New Snow Bike

Some of you know i'm gettting a new snow rig for winter racing... I thought i'd post a picture of it in testing:
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Edited:
I forgot how well some of you know me... I’ll be more careful in the future when I post some Franken bike photos, just to clear things up "The bike pictured is NOT really my new bike", but I would like to give it a ride on snow. I'm sure to post a review or two on my new snow rig in the weeks to come prior to the Triple D Winter race on Jan 10th and the Arrowhead Ultra in early Feb.

Triple D 2008 Racer Comments

Thanks for pulling off some spectacular events last Saturday. I enjoyed every mile of the Double D run. Heritage Trail is beautiful in winter, and coupled with tailwind and sunshine, it couldn't be beat. The moon was even visible most of the afternoon. Putting our finish line in Durango was a genius decision. Indoor accommodations, food and drinks were so welcome by everyone. I'd never heard of such a good idea as the bar tab for participants. EVERYTHING was so nice and first class. I hope you consider offering the events again next year. Epic! Thanks for providing the blog links. It was quite a day all around, and from my perspective, it was all good! Thanks so much.
- Lisa Paulos ’08 Female Foot Category Winner

Thanks to you and all the crew for putting on a great event. Great support crew effort under difficult conditions. Also, please pass on my appreciation to Gene Tully for his work in creating the awards. My family and I enjoyed the experience. If you decide to do it again next year, I hope to attend.
- Mike Zeigle ’08 Male Ski Category Winner

I know Ben had a blast, and will talk about it for weeks (years?) to come!
- Julie (Ben Shockey’s Wife, 2008 Ultra Bike Overall Winner)

Thanks again Lance! It was a wonderful weekend for the family! Also, here is my recap on my blog. I have never been known to be a writer! %^) http://happytraining.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-amazing-experience.html You put on an amazingly organized race. Being a past race director (running events not, bike, ski, run!) I know how hard it is and you did an amazing job!
- Paul Jacobson

...happy volunteers, and park rangers were a real find. Thank you Very Much for putting on the race and all your efforts, as a very experienced race volunteer/director, etc I know how much it took…
- Dave Pramann, Arrowhead Ultra Course Record Holder

-10F (+ a 20 mph wind) and tough riding conditions cut our ride to about 20mi…But as I try to recover today ,I'm positive I had 50 BEERS,' WOOHOO'!!Thanks to all that attended and helped celebrate. For those who couldn't make it--wish you coulda been there! Thanks to Lance for all the work putting on the race. A fellow racer asked if I'd do it again. My reply was a quick NO. But am already reconsidering!!!
- Z Man, Celebrated his 50th Birthday at DDD and the motivation behind our pub crawl ‘09

Triple D 2009 Information & Registration

Please forward this to all that you know who bike, run, ski, snowshoe. This event is more about completing the event than it is a race, but a race it is...

TRIPLE D WINTER RACE (BIKE or SKI or RUN)
January 10th 2009

Categories:

Ultra Bike (54 miles Dubuque to Dyersville to Durango)

Estimated finish time between 7 - 12 hours*

Ultra Ski & Foot(50 miles Dubuque to Dyersville to Durango)
Estimated finish time between 6 - 12 hours*

Foot [Run/Ski] (23 miles Dyersville to Dubuque)
Estimated finish time 3 - 6 hours*

*Estimated finish times based on DDD 2008… expect quicker times as I’m sure the weather couldn’t be as bad as it was during DDD 2008 (-6 & 20 mph wind w/choppy rutted snow conditions).

