Midwest Tandem Rally: Turns, Turns, Turns!

Midwest Tandem Rally (MTR) 2025 is in Westfield, Indiana, a northern suburb of Indianapolis. We rode in this area 4 years ago when we visited Carmel and enjoyed the Monon Trail. We loved the cycling infrastructure and the respect for cycling, so when it was announced that MTR would be held here, we were all in.

There are around 200 tandems here. It sounds big (the Georgia Tandem Rally was 100 bikes this year), but our first MTR in 2003 was over 500 tandems. This niche sport is made up of an older demographic. We (and many of our friend group) started in our 40’s, but the generations after us have not followed. Tandem rallies are shrinking.

Mural at the fabulous Titus Bakery.

The are four days of riding on the schedule. The first and last days are “ride on your own” with no group start. Our first ride is basically just us. It’s odd to be part of such a large group and still ride by yourself.

The Monon Trail infrastructure is quite impressive.
Enjoying the ride and some “alone time”.

The ride was 27 miles and easily over 100 turns. We were on the “tour of homes”, winding our way through neighborhood after neighborhood. Some of the subdivisions were incredible. There is a lot of money in this area. Eventually, we finished the ride with two other couples.

One of the couples from the area helped guide us through a congested area. Quite helpful!
After the ride we lunched and had giant Titus donuts. Sprinkles for me, maple and cinnamon for Roger.

A word about the weather. It was spectacular, sunny and clear BUT the Saturday, Sunday and Monday 8:30am starts were COLD (around 50 degrees each morning). It warmed up beautifully each day, but arm warmers, vests and extra under-layers were needed.

The best thing about tandem rallies is catching up with “old” friends and travel mates. This event was no exception.
Visiting with Larry and Debbie. So nice to catch up.
Jeff, Judy, Susan and Grant are so much fun to be with (and ride on the same roads)!
The only other Georgia team in attendance, Tim and Vickie.
This is Terry and Linda, we met them in Banff a few years ago. Seeing them was a fun surprise.
One of the highlights of the Saturday ride was the Potters covered bridge.
The inside of the 150+ year old bridge was decorated with lanterns.
Susan Goertz took this shot of us at the rest stop mural!
Getting ready for the Sunday morning ride start.
Everyone just rolls out at ride start without a word from the rally organizers. We had great police support.
Lots of corn and soybean fields in these parts.
With Susan and Jack at the rest stop.
Susan and Grant chatting us up!
Lots of metal at the lunch stop. Probably some carbon fiber too.

The final ride is a short donut ride on Labor Day. That’s right, more donuts! We leave our hotel with a small group of riders and meet up with the group at the rest stop!

We had a great on bike visit with Lonnie and Carol.
We wore our special donuts and sprinkles jerseys for the occasion.
Giant sprinkle donuts!
There were many choices!
You know what donut I chose!
With L. Jeff and L. Michelle. I can report she ate a few donut holes!
We certainly enjoyed our time playing in Indiana.

The donut stop is just a mile from our hotel. After a quick shower, we are ready to head home. We overnight in Bowling Green, KY (home of the Chevrolet Corvette factory!) and are back home a day later.

Visiting a welcome center in Kentucky.

A quick survey of our purchases during the trip has a common theme. If you spend over $75 at the Cherry Republic store (try the free samples!) in Traverse City, you get a free lunch bag worth about a dollar. Mission accomplished!

Cherries in everything at our house!

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