Lake Pepin Tour 23'

[Schwinny]

This years tour was dedicated to Noel Robinson, a co-founder, and best a person can be. 86 total this year for the 80 mile round trip. That's down from last year's 117.
The first days 40 miles is the hardest for the mostly over 55 crowd, but the many stops along the way even it out. There's no hurry and plenty comradery. Pastry, bistros and pubs all along the way make it easier, and the last 20 miles on Sunday is flat and very scenic.
If you can, you should put it on your calendar for next year.

Reading of a letter from the "Queen," a Python-esque prayer, and singing a Python-esque hymn before the start is tradition.
Led by the Vicker that's quicker, and his hand of Ulster staff.

My son and the bike I rode. A 23t rear cog got me a couple good sweetspots in 2nd and 3rd.

The old hotel we stayed in on the half nite let us all keep our bikes in the game room. This is mine and my son's.

 

[Schwinny]

Some more...

Baines "Flying Gate"

We cross the Mississippi twice

And lastly, a local Des Moines bike builder has several of his creations on the tour regularly. He attends the tour regularly himself and was there this year. Here, he is pictured with one of his bikes ready to take it's maiden voyage.
Commissioned frame by Jeffrey Bock, all other vintage parts found and assembled by the owner.
This is one fine bike.

 

[dave429]

I’ve been wanting to ride this for a few years now. Hopefully next year will be the year!
Thanks for sharing the pictures of this years tour with us!

 

[Schwinny]

I seem to have neglected getting pics of a couple goodies.
There was a late model Pederson and a few quality franken bikes. Many people have a 3 speed setup to change onto their favorite English whatever. It's a relatively easy swap. I think that is what I will do next year. I'll make my MacLean a 3 spd for the occasion.
The youngest this year is, and probably will remain, the youngest to do the 3spd tour.
A tall 6 year old on a 24" tire Raleigh. I thought I had a pic but .... I guess not. He never walked once. (I walked twice)

 

[Jesper]

Wonderful pics and commentary. Looks like my kind of fun! Thanks.

 

[bikerbluz]

Looks like great fun and some beautiful bikes!

 

[FICHT 150]

My son, Christopher, did the Tour this year on his 1969 Raleigh DL1, notable in that it is one of two years production that got 8” crank arms, instead of the typical 7”. He has been doing the Tour since 2011, when he was 5 years old, and has owned the record of youngest rider for a long, long, time. Kids in bike trailers have done the Tour as young as 6 months. Not self propelled, however.

I got to work on that “Lady of the Lake” model Bock, when, on the first day, the three speed shift cable broke just out of Maiden Rock. Ralph was attempting to jamb the cable to lock it into first gear, but, I found a piece of actual plastic road debris, that had a small hole molded in it, that allowed the indicator spindle to be locked out of the hub under spring tension. She rode to Wabasha in that condition, having two gears, high and low, and they bought a new cable at the little bike shop in town. I also found a 700C tire and tube for Ralph’s bike-he had a ‘kinda rough start between his bike, and his Wife’s.

Already posted elsewhere, but, this is my team. Momma flies SAG in the F150, we ride. It was an awesome year for the Tour, not a single tornado to deal with. The other photo is when Chris was 8, riding the 17” Colt that Noel gave him, and he rode for a long time.

We have done the Tour 12 times. Hope to get in a few more.

Ted

 

[FICHT 150]

Forgot to mention, I did the Tour on a 24” Roadster, as well. But, mine has a 20 tooth cog, and I converted the AW hub to S5 configuration, and have 5 speeds to work with.

A picture from two years ago, same bikes. Tim had his Minolta loaded with black and white film.

Ted