Going strong since 1979!
DO YOU REMEMBER?
2019 – Greenwood, SC – 80 teams – STR returned to South Carolina for the first time since 2001. Long-time Georgia Tandem Rally hosts Eve Kofsky and Roger Strauss, doing “double-duty” as STR hosts this year, ordered perfect weather for our three days in the “Upcountry”. We thought we were in San Diego. The weekend started with a registration party at The Mill House/Good Times Brewing as riders fueled up with the two basic food groups of cycling, beer and pizza. Friday morning, we rode to Abbeville, one of the most scenic town squares in South Carolina, where we were greeted with fresh-baked banana nut muffins from a local restaurant. Friday’s ice cream sundae social was at the recently-restored Federal Building, which was built in the early 1900’s and now serves as Greenwood’s Art Museum and Visitor Information Center. On Saturday, the spandex-clad tandem riders headed to Ninety Six, where the National Park Service has a historical site dedicated to the Revolutionary War in South Carolina. Those on the two longer options were treated to a rest stop with more banana-nut muffins as well as granola bars, fig bars, and cookies. For the Saturday banquet, riders dined at the Sundance Gallery, which featured art and drinks downstairs and a “Mambo Italiano” banquet upstairs. Our guest speaker was author and photographer Jon Holloway, who told us tales of his cross-country bicycle trip with four teenagers. Sunday, we headed to the Promised Land for some cycling salvation. Riders on the long option got a tour of the haunted Rock House, a legendary deserted mansion that has been vacant since 1950.
2018 – Venice, FL – 75 teams – There would have been more, but Hurricane Michael, which hit Panama City, Florida on Thursday, then tracked across southern Georgia, kept some teams away from Venice. For all who made it, Steve and Debi Katzman, with able assistance from Bob and Kat Acuff, were fantastic hosts. The staff and venues at Hotel Venezia were outstanding. Friday was warm and humid, and all rides started from the hotel. Routes headed north and east through Venice. That night we enjoyed our ice cream social. The hotel supplied an amazing array of toppings for our chocolate or vanilla ice cream. Saturday dawned with a burst of slightly cooler temperatures and much lower humidity. Rides started from the parking lot of Sharky’s on the Pier, then went south through lovely neighborhoods with occasional glimpses of canals, and bays. We returned via Manasota Key. All rides enjoyed a fully staffed and stocked rest stop at Manasota Key Beach Park. Gulf views from the park were spectacular. We returned north and toured through old Venice with its lovely buildings and amazing murals before enjoying a great lunch at Sharky’s. The day ended with a nice banquet, highlighted by a spinning wheel of chance to determine dining order. And the best part: Sunday, Sharky’s chef and his wife joined us on their tandem for our ride, again leaving from the hotel. We headed north to tour Casey Key, lined with homes even more spectacular than any seen along Manasota Key. The route returned along the very pleasant Legacy trail. It all made the 40th Annual Southern Tandem Rally one to remember.
2017 – Salisbury, NC – 68 teams – What a great town. Not far from Charlotte this small town had it all and best of all two fantastic host teams; Dwight and Donna McKnight and Dan and Dolores Coughlin. We started celebrating Thursday night with a meet and greet at Morgan Ridge Railwalk Brewery and Eatery. Even the chalkboard welcomed us. Friday most of us drove, a few rode, north to Spencer, home of the North Carolina Transportation Museum. From there tandems were on totally country roads within 1 mile of the start. A wonderful ride on a perfect day with low traffic roads to Gold Hill Mines Historic Park and Village. A few stores were open and many couples planned to return for the music that evening and Saturday. Self guided tours of the transportation museum had us all amazed and hustling to fit in dinner and still make it to Morgan Ridge Vineyards for the dessert social. Saturday we rode from the hotel on great roads and returned to Morgan Ridge Railwalk and Brewery for a great lunch. A quick ride back to the hotel left time for exploring or relaxing prior to a fun dinner in the Historic Salisbury Train Depot. The trains rolled by as we enjoyed appetizers outside, then moved inside for dinner and dancing. Sunday morning we had time for one more tandem spin. The return trip included a tour through town.
