Trail Miles

RRT—Lanesboro to Preston+: 26.88 miles
TANDEM Pedal Time: 2 hour 18 minutes, average speed 11.6

We packed the tandem in the van and headed to Lanesboro after calling to check on the condition of the Root River Bike Trail. We were told the trail “should be in bike-able condition.” We pedaled just past Preston when we had to turn around because of that wonderful white stuff that just won’t melt away this spring. The trail was full of debris caused by the heavy snows forcing tree branches to snap and fall onto the trail. We had to swerve around many low limbs and downed branches. It looks like we can still expect some winter-type weather to continue through April but we will continue to watch for that small window of opportunity to get back in the saddle.

This was also the last day the full trail will be open before a section from Lanesboro to Whelan closes for repairs. Six bridges will be worked on and pavement will be widened with a planned reopen for the month of July.

All was quiet and peaceful along the trail with only a few walkers and fishermen about—all friendly people just trying to get out and enjoy spring 2013.

Early Season Warm-Up

Boyum Loop: 15.43 miles
TANDEM Pedal Time: 1 hour 22 minutes, average speed 11.2

It’s April already and we still don’t feel like the biking season has arrived. The snow is still on the ground and the temperature is trying to move into the 50’s but the air is still cool causing us to stay close to home. This short trip around our neighborhood provides many hilly challenges and is great for getting our legs reintroduced to climbing. By ride’s end, we were warmed up and the sun was shining but not for long. By late afternoon, the snow returned with fat white flakes falling to the ground. Maybe the next time we ride the snow will be gone, the wind will be minimal and the sun will shine for an all-day riding trip.

Warming Up the Legs

Dover Route: 20.62 miles
TANDEM Pedal Time: 1 hour 50 minutes, average speed 11.1

After calling the Lanesboro Chamber to check on the condition of the Root River bike trail, and finding out snow still covered much of the trail, we decided to pedal the roads to Dover again today. We have now been able to bike 2 days in a row but it looks like bad weather will be coming our way again for a few days—what a frustrating spring it has been. Soon we will be able to enjoy biking in our summer bike clothes and ditch the layers we have been forced to wear this spring—melt snow, MELT!

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.

An Early March Excursion

Amish Market & Home: 8.70 miles
Singles: 44 minutes, average speed 11.6

This was an early March, after work excursion on the singles. The tandem was still in Onalaska with Kevin so we took the singles out for a short ride. Being half through the month of March, we began to worry about the possibility of getting any March miles on. We had just experienced a snowstorm earlier in the week and the snow was piled high along our ditches but the temperature and sunshine prompted us to take a chance. We did get rather chilly by rides end but it felt so good to be back out on the bikes. In my haste to begin our ride, I forgot one major component. I had my cell phone for music, my gloves for warmth, my yellow jacket for visibility, my cyclocomputer for data information, my booties for foot comfort…but I forgot my HELMET! We travelled a few tenths down the road when Dennis noted this omission. Gotta get my head in the game! Our early riding season will not happen this year. The 2 weeks we spent south last year really made a difference. We will have to play catch-up with our September and December plans for this 2013 season.

February Madness

Amish Market & Home: 9.05 miles
Tandem Pedal Time: 52 minutes, average speed 10.2

February continues to produce winter-type weather this year in Minnesota. We are already halfway through the month and are fearful we will not get another opportunity for a bike ride this second month of 2013. So, we bundled up on this chilly Wednesday evening, making sure to have face covering, and forced the bike up the driveway to put on just a few miles. The bike fought us the entire length of our driveway, slipping and sliding on the snow and ice but once on the paved road, she came around and provided a very enjoyable ride.

We have hope that March will bring temperatures more conducive to biking so that we can truly declare the beginning of our 2013 biking season.

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.