Selma, Alabama in 1998 was our first Southern Tandem Rally (STR) and we have attended every one since then. We never meant to go on a streak, and always thought that something would come up that prevented us from going, but here we are in Cookeville, Tennessee having attended 19 in a row.

We really enjoy STR because it’s a chance to connect with many friends and acquaintences while sitting back during a work and stress-free weekend of cycling.

When we host events we always have a blast, but we are also always keeping track of the logistics and making sure everything is running as we planned.

We love the way rally weekends have stretched. When we travel to a new area we enjoy seeing the sights and having extra time to visit with some of our favorite people who we may only get to see a few times a year.

Friday’s ride featured some barely paved roads (which made the Texas pavement seem smooth) and an incredible climb that featured grades of around 15% for probably close to half a mile. This ride left us with a wobbly back wheel and maybe a loose spoke. The bike shop in Cookeville broke 2 spokes while trying to true the wheel. Lesson learned–tighten them yourself. We had one spare Spinergy spoke and Helen and Steve Kinsey were kind enough to give us a second spoke for a Saturday morning repair.

When there is a brewery in town, and one as good as The Red Silo, it’s just an extra bonus!

Our ice cream social on Friday is hosted here.

The ice cream is good, but I would have liked just a little more than one tiny scoop…and maybe some sprinkles!

Truth be told, I was so relaxed about packing that I forgot my camera this weekend and I am limited to the few shots that I took with an iPhone. On Saturday, which was sort of a chilly and nasty morning, we rode to Sparta and walked around the fall festival before lunch. It’s Lester Flatt Days–apparently the bluegrass picker was from Sparta. Afterwards, we ride a longish 18 miles in a headwind back to our hotel.

Sunday was a short ride without an official group start.

We enjoyed the 26 miles. There was no store stop, but most of our group is in this picture.

Our next adventures take us to SoCal for the Tour de Pink and a month of training and views of the ocean.

My next post will feature our first West Coast Tour de Pink.
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