COWs 25th Anniversary Rally—Lake Geneva, WI

Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19, 2013

Rally Day #1: Friday, May 17, 2013

Lake Geneva, WI to Richmond, IL: 31.25 miles
TANDEM Pedal Time: 2 hours 26 minutes, average speed 12.7

We arrived in Lake Geneva well before check in and were surprised to learn our room was ready for us. This gave us much needed time to prepare for the wild and crazy weekend ahead. Our room was wonderful with a door out to a private deck overlooking Geneva Lake. We took some time to breathe deeply and enjoy the view before joining the commotion beginning at the registration desk in the hotel lobby. The organization of our rally hosts allowed Dennis and I to take part in all rally activities.  As new secretaries of the club, we expected to be on duty during registration times but our fabulous hosts had everything covered.

After having a quick lunch at Gino’s, we rallied to ride with three Missouri teams and a few Wisconsin members. The route took us southeast through rolling farmlands and forests to Pell Lake and then on towards the Wisconsin/Illinois border. We rode through Genoa City and into the charming town of Richmond, IL, stopping at Skoopers for an ice cream treat—Moose Tracks, Yum!

A descent to Big Foot State Park held a beautiful panoramic view of Geneva Lake. Climbing out of the park, we rode past several lakeside mansions before descending back to the lake and our hotel.

We enjoyed a quite supper at Sprecher’s with Kathi and John Johnson which was followed by the COWs social hosted by Dick and Jackie Homan. We enjoyed visiting with old and new club members. Rally day one ended with a quick officer’s meeting and a final visit with Dennis and Ingrid Hughes.

Rally Day #2: Saturday, May 18, 2013

Lake Geneva, Burlington and Powers Lake: 47.16 miles
TANDEM Pedal Time: 3 hours 32 minutes, average speed 13.2

We awoke to another sun shining day—great for this pedaling vacation! The 59 teams were gathering in the parking lot of the host hotel for a planned start time of 9:00 a.m. We always enjoy the sea of multicolored jerseys and the excitement as the police escort sends us on our way. All routes rode together for the first 14 miles towards historic downtown Burlington, known as Chocolate City, USA. We followed the broad scenic valleys of Como Creek and the White River.

We looped around Powers Lake and the Nippersink Golf Course before returning to Lake Geneva with time to wash up and COW-pool over to Yerkes Observatory for a 3:00 p.m. private tour. The observatory was established in the 1890’s and is known for having the world’s largest lens-type telescope.

Yerkes is a 100-year-old observatory owned by the University of Chicago with five research telescopes, one of which is the largest refractor in the world. The observatory was founded in 1897 by George Ellery Hale and, using some trickery, was financed by Charles T. Yerkes.

An event social and banquet followed the Yerkes tour and was a wonderful 25-year COWs anniversary celebration and we could not have had a more appropriate setting than Celebration on Wells. We were dining in style with white linen table coverings, a chef-carved roast beef and lighting that surrounded us in an elegant atmosphere. Of the 59 couples attending the rally, 80% join the fun, food and conversation this banquet provided. The introduction of 11 new teams took place following the unveiling of a new tandem song written by Joan Laabs and Susan Pribyl and set to the tune of “Living on Tulsa Time”.

Rally Day #3: Sunday, May 19, 2013

Breakfast Ride to Twin Lakes: 28.97 miles
TANDEM Pedal Time: 2 hours 5 minutes, average speed 13.8

We set off on a final bike route of this Spring Rally with club members that offered their friendship back when we first joined the COWs in 2006. New members joined in and by the time we reached Twin Lakes for breakfast, the size of our group was too large to eat at the recommended diner so we pulled out our smart phones and quickly found a suitable alternative. The Corner Kitchen Family Restaurant was able to seat our group at one large table where we could enjoy this last meal together.

The packing up and good-byes began once back at our hotel. Many teams stopped to share their rally experience with us and express their thanks for a memorable 25^th anniversary rally—this one will be tough to top.

COWs 2013 Spring Rally Ride Statistics

• 5 states were represented: Wisconsin 42 teams, Illinois 6 teams, Minnesota 5 teams, Iowa 3 teams and Missouri 3 teams for a total of 59 teams
  
• 48 teams attended the Saturday banquet and social (80% of total rally attendance)
  
• 11 new teams were initiated into the club

Total Spring Rally biking miles: 107.38

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

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.

 

 

 

 

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.

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.