1. Yep, just costs $5 more. Be sure not to follow the example of the moron couple on purple tandem who pay their money after it has already started raining.

2. Could be any speed depending on which length route and which tandem you manage to get your bungee hooked to. I think you'll find that the hard core riders will do the full 100 or 62 at a pretty brisk pace. The 40 miler will have a variety of speeds. At our current level of slobdom, Bubba and I might do the 62 at a cruising pace 18-20, maybe slightly faster. We haven't been on the tandem for a loooong time. 2 years ago on the 40 mile loop, in the rain and with a rotating pace line of 3 tandems I think we were cruising at 22-24 but I can't see the compooter (I could only see the 6 ft rooster tails of water). You'll find all speeds on the 40 mile ride, but you MUST know how to draft to keep up with most tandems. A tandem punches a pretty big hole in the wind so you don't have to be real close. However, some tandems ride pretty slowly and I've passed them on a single bike. The catered Mexican burdo buffet is fabulous.

3. As I recall, the gravel is rideable by road bikes. I should go read the description again, but I was just planning on throwing on some slightly wider tires. I would think that if it was really serious, they make a bigger deal out of it. Maybe send a few emails and ask. I've always wanted to see these hills.