Rules and deadlines:
1. Registration with check or money order must be received at least one week before event start (by Jan 3th 2008). See Address below.
2. Hotel reservations can be made any time before the event! We have negotiated hotel sponsorship and have a great rate for all… see Hotel Information below. This is a great race to bring the family along to, let them enjoy the resort while you enjoy… well you get the idea. Need to specify that you are with this event (TRIPLE D WINTER RACE) to receive the discounted rooms. If you want to share a room send me an email, and i'll get you into a group.
3. Entry fee is $50 for all categories (tandems, if you’re crazy enough to attempt this is $50 total, if you decide the day of the race to ride singles the other rider must pay $50 – this is the only exception to pre registration).
4. There are multiple categories (Bike, run, ski, etc.)
5. No refunds will be allowed. However, you may change categories the day of the race. Please make a good guess as to the event you MAY race in so that we can make appropriate reservations for racer transportation.
6. Sign in will be from 8-9 am on January 10th at the Grand Harbor resort (Dubuque, Iowa, the hotel directly north of the river boat casino http://www.grandharborresort.com/index.cfm ). You will be required to sign a release form at this time if you don’t send one with your registration (see below). Also, it is recommended that you carry a cell phone, and include this on your release form. We will use these if you go missing from an eta checkpoint.
7. Pre race meetings will be held at your respective starting lines at 9:55 am.
8. Race will start at 10 AM sharp.
a. The bikers will have an escorted rollout starting from riverside ampatheater in front of the Dubuque Star Brewery (same as ’08).
b. Ultra Runners and Skiers Will be transported to the Dubuque Heritage Trail head north of town on Hwy 52 (aka the Hwy 52 Ponds Trailhead)
c. Standard distance Runners and Skiers will be transported to the Dyersville Trailhead.
9. No outside help from anyone except other racers. This means that there are no support crews of any kind. If you take a ride, you are forfeiting your right to finish the race and you must contact race officials to notify us when/where you are dropping out of the race. However, participants are encouraged to help each other. The buddy system is a good way to do this race for the first time.
10. Any combination of forward motion is allowed (i.e., skiers can run, runners can snow shoe, bikers can push, etc.). No towing/pushing other racers, you can assist them but not in the forward direction.
11. No littering (and no stashes). Leave no trace. Make use of sanitation facilities provided along the trail (there are a couple of restrooms on Heritage trail and at Dyersville. Bring your own t.p. just in case.
12. If you leave the race course for some reason, you must re-enter the course exactly where you left it or notify race officials that you are dropping out as soon as is feasible. Short-cutting the course is not allowed and may be grounds for disqualification, at the discretion of the Race Director. Turning around early is allowed and encouraged over dropping out in the middle of the race (as this reduces the time our volunteers spend shuttling racers), record the mile marker or location where you turned around to receive credit for the distance raced.
13. Stop at all intersections and obey all traffic laws.
14. The course will be marked (better than last year) and maps (better than last year) will be provided (compass is recommended, GPS and cycling computers are also allowed - but temperatures may prevent them from working). There are forward and backward mile markers on Heritage Trail.
15. There will be no cut off time! This race is about finishing! However, we will have sag available. It is required that everyone have two flashing red lights (one front and one back) and a head light. For the bikers these can be on you or the bike.
16. Stay safe, stay warm, warn other trail users when passing, etc… read up on frost bike and hyperthermia so that you know what to do to prevent and treat these winter risks!
17. Awards will be given for ALL who complete the entire Ultra distance and first place in each category (categories TBD, but they will be something like [Male/Female], [Bike/Tandem/Ski/Foot], [Ultra Distance/Short] etc.).
18. Awards will take place at 10 PM on the 10th (at the grand harbor resort (DO NOT stay at the finish line bar, have your drinks, socialize and head back to the Grand Harbor by 10). Cash will be awarded to the top ultra distance finishers in addition to the awards.
19. Cash: Numbered tickets will be given to all starters. Additional tickets will be issued to finishers. The better you finish the more tickets. We will then give away all race profits lottery style. Exactly the same as last year. We are estimating that we will have about $1200 in cash awards. However this could be much higher if you pass the word… race expenses will be kept to an absolute minimum, no profits to anybody (expenses include: event room, insurance, trail access fees, shuttle, sag, course markings, beer and pizza at the awards)
20. For those who feel rejuvenated after the beer and pizza, there will be a pub crawl (by bike or car) starting around 11 pm.

Send $50 per person to:
Triple D c/o
Lance Andre
1735 Eden Lane
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4027
Must be received by Jan 3th, roster will be updated regularly.

============ RELEASE FORM ==================
2009 Triple D Winter Race Application & Waiver
NOTICE: This application and Release Form is a contract with legal consequences. Please read it carefully before signing it. Racers in the Triple D Winter Race must be at least age 18 years by the day of the event unless prior approval (January 10th, 2009).