2016 – Cookeville, TN – 74 teams – The event was extended to include more activities for the early arrivals. Early birds enjoyed visiting Northfield Vineyards in Sparta, Tennessee with wine sampling, listening to live Bluegrass music and a BBQ truck for dinner. The official beginning was Friday’s bike rides and ice cream social in the West Cookeville historic district at Cream City Ice Cream shop. The day dawned cool, but sunny and windy for Saturday’s ride to Sparta. Light tail winds helped us along toward bike parking at the First Christian Church. Once parked all riders enjoyed the Sparta Lester Flatt festival: Music, vendors, a chance to visit and tour Blue Collar pottery, the shop that produced our STR Christmas tree ornaments. It was a great day. Then we headed North, into the wind. Smart teams put together groups to ride in rolling pace lines. Some just slogged it out. All riders returned to warm showers and a great dinner at the Leslie Towne Centre just off the bike trail near downtown Cookeville. Sunday’s 27 mile ride through rolling hills was a perfect finish to a wonderful weekend. Ken and Vickie Adams you did a great job. And, it was such fun to see George and Judy Bacon helping out.
2015 – Richmond, VA – 105 teams registered – how many showed up? We’re really not sure. Southern Tandem Rally was a very different experience this year. Hosted one week after the UCI World Road Championships, Richmond was bicycle ready. Quite a few teams arrived up to one week early for several days of great bike riding hosted by Eric Osgood and Linda Wood in Williamsburg, Virginia. Each day the early birds listened to a report of threatening rain, then enjoyed overcast skies and dry roads. The rest of us arrived as the rain moved in for real AND the governor declared the entire state a natural disaster. Richmond didn’t set the record that South Carolina did that weekend, something like 26” inches of rain, but it was a wet, wet and kinda cold weekend. Many teams canceled. Many teams left early or arrived late. We stuck it out but never did get on our bike. The rally Friday rainy day activity: On the spur of the moment our hosts, Christen and Ryan Courville, rented the historic movie house in Ashland, Virginia and showed Breaking Away, a classic bike racing film about the Little 500 held at the University of Indiana each fall. Even as we watched the movie water was filling the floor on the front rows of the theater. We cheered the racers on and learned that one of our tandem riders had been part of the first real Woman’s Little 500. Ashland is a GREAT bike riding town that fully embraced the spirit of the World’s Bike Race and Southern Tandem Rally. Bicycle decorations were everywhere. Saturday, as on Friday, there were a few brave teams that headed out to ride the designated routes. The official route headed north to Ashland, included a stop at Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown home and lunch from the burrito truck. We joined others who opted for automobile exploration. Our group journeyed to Thomas Jefferson’s home – Monticello. As with breakfasts, the Saturday banquet included incredible food, but the crowd was thin. The historian from Scotchtown gave a great presentation where we all learned something, since the property was closed due to the rain / disaster designation. Sunday – well, the rain continued though a few teams did head out for one last ride. We congratulate all who rode and all of us look forward to a sunny rally in 2016.
