed 8.8

The Ice Cream ride was scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and all 23 teams were ready to ride through the town of Cresco in search of our ice cream treat. While enjoying our treat, Dwight entertained us with his famed banana song. A small group of riders then gathered at the Teluwut Grill House & Pub to visit and have a drink. Keith Wherry, volunteer and Cresco bike shop owner, escorted us through town towing his hand-made trailer behind his bike. When it came time to head back to the Motel, I was invited for a spin in his chariot. Faith was charged with taking photos but she just wasn’t quick enough for the fast legs of Keith Wherry. We all followed Keith back to our Motel, huddled close in the dark of the night.

Saturday, August 11, 2012–Day 2

Long Route to Decorah: 59.77 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 4 hours 48 minutes, average speed 12.4

After breakfast in the Motel lobby, the teams met to ride. We headed south of town at 8:30 a.m. 50% of today’s riding was on trails and 50% was on the hilly roads of Iowa. We travelled as far southeast as Decorah where lunch was served at the Elks Lodge—the sandwiches were very good.

Our trip to Decorah included an unplanned surprise: Ward Bugweg agreed to take us on a private bicycle tour of his town. Ward and his wife, Jackie, were scheduled as guest speakers at our evening banquet. We learned that they just got back from bicycling around the world—a trip that took them 3 years. We felt honored to have Ward as our guide. He took us to some of the geological sights found in Decorah and we even had the chance to go caving.

Ward and Jackie parted from us at the town of Calmar and we continued our journey back to Cresco on the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail, making it back to the Motel just in time to ready ourselves for the 5:30 p.m. social—a mile walk for us.

The Prairie Farmer Rec. Trail was named for a radio show once broadcast throughout the Midwest. The trail occupies the right-of-way of the former Milwaukee Railroad, which ran between Calmar to Cresco through these parts.

The banquet was fun and Ward and Jackie’s talk was very interesting. However, Dennis and I decided we would not be seeking to follow in their footsteps. Our adventures will remain on the calmer side compared to the challenges faced by this young couple. Their adventures are posted at:

http://fromthebenchesoftheworld.blogspot.com.

As we walked back to the Motel, we decided we would join the group once more for a Sunday breakfast being served at Keith and Mary Wheery’s and then we would depart for our 60-mile trip back home. So far the weather has cooperated. We needed just one more day.

Sunday, August 12, 2012–Day 3

Cresco to Home: 58.28 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 4 hours 49 minutes, average speed 12.0

It was agreed the night before to begin this final rally day by biking to the Wheery’s home in Cresco for breakfast. All teams were to meet at the Super 8 Motel at 7:00 a.m. and ride out together. We were in agreement until we checked the forecast for the day. We said our goodbyes in the lobby of the Motel explaining that we wanted to get as far towards home as we could before the predicted rain caught up to us. As we pulled away, it was apparent that most riders chose to leave their bikes in their vehicles and drive to the breakfast gathering then head for home.

On this closing day of the 2012 Summer Olympics, we were faced with an Olympic challenge of our own—climbing the many hills of this un-glaciated region of SE Minnesota. Home was 58 miles away and we anticipated rain during the journey. We reached Harmony, MN by 8:30 a.m. and stopped at the Village Square for breakfast. We are never alone on these journeys. We always have great friends calling to check on us. After ordering our food, Michelle and Alan called. They had planned to bike out to meet us on the Harmony-Preston Trail but the possibility of rain changed those plans. Dennis and I suggested they stay home and dry. We then continued biking down the Root River Trail with a planned stop in Lanesboro to check the weather radar. We had a small window of clear skies so made the decision to climb out of town on Hwy 250. We had to encourage each other to keep the momentum going. With 40 miles on the bike, we were thankful the traffic we encountered respected our right to be on the road. It’s funny that we would meet one driver coming out of Lanesboro—the bicycle center of MN—that did not appreciate seeing us on the road. He chose to harass us with his continued use of his horn. We can only hope that our friendly smiles as he passed made his day a bit brighter.

We managed to crawl to the top of this category #5 hill powering our 50+-year-old bodies on with the determination of a true Olympic team. We were awarded the gold that awaits every cyclist at the top of any challenging climb. We now knew we could make it the rest of the way home without needing to call for back up. We still had more hills to climb but the miles remaining were decreasing quickly. The rain did hold off until we reached home which reminds us that the best biking conditions can be found on cloudy days even when rain is in the forecast.

The PIGS rally is always an enjoyable event. The 23 teams attending were well-fed and entertained throughout the weekend making this gathering another tandem rally success thanks to the organization of Dwight and Pat Beavers and their team of volunteers.

Happy to be HOME!

Total 2012 PIGS Rally biking miles: 186