Name: ____________________________ Age: _____ Sex: ____

Estimated Race Category: __________ (Actual): ______________

Address: _____________________________ City: __________

State: _________________ ZIP: ___________

Home Phone: _____________ Race Cell Phone: _______________

E-mail: _____________________________________________
I have competed in Winter Racing in the past: Yes No (circle one)

If Yes, Event and Distance: ______________________________
I have competed in ultra distance races in the past: Yes No (circle one)

If Yes, Event and Distance: ______________________________

In consideration of the acceptance of my application for entry in the 2009 Triple D Winter Race, I hereby freely agree to make the following contractual representations and agreements. I fully realize the dangers of participating in a winter skiing / bicycling / running / snowshoeing race held in the remote Iowa wilderness during extreme winter conditions, and fully assume the risk associated with such participation, including but not limited to the following dangers: hypothermia, frostbite, collision with pedestrians, vehicles, wildlife, and other racers and fixed or moving objects, dangers arising from surface hazards, equipment failure, inadequate safety equipment, weather conditions, and animals and the possibility of serious physical and/or mental trauma and injury, including death, associated with winter athletic competition.
I hereby waive, release and discharge myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, assigns and successors in interest (hereafter collectively "successors") any and all rights and claims which the sanctioning organization, the promoter and any promoting organization(s) and their board of directors, property owners, law enforcement agencies, all public entities, special districts, and properties (and their respective agents, officials and employees) through or by which the event will be held for any and all damages which may be sustained by my participation in of associated with the event, or travel to or return from the event.
I agree it is my sole responsibility to be familiar with the race course, the rules of the sanctioning body, and the special regulations of the event. I understand and agree that the situations may arise during the race which may be beyond the immediate control of the race officials or organizers, and I must ski, bicycle, run, and snowshoe so as to endanger neither myself nor others. I accept responsibility for the conditions and adequacy of my equipment and training. I have no physical or mental condition which, to my knowledge, would endanger myself or others if I participate in this event, or would interfere with my ability to participate in this event.
I agree that it is at the sole discretion of the race directors to change the rules at any time in the interest of safety and sportsmanship or for any reason deemed appropriate by the Triple D Winter Race officials, and I agree to abide by those rules. I understand that the race officials may pull any participant out of the event in the interest of the community, law, safety, time, sportsmanship; due to suspicion of cheating, acts of nature or any reason deemed appropriate by the Triple D Winter Race officials.
I agree, for myself and successors, that the above representations are contractually binding, and are not mere recitals, and that should I or any of my successors assert any claim in contravention of this agreement, I or my successors shall be liable for the expenses (including legal fees) incurred by the other party or parties in defending, unless the other party or parties are finally adjusted liable on such claims for willful and wanton negligence. This agreement may not be modified orally, and a waiver of any provision shall not be construed as a modification of or as consent to another provision herein of as a consent to any subsequent waiver of modification.

______________________________ DATE:__________
SIGNATURE OF ENTRANT
PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF A MINOR: I, as a parent or guardian of the above named minor, hereby give my permission for my child or ward to participate in the event, and further agree, individually and on behalf of my child or ward, to the terms above.

______________________________ DATE:__________
SIGNATURE OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF MINOR

Emergency contact or Guardian: _________________________

Address: _____________________________ City: __________

State: _________________ ZIP: ___________

Home Phone: _______________ Work Phone: _______________

Triple D 2009 Race Poster

Please pass this along to those who seem a little off kilter... More details comming very soon.

Triple D Feedback

I've gotten quite a bit of feedback from last year's racers and even some for what will be first time racers... I'm taking it all in, and may be making some slight modifications to the event.

Ideas of consideration are:
1. Extending and/or offering true ultra distances for both the skiers and runners
2. Starting the Race much earlier (9 am or even 8 am), logistically all registration and payment and signed releases would need to be in, leaving only the prerace meetings to occur the morning of.

Items that ARE changing from last year:
1. Everyone will finish in Durango (bikers, skiers & runners). This will shorten the Bike part by a solid 8 miles and will prevent those who make it that far from getting lost in negotiating their way back into town.
2. All full course finishers will receive awards. This will be retroactive for the two bikers last year who didn't receive awards (I'll be presenting them at this year's ceremony, and shipping them out if you don't make it back this year) you deserve them, it was brutal last year.
3. I guarantee that the weather will be different this year. Heck, we're doing it almost a month earlier...

cheq 40 fun?

Update... as most may know by now, the Andre tandem didn’t fair to well, during the roll out some d!ck tried to whip around us and in the process tangled bar ends at 35+ mph on the way to the highway turn... what followed was lots of blood, torn jerseys, and taco'd wheels of a reported 10+ bikes. The crash was so bad that is shaped the outcome of the overall placement of the women’s and affected numerous top riders overall (see http://cheqfattire.com/pages/2008/press_release_2008.html )

After cleaning our serious asphalt road rash (down to the meat on a couple of spots), spending just about exactly 55 minutes truing our rear wheel and disk rotor enough that major damaged wouldn't be done by the rubbing tire and disk, bending the rear derailleur so that a couple gears would work, we rolled out of Hayward.

