September 20, 2009

Altura Loop: 38.91 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 3 hours 3 minutes, average speed: 12.7

We were “dog tired” today. Neither of us had much power behind the pedals. The Altura loop is one of our more demanding loops with many long climbs. The route takes us down through Elba with little exertion but from there it becomes a grueling task. We did make a rest stop in Altura after climbing for 2 miles and were hoping to find something open in town to offer a treat but the town businesses all close at noon and it was already 12:30. One store owner saw us resting as she was closing shop and ask if we needed anything. I shared my hope that an afternoon treat would be nice. She opened back up to sell us 2 ice cream drumsticks. We thanked her for her kind offer. Now we just needed to get to Brewskies where we knew a good lunch could be had. We reached Utica at 1:30 and enjoyed lunch while others enjoyed the Vikings football game. We now had the energy we needed to tackle one more hill before reaching home. It’s always satisfying to reach home after such a trip. When you started out, your mind and body are saying, “no way” but you keep on going, fighting your thoughts until the end when you celebrate this small victory of endurance.

September 19, 2009

Eyota Loop: 30.31 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 2 hours 12 minutes, average speed: 13.6

We took a lunch ride to Eyota to eat at the Country Café. We were extra hungry as we neared Eyota and were looking for a good meal—that is not what we got! We both ended up with gastric issues shortly following our lunch. This is something you never want to experience when out on the bike and you’re 15 miles from home. We biked in 3 different temperature zones today—it was in the 80’s when we started our ride, it then climbed into the 90’s at our lunch break and then dropped to the 70’s as we arrived home, bazaar but still a beautiful day to be out riding.

September 18, 2009

Winona Lakes: 6.62 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 35 minutes, average speed: 11.2

It’s been on my list to bike around the Winona lakes so we packed the bike in the van and drove to Winona for a short visit with Mom and Dad and then headed down Franklin Street to pick up the Lake Park Trail. Many people use the trail for various activities which made it difficult to maneuver our bike which explains the low average speed. The view around the lakes was very nice but the geese and seagulls do present a problem. Well, guess I got that out of my system and will remain on the roads for better visibility and safety when biking in Winona.

September 16, 2009

Utica Loop: 21.24 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 1 hour 31 minutes, average speed: 13.8

We noticed how short the days are becoming as we were heading back from Breweskies. We have very little time for dawdling. Our new rear rim is coasting well but we still have an annoying squeak emitting from our back end. We’ll have to check my bike seat and see if the cause might be there. The winds were slight and the temps were in the 70’s making for a great evening ride.

T.I.R.E. Bike Event Day #3

T.I.R.E. Ride Day #3: 32.04 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 2 hours 19 minutes, average speed: 13.8

The last day of T.I.R.E. was planned to be a ride with Ron McKernan. All riders set out through town at 9:30 a.m. towards North River Road with Ron in the lead. The route was great, probably one of my best in the County—rolling hills, some climbs but great descents. The weather again today was outstanding! The group stayed together to witness the awesome descent of Witt Hill. The gathering outside Oak Park Inn following the ride was very uplifting as riders thanked Dennis and I for the wonderful routes. It was tough to say good-bye knowing our week of riding was ending—this biking vacation (MTR, Post MTR and T.I.R.E.) topped our list of best trips taken (including London)! Greeting us in the mail when we arrived home was a beautiful card from Joan and John Laabs thanking us for our part in planning the Post MTR ride in Lanesboro. We have met so many wonderful people along our biking travels and they have all played a part in making our lives more enjoyable.

T.I.R.E. Bike Event Day #2

Ride Day #2: 57.41 miles

Comments: Ride Time was 4 hours 26 minutes, average speed: 12.8

Today Dennis and I were back on the tandem. It was to be another beautiful riding day in Trempealeau County. The medium route took us up to Hansen’s Hold-Up for lunch and down Alligator Slide and then into Arcadia where we biked past the Memorial Park. Our next big hill was approaching so we began to pick up speed and gear for the climb over Church Hill. As we began to gear down, Dennis got stung on the lip by a bee but, being the great captain he is, he kept it all under control and we continued the climb. LeAnn teased that he had Angelina Jolee lips. We were back in Whitehall in time to wash up for the evening banquet. The ride went well today except for one wrong turn on the medium cue sheet. I had a bit of apologizing to do to a few riders that put on some extra miles because of the error but all were very good sports about the mistake.

T.I.R.E. Bike Event Day #1

Ride Day #1: 23.75 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 1 hour 51 minutes, average speed: 12.7

Wow, another major accomplishment for Deb—Biking Trempealeau County on the Bacchetta! As we were packing the tandem for its trip to Whitehall to participate in the Trempealeau Invitational Ride Event, we noticed a crack in the rear rim. We called Kevin immediately at the Blue Herron in Onalaska to see what he could do and he came through for us again. It did mean I would have to ride my single for day #1 of the T.I.R.E. ride but I was ready for the challenge. Barb Garthus rode the short route with me providing much encouragement. I had a great time and was glad I had this chance to increase my biking confidence. Dennis stayed at the Inn waiting for Kevin to call with news of the tandem rim so that we could ride the rest of the weekend together.