2014 – Columbus, GA – 92 teams. We knew it would be special when we rolled into town by passing along Broadway, the main street full of restaurants, brew pubs, the local bike shop and more and came to our hotel. Park it and forget it. Our goodie bags were full to overflowing, a display cut out of the logo, t-shirts, stainless logoed drink cups, peach preserves, tasty spicy grit bits and more. The Friday ride headed north, exploring Columbus and the surrounding suburbs. Our police support was exceptional. What fun using the freight elevator to take the bikes to our rooms, except the teams in the old mill suites, they had their own private elevator. Friday evening most teams walked to town for dinner at their choice of restaurant, everything from Thai to sandwiches, before the dessert reception and bicycle games in the Loft restaurant, located beside and above the bike shop. We had fun admiring the super-soaker bike, inflating tires, (to explosion!), slow bike races, (on COASTER brake bikes), and guessing the weight of a cruiser tandem (a trim? 56 lbs 12 oz). The cake and cookies were appreciated by all. One cake flavor was a first for most of us, key lime. Saturday we headed east through nice neighborhoods, using the Fall Line Trace to exit town onto REALLY quiet country roads. Lunch was only a few miles from home in Flat Rock Park. Country’s BBQ had plenty for all. Our Saturday night banquet was at the convention hall across the street, overlooking the river. We enjoyed blue grass music while we socialized and gazed at the white water rafters finishing their run on the Chattahoochee. Our perfect weather weekend finished with a final ride south along the Chattahoochee River Walk onto Fort Benning, passing the airport, housing used in movie shoots, the newly re-opened Infantry museum and a return along the River Walk to our hotel. Thanks to our hosts Sherry & Jose Rodriguez and Ron & Sheri Scheiblauer. It was an outstanding Southern Tandem Rally.
2013 – Cullman, AL – 65 teams. The weekend weather was looking great. About ¾ of the teams began their weekend with the Friday ride from West Point. 3 restaurants, a church, Dollar General and a school didn’t create much traffic. West Point Baptist hosted our parking. The ride toured by the Civil War Museum, home of the married trees, and a covered bridge. The word was that Fred at the Civil War Museum was quite a character. The rally really began with a hors-d’oeuvres reception at the All-Steak restaurant. Sausages, wine cheese fondue, yeast pretzels, mini rubens and roast beef wrapped around a pickle. Yumm. Some had space for dinner, some did not. Saturday arrived with RAIN. Where did that come from? Fortunately it didn’t last long. Some started with the police escort, some waited a bit and the remote riders didn’t see a drop. Ave Maria Grotto was a hit as were sandwiches and soup from Rumor’s Deli. (Annette is a local cyclist). A cheese and fruit social kept the returning riders fueled as they awaited dinner at the Cullman Regional Medical Center. Turns out the food was pretty good, as was the speaker, local storyteller Dolores Hydock. Sunday was crisp (38 degrees). Many teams didn’t have enough warm clothes so headed on home. Those that rode enjoyed more scenic farm studded roads. Attendees took a neck pillow and microfiber golf towels home. Hosts – Jack & Susan Goertz with rally help from Alex Sallwey and Cathy Hyatt
2012 – St Augustine, FL – 136 teams. Renaissance Hotel at World of Golf Village. WOW. Glorious clear October weather for all 3 riding days. Economic downturn benefits tandem riding. Great roads, housing developments yet to be built meant low traffic riding. More interesting were the daily meanders along the St John’s River and the highlight of the day, our special treat at the rest stop. Oreo cookies, covered with peanut butter and topped with a bit of banana. Perfect cycling food. Canopy roads and lots of Spanish moss. We passed by a loved and used small historic church. The rally officially began with a scavenger hunt and ice cream social at the World of Golf Museum and Hall of Fame. Golf is one of the world’s oldest organized sports. Saturday all teams rode to Outback Crab Shack for your choice of low country boil, shrimp, mahi-mahi or crab cake lunches. The food was great and the waitresses were working so hard. The weather co-operated for our social and dinner on the patio. Rick and Debbie Brackett and the rest of the crew had really knocked our socks off with door prizes and awards for special categories.