We passed the trail cleanup crew, about 10 miles in, the stone saddle rider about 3 miles from OO. Can you believe that? Riding at about 19 mph we didn’t see a soul until 6 miles from OO!?!

We had a nice clean ride from Hayward (in the rain the entire way), only putting our feet down once on a muddy rut, we cleaned all of Firetower (which was pretty impressive given that 1400 riders had crewed and loosened it up pretty good and we only had 3 gears (middle ring only). We finished at 1276 overall passing about 450 racers (from OO to the finish), subtracting our 0:55 delayed start, we might have been around 300 overall - 10 minutes and 2 places from a podium finish (although we rode numerous parts much much slower because of our broken bike & spirits)... before the race I was planning on a 2:24 finishing time...

Not sure where it happened (because I was on the lookout), but we did pass one other tandem (we didn’t get last place, and we did finish unlike 4 years ago with our disastrous attempt to ride a cycle cross tandem [9 flats by OO]).
I guess a bad day on a bike is still a good day... right??? Because it was a bad day on the bike…

Anybody looking for a slightly used mountain tandem??? ;-p

Triple D 2009 set for Jan 10!!!!

More information to follow... will be nearly the same with the exception that all racers will finish at Durango (Dubuque to Dyersville to Durango = Triple D). Mark your calendars for January 10, 2009 for the craziest 60 mile bike (or 24 mile run or ski race) in North America!!! Only 4 bikers finished out of 30 last year, are you ready to give it another shot?

Arrowhead Ultra set for Feb 3rd (Monday), come on, how hard can 135 miles be?

Iditarod Trail Invitational - Feb 22nd, 1100 miles... that just sucks no matter how nice the weather and trails are.

Colesburg 40 Race Photos

Colesburg 40 - Results

Sorry this took so long… between travel, work, Cheq40 Training & sleep there just wasn’t any time left to type the results up.

First, let me give thanks to our overworked volunteers: Jody Bramel who ran our start/finish line, helped with registration and her son Alex who drove the short course sag. Rob Leigh who drove the long course sag and water wagon. David Hartig III who supplied the filled water jugs and shower hose. My wife Traci who ran registration and typed the results. Chris Sauer reserved the park. Without these great individuals this race would not have gone off as well as it did.

Again, the course markings… we tried not to make this an “adventure race” none the less we still had a couple racers miss a turn or two. I apologize for this, there are a couple of the turns that exist in places of high-speed where no matter how well we mark the course they just aren't obvious at 35 mph. We will see what we can do about this next year because riding 40 out here is bad enough without having to ride 50 lost. For those of you that return each year this course starts to become second nature.

My warning of the danger of loose gravel again this year may have been taken more seriously than last year as there were no reported hospital visits, although there were still numerous stories about bikers climbing back out of the ditches or washing out on corners. Great race everyone! This race has truly become a one of the classic suffer fests of cycling.

The race bolted from town with 60 strong optimistic racers in its typical balls to the wall style. The Andre tandem reached the first big climb out of town at an average speed of 28 mph towing what would end up being most of the top 10 finishers. The first climb separated the racers in its typical fashion, with John Olney from Iowa City getting off the front and then a number of small chase groups close behind. John would end-up riding the race solo for a new course record of 2:09 with Jeff Barnes close behind (jeff missed a corner which cost him some time). John ended up taking somewhere around $200 home for the Preem, Course Record & lots of Lottery wins. Total cash given out was over $900!

I asked a first time racer (Nicole Hutchison) where on the course she began to hate Colesburg? Calmly and without hesitation she replied “the first hill.”

Long live the Colesburg 40!
Lance

See the XLS file on www.ChainReactionCycling.org site for a comparison of the last 4 years of times. The short course was lengthened to 24 miles last year and remained the same this year. The long course has remained nearly unchanged for the last 12 years at 40.9 miles.

