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2024 Lake Pepin 3 Speed Tour

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FICHT 150

Wore out three sets of tires already!
Last weekend was the annual charge around Lake Pepin, along Wisconsin 35 and Minnesota Highway 61. We had fantastic weather both days, a bit hot on Saturday, and much better riding on Sunday. The oldest rider was a Canadien, age 86, and the youngest was 6. My son rode his 1969 vintage Raleigh DL-1 Roadster, the short lived version with the 8” cranks, I rode a 1974 Raleigh International that somebody parted a long time ago, and I converted it to S5 hub and painted to match my wife’s little Robin Hood 5 speed. It has fenders and a chain guard, and looks the part of old English bike, but, performance wise, it stands out like an F16 in a group of Saber Jets.
I fixed two old bikes along the way, people show up with stuff that hasn’t been serviced and expect to make it almost 100 miles around the lake in hilly country. My wife bailed a few people out, including an actual medical event (heat stroke, I believe).
She doesn’t ride, but, helps out with the truck, that has tools, spare parts, and beer.
Couple of photos. My son and I at Tabor Lutheran church, between Bay City and Maiden Rock, on the Wisconsin side. That hill is 2 1/2 miles long. My wife and I at an overlook on the Minnesota side. Photos of the Raleigh International, I’m very happy with how the bike looks, stops, and works for a long ride over a few days. 21 tooth on the rear, 39 on the front, five gears in the middle (6 technically, but, the middle two are the same ratio, an English thing, as it were).
You shoulda’ been there, it was a blast.

Ted

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The color is a 1991 Kia color, that matches the 1967 Robin Hood perfectly. I painted a rack for the wife’s bike at the same time I painted my bike.

I’ve ridden a DL-1 on the Tour, but, mine was converted to S5-I’ve never done the 3 speed tour on a 3 speed. I don’t know if I will ever use my 24” Roadster for the Tour again. Heavy, is correct.

My son is 17. His is a 3 speed, but, has a 21 tooth rear cog, to replace the original, which was a 17! I figure the original owner must have lived at the top of a hill.

Ted

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I was on that ride a few times at least 12 years ago. A few of my friends from Canada went this year. I hope to go again in the future.
 
Rob Lucky was there this year, as was John Palmer. There were a few others, but, those are the guys I know.

My son, babies his 24” Roadster into Old Frontenac. He has the short lived version with 8” crank arms, and is a big enough kid to put that bike to good use. Me, pressing a cotter, on the side of the road. I do that every year.



Ted

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