2011 – Raleigh, NC – 67 teams. Rain, almost rain, and finally Sunday sun. The optional Friday ride started with clouds hanging over our heads. Claude promised 2 hours of good riding. She was dead on. At 11:05 the clouds opened up for a warm rain. Smooth roads, low traffic and most teams rode 50 miles (30 in the rain). The opening cake reception was at the Raleigh Art Museum. Beautiful venue and many teams explored the galleries. Saturday we woke to rain. About 1/3 of the teams headed out to ride out to and then around the lake in the rain. Some remote started late to avoid the rain, (and were successful) and some just started from the hotel later. A few bagged riding altogether. Lunch of Greek roll-ups and tabouli and baklava was great. The banquet at the Embassy Suites was nicely done. As we rolled out Sunday the sun came out! Another visit to a lake, this one through the high tech business park and slightly south on more great low traffic roads. Thanks Smith Doss & Claude Monnier – another great STR.
2010 – Florence, AL – 98 teams. Crisp, clear. Who could ask for nicer weather? The Marriott Shoals on the banks of the Tennessee River was our host hotel. Every room featured a balcony and river views. It was a bit cool for the pool but it featured an awesome slide & sand beach. Friday’s pre-ride began in Oakland. Cotton was in harvest and the gin was working. Most rode out along River Road to Waterloo. Before the dam Waterloo was a significant river crossing point and as such was used during the Trail of Tears exodus and the Civil War. Many teams visited the Culver Museum and then dined at the Waterloo café before climbing away from the river for the return trip to Oakland. The rally officially began with a dessert reception at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Dixie knew all the facts; the exhibits taught us much; and Red Velvet Cake, Chess Pie, fruit cup and Banana Pudding welcomed all to the South. Saturday we headed out to the Natchez Trace. A rest stop at Colbert Ferry, some rode to Mississippi, a couple of teams to Tennessee too, and almost all stopped at Tom’s Wall. A memorial to his greatgrandmother who was forced from her home with the Trail of Tears Tom has been building on the wall for years. A very memorable stop. Lunch was at the University of North Alabama GUI center. Soup and salads were perfect for this crisp day. It took a bit of convincing but most teams finally did stop to see the lions (yes Leo and Lena are real lions), before heading through the Florence historic district and returning to the Marriott. Many stopped at the W.C. Handy birthplace cabin, the Indian Mound, a visit to the locks and the Frank Lloyd Wright house were all popular afternoon activities. Dinner in the conference center, Southern BBQ with a twist – pulled pork with white sauce, couscous with roasted vegetables and three cheese Mac N Cheese. We ate them out of the original desserts – Fruit cobbler, Hummingbird and Chocolate Fudge Cake. Terry Pace, a former Fame Recording Studio employee provided the history, complete with music clips, of recording in the Shoals. Sunday we finished off with a tour across the dam into Lauderdale County and through the city of Tuscumbia. We began in the fog, which soon burned off. Finally the route was marked. The route passed by Ivy Green, Helen Keller’s childhood home. The bike route across the bridge provided a final photo opportunity before final good byes and the return home. Hosts – Jack & Susan Goertz.
2009 – The Villages, FL – 116 teams. HOT – Florida was setting record high temperatures. Most of us were riding early and shorter. The community was an attraction in and of itself. An active adult community, bus tours were included showing us the polo fields and other amenities. Golf cars were everywhere. The town square had vendors and live music each night. Chocolate. We were welcomed with a HUGE chocolate heart, we had chocolate in our packets and wonderful brownies with Saturday lunch. Saturday’s ride to the Carriage Museum showed us another way of life. Some were drenched when the skies opened up around noon. A wonderful rest stop at Love Field included views of a marsh and wildlife. A banquet at one of the community centers complete with handmade wooden tandem centerpieces. The one with the most change in their pocket took home the prize. Thanks Bob, Jan and all the STR 2009 committee.
2008 – Bowling Green, KY – Caves, Corvettes, & Cycling – and perfect weather to boot. Hosts Kent & Anne Ellis with help from Kentucky and Indiana tandem friends hosted a wonderful event. A group tour of the Corvette assembly plant was well attended. Most teams then hustled north to our Smith’s Grove ride start for a 30 or 60 mile ride through Mammoth Cave National Park. Friday night we found that