First Last Name Course Category 2008
1. John Olney Long Male 2:09:32* (that last 5 miles really sucked, but $ is king)
* New course record
2. Jeff Barnes Long Male 2:13:48 (I was going too fast to see the course markings)
3. Jeff Bradley Long Male 2:19:07
4. Chris Eastburn Long Male 2:19:53
5. Todd Gillihan Long Male 2:20:15
6. James Hopson Long Male 2:22:50 (don’t draft the Andre’s, really, it’s not safe)
7. Lance & Traci Andre Long Tandem 2:23:10 (do as we say, not as we do)
8. Jeff Dalton Long Male 2:23:47
9. John Newell Long Male 2:25:45
10. Joe Frost Long Male 2:26:10 (I hate races over an hour 50, I’m walking)
11. Daniel Galles Long Male 2:28:19
12. Nick Martin Long Male 2:32:59
13. William Huntsberger Long Male 2:33:31
14. Bruce Grell Long Male 2:35:32 (Triple D here I come!)
15. Jeremy Fry Long Male 2:36:59
16. Jeff Spahn Long Male 2:37:51 (I’m taking Amelia on the Tandem next year)
17. Connie Inks Long Female 2:39:19 (first female)
18. Mike Johnson Long Male 2:41:32
19. Daniel Kratochvit Long Male 2:42:39 (I traveled from eastern Europe just to race Colesburg)
20. Landon Beachy Long Male 2:43:18 (secretly I love this race, and wish it were even longer)
21. Darcy Sanford Long Female 2:44:15 (second female)
22. Phillip Curran Long Male 2:45:23(no hospital visits for me this year)
23. Karl Steichen Long Male 2:46:06 (I can ride this course blind folded with a beer in my hand)
24. Juan Ochoa Long Male 2:47:49
25. Sandy Kessler Long Female 2:51:59 (third female)
26. Ron Saul Long Male 2:52:04
27. Jeff Dullard Long Male 2:52:35
28. Dewayne Bonnett Long Male 2:53:04 (3rd X’s a charm, I’m getting the hang of this Colesburg thing)
29. Marge O'Connor-Leigh Long Female 2:53:35
30. Nick Book Long Male 2:53:39
31. Gary Johnson Long Male 2:56:40
32. Jeff Abel Long Male 2:58:48
33. Jamie Jorgensen Long Male 3:01:04
34. Jean Gilpin Long Female 3:04:19 (Triple D here I come, I'm not doing shots on the trail this year)
35. Chris & Monika Martin Long Tandem 3:04:57 (they call it a divorce bike why?)
36. Brian Walsh Long Male 3:07:20 (where’s my ride when I need it)
37. William Allen Long Male 3:09:32
38. Chap Cuthbert Long Male 3:10:30
39. Nicole Hutchison Long Female 3:13:09 (no really! I’m serous, the first hill)
40. Lor Hutchison Long Male 3:13:10
41. Bruce Timmerman Long Male 3:17:32
42. Sandy Kilburg Long Female 3:22:00
43. Greg Aronson Long Male 3:25:25
44. Hana Syslova Long Female 3:31:09 (I traveled from eastern Europe just to race Colesburg too)
45. Frank Flack Long Male 3:32:03 (so this is what the finish line looks like)
46. Paul Meyermann Long Male 3:32:58
47. Matt Klemish Long Male 3:38:32
48. Bob Graf Long Male 4:08:00 (now this is an adventure race)

First Last Name Course Category 2008
1. John Adamson Short Male 1:28:03 (my belt buckle is bigger than yours)
2. Evan Hartig Short Male 1:29:57 (CheqFatTire podium here I come)
3. David Hartig Short Male 1:30:14
4. Parrish & Natalie Marugg Short Tandem 1:34:10 (CheqFatTire podium here WE come)
5. Chris Congdon Short Male 1:37:38
6. Mark & Cassandra Hirsch Short Tandem 1:41:48 (hand sanitizer is great for cleaning open wounds)
7. Lucas Marugg Short Male 1:45:30 (my sister cheated)
8. Gary Bramel Short Male 1:54:26 (where did all these hammer heads come from)
9. Kathleen Porter Short Female 2:01:35
10. Jason Teggotz Short Male 2:16:36
11. Amanda O'Neill Short Female 2:32:08 (the short course was too short, I made my own long course)
12. Anjanette Clark Short Female DNF (but i still have a smile on my face...)

Colesburg 40 2008 (Race Info)

17th Annual Colesburg 40 Gravel Road Race

Alright, if the Andre tandem team can come up from Florida to put on this little gravel race, the least some of you locals can do is show up! Ya, you heard me right, Mr. Freeze himself is living in sweltering Florida! So, here are the details on the race that no one wants to talk about (do to repressed memories of pain and suffering)…

When: September 1st 2008 (Labor Day Monday), Registration until 9:30, Racingstarts at 10AM.

