Breezy Spring Ride

CR 35 South: 8.80 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 44 minutes, average speed: 11.8

The wind out of the South was quite blustery today but we were determined to put on a few miles after work. We headed into the wind beginning our route so that we could enjoy a tail wind home. We have already surpassed the 22 miles for March 09 and we hope the weather holds to allow even more March miles. This could be our area’s first March ever with no snow fall!

A Neighborhood Jaunt

St. Charles & Home: 12.30 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 59 minutes, average speed: 12.3

We took a short ride into St. Charles for a few groceries. The temperature was in the low 50’s with a chilly North wind but we are still happy to be able to ride even if it's only for a short trip. We anxiously await warmer temps so we can get in some serious biking. Following is a list of bike rides/events we currently have scheduled for 2010:

• April 23--Bike Expo returns to the Twin Cities
• May 21 thru 23--COWS Spring Tandem Rally to be held in Middleton, WI
• June 5--Tour de Pepin in Lake City, MN
• June 29--Arcadia Memorial Ride around Arcadia, WI
• July 25 thru 31--Pedal Across Wisconsin (PAW) loops around Merrill, WI
• August 6 thru 8--PIGS Tandem Rally in Ankeny, IA
• September 3 thru 6--Midwest Tandem Rally (our 5th MTR) held in Shipshewana, IN
• September 24 thru 26--COWS Fall Tandem Rally in West Bend, WI
• October 15 thru 17--Southern Tandem Rally in Florence, AL

That should keep us busy this biking season. We won't be alone out there as many of our biking friends will be joining us at these same events. Let's get ready to ride!

March Biking Continues

St. Charles & Home: 12.68 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 1 hour 4 minutes, average speed: 11.8

Now that Day-Light-Savings Time is in effect, we can get some miles in after work. Today we rode the bike into St. Charles for a Subway sandwich and then back home. I sense we are biking stronger this year compared to the ‘09 season as the climb out of St. Charles did not seem much of a challenge. Of course, I’m writing this blog and Dennis might comment a bit differently. We were able to wear bike shorts and jerseys for this evening’s ride enjoying temperatures in the mid-60’s. I do hope the weather continues!

2010 Inaugural Voyage

Brewskies Route: 21.07 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 1 hours 41 minutes, average speed: 12.4

This was our first tandem ride of the 2010 season. The bike returned from its check-up on Saturday and the weather was nice enough Sunday (64°, slight wind) to put the new tires to a test. The bike rode like it was brand new—No funny noises or shifting problems! We did overdress for the day, which we tend to do each new season. I had on my layered fleece, long bike pants and overshoe booties and became very warm just a few miles down the road. It was so great to be back on the bike and we are very thankful for this early spring opportunity. Many vehicles welcomed us as a sign of spring returning. Their smiles said it all: Veerkamps are on the road, it must be spring.

On the Road Again!

Spring has come and biking season has begun. It's time to wake up the Tandem Adventures biking blog. We began the season with a trip to the Blue Heron Bicycle shop in Onalaska, WI to get the Rans tuned up and ready to ride. Kevin did another marvelous job making sure the bike would be safe and dependable. Seasonal repairs included: A new derailer, front and rear tires, new rear chain, handlebar grips for Dennis, replacement of 10 rear wheel spokes and a cracked rear fender, and the addition of new cables and a rear cassette. Most would comment that this seems like a lot of repairs but remember we put an average of 3,000 miles on this bike each year and we want each adventure to be enjoyable. So, we are now ready to ride and share our adventures with you all. Enjoy!

Indian Summer Ride

Chatfield Loop: 38.03 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 3 hours 21 minutes, average speed: 11.3

There was no waiting around today for better riding conditions—we were able to begin biking towards Chatfield at 9:30 a.m. with a temperature of 52°. The wind was blowing out of the NW which did hinder us some on the climb out of Chatfield. We both felt the strain of miles pushing into the breeze so opted to avoid extra climbs when we could. We rode the newly paved shoulder along Hwy 52 and it was really very nice. The distance on this busy road was only about 3 miles. We also took the gravel shortcut of 2 miles between Eyota and Dover. Bike shorts were the fashion for the day allowable due to the near 70° temps. We’re getting close to a total of 2000 miles for the season—one more trip to Brewskies should do it.

November Biking

Utica Loop: 20.94 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 1 hour 42 minutes, average speed: 12.2

We are back on the tandem today with a lunch ride to Brewskies in Utica. We decided to reverse the route and head south into the wind to get it over with. It was grueling until we turned north onto CR 33. From this point on we enjoyed a beautiful fall ride. The temperature peaked at 60° but we did need to cover up to protect ourselves from the chilly north wind. We were thankful to be out biking the neighborhood again.