2011 Lake Pepin 3 Speed Tour

For the past several years I have participated in the Lake Pepin 3 Speed Bike Tour which is a two day bicycle ride around Lake Pepin in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The point of the ride is to take a very relaxing ride in the county and this area is perfect for such a ride as there are lots of places to stop and look at something. We ride British 3 speed bikes and many of the participants go with a retro look for the weekend. Here are a few pictures.


Me at the start in Red Wing, Minnesota.



My bike, a 1969 Raleigh Sports.



First stop is Bay City, Wisconsin. The ice cream shop owner opens an hour early each year as he knows we are coming through. A cone hits the spot after the five or so miles we have ridden so far.



Next stop is the Smiling Pelican bakery in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin. This bakery is as good as any I've been to. Last year it was closed for remodeling and I nearly wept.



Mandatory photo at the Lake Pepin marker.



At this point the English weather came in with a fury and it downpoured. There was nowhere to hide so we just kept riding and got soaked.


Lots of flats this year, more than I remember in previous years. Luckily I just had to provide a pump.



A view of Lake Pepin when the skies cleared.



Dinner was at the Vicar's table at the Harbor View Cafe in Pepin, Wisconsin. The Harbor View has amazing food. They only take cash and do not take reservations and in a small town in rural Wisconsin you wait an hour for a table and the wait is worth it.



I didn't take many photos on Sunday since we did a lot of this - stop and put on rain gear.



Tea brew up in Lake City, Minnesota for lunch.


Regardless of the weather, this ride is the best two days of the year. I am already making plans for next year's ride.

More photos here.
http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a249/meganandrusty/2011 Lake Pepin 3 speed tour/


The tour website here.
http://www.3speedtour.com/

AWESOME!!! I try to ride my 3-speed every day that I can. I've taken a roadster and modified it. I removed the fenders and inverted the handlebars for a lower profile to them. But for a ride like yours I'd have to use my Rudge.

Thanks again for the pics and the story!

Matt

Compared to many riders on the tour I have a run of the mill bike. There are some serious collectors on the ride and they have very nice, very old bike, the oldest being 92 years old. Interestingly enough the oldest rider on the tour was also 92.

That is pretty cool, you are so great, man