Where: Colesburg, Iowa (NW Corner of Town at the City park)

How Much:
Preregistered Solo Racer $20 / Tandem Team $30 (by Aug 25 [yes poster says 15th]),
Prior Year Solo Racer $20 (Prereg not required)
Prior Year Tandem Team $30 Total (Prereg not required)
Day of event, $30 Single or $45 Tandem Team.

Awards: Cash (real $$$ bills)- lots of it, lottery style payout, the better you place themore tickets you get. Everyone gets at least one ticket for starting this wrenched event.

Race Director Contact: Lance André at (563) 543-2784 or Lance.Andre@Hotmail.com

General Details:

• Sag supported with water
• Well marked course (racer maps at sign-in)
• Large Tandem Field
• It's typically hot (bring two water bottles & a camel back)
• Fat-tire mountain bikes and cycle-cross bikes recommended
• Controlled 1 mile paced start

Long Course: 40.9 miles of Gravel (some pavement) - Sport/Expert/Prolevel riders - expect long gravel hills & a finishing time typically within5 min. of your Chequamegon 40 finish.
Direct Cash Payout for Record Time.
Large pream on the first main climb*

Short Course: 24 miles of Gravel - Beginner/Sport level riders (finishing times range from 1:20 to 2:15+)

*Prem was first won in 2007 by Team Ergon pro rider Jeff Kerkove, who’s teammate beat Lance at Leadville this year and he finished 27th overall, unfortunately the locals made Jeff pay for that $ as he finished 4th behind the Eppens, Andre’s and Todd Gillihan.

This race has a long history in Iowa bike racing…
4th annual: “I’ve had enough, I’m stopping for a beer, me too… ditto”
8th annual: “no race director” (he was thrown in jail, he’s now married to the gal that caused the whole thing)…
10th annual “Broken collarbone, and a stolen car (the racers stole it)”…
12th annual “Dog to Vet with broken ribs, bike to the repair shop”…
13th annual “9 racers lost (to the sound of deliverance)” we have since improved the course markings…
15th annual – “is it possible to endo a tandem?” Ask the Hirsch brothers…
16th annual (last year)– “bloodiest year yet, multiple emergency room visits” Slow down on those D&# downhill corners!

Click on the flyer to view a larger version... email me Lance.Andre@Hotmail.com for a PDF. You can also visit http://www.chainreactioncycling.org/ in a day or two for all the other information like a release form (to fill out ahead of time), detailed driving directions, a course map, etc.

Can someone die virtually?

I think I was close... I forgot my password to my blogsite and am now temporarily retired, so my long standing work email address hasn’t been valid for about 2 weeks. So, for all of you that think I’m blowing you off, not so. Drop me a line at my new personal address.

I’ll post an up date to my TransIowa adventure a couple of weeks back tomorrow or Friday at the latest (promise).

Contact information:
LanceAndre@Hotmail.com
563-543-2784

St. Patrick's Day / TransIowa Training

I've neglected my blog for a couple of weeks, sorry to my faithful readers, and to my TransIowa riding buddies (double to them because I’m out of shape)!

Yes, out of shape... this weekends big ride was my last ride on the Triple D route (we still had enough snow to ride the trail system). It took me only 6 hours to ride 72 miles (Dubuque to Dyersville to St. Petersburg to Dyersville and back to Dubuque with a 1 hour lunch in St. Petersburg). While the average speed may sound good... how I felt after the 6 hours is a different story. Chafed and Sore would be putting it mildly!

Average speed was 14.1 mph, not bad for most of it being on snow (if you can call it that), hard crusted and icy in spots. By the time I got near Dyersville Heritage trail was getting slushy as the temp was nearing 38 degrees.
I'll update my blog tomorrow with a couple pictures of a Mississippi River Ride that a couple of us did two weekends ago (I have been riding, just not as much as i should with a 350 mile gravel & mud race next month). The river riding has given me an idea for anther winter event (River Crit)... more on that and "Triple D 2009" to follow?

The annual Dyersville St. Patrick's Day ride is something that any RAGBRAI lover should do! there is no better way to kick off the cycling season than with a party ride with a couple thousand of your best friends... I was fun for me to join up with this group as I’ve finally got too see my regular biking friends back out on two wheels.
Pic1 (near outskirts of Dubuque), pic2 heritage trail outside of dyersville, pic 3 party time at st. petersburg.