northwest tandem rally 2007

[mimitabby]

We could only go for one day; but it was quite a day after all.
There were lots of beautiful tandems everywhere




but it was really really windy


not kidding about the wind, look at the trees!


even the baby trees were bending over~ ! lucky for us
when we took this shot, we were flying WITH the wind



this is a bike for 4 people!


most of the time I followed behind the tandem. Here I am
grinding up a hill.


photo op! photo op! Raleighdon wanted a picture of the tandem
behind the row of tractors that were parked along the side
of the road!


so they rode through some Goathead thorns to pose at end of the tractor line. Very picturesque, don't you think?


oops, did I say goathead thorns? can you say,
one spare tube and one spare tire is NOT ENOUGH sometimes?
Thanks to the good samaritans we met along the side of the road, we were able to ride out of this mess!!


Kind of like pulling teeth!


Lucky for us, Raleighdon is great at changing tires!


another screaming descent! awesome!


here's a family of 6 ... all matching, cute


here's some slightly tired folks eating their well-earned lunch
see DS's GF, Raleighdon's stoker, on the ground..


stoker's view

[KnottedYet]

Great pics, Mimi!

And lovely documentation of the joys of goatheads!

[Kano]

regarding goatheads:

SLIME - goopy stuff that fills holes made by goatheads

or

tire liners -- protects tubes from goatheads

or

kevlar tires! -- doesn't let goatheads thru in the first place!

I have had armadillos (specialized) on my comfort bike for a year -- well, did until yesterday when DH poached them for his matching bike! -- and haven't had a puncture since. Had about ninety million goathead punctures in the month or so before I got those wonderful tires! Bike guy says no problem when I decide I want them for my new bike too!


So, aside from the goatheads, it looks like a fantastic event, Mimi -- but you could have kept the wind over there or sent it some other direction! DH has wimped out on a ride today, since it's here now!

(on the other hand, my aching legs thank you! we've made up the mileage I missed doing the last couple of weeks while I was traveling, and they're really complaining!)

Karen in Boise

[mimitabby]

Karen,
we KNEW BETTER! but we've been west of the mountains for nigh on 30 years
so we forgot!


I never saw Susan Otcenas! but i did see lots of people from Oregon

[Bikingmomof3]

Fantastic photos Mimi!!

[mimitabby]

Did Susan Otcenas get back yet?

[Jiffer]

Thanks for the pics. I loved seeing all the tandems lined up! My husband and I ride a Burley tandem. Just road today with another tandem couple (and some singles). It was a casual social ride. A lot of fun.

I know all about wind. It gets pretty crazy windy where we live. My husband feels more confident on the tandem in the wind than on his single. Much sturdier!

Thanks again for the pics. I'd love to do an "all tandem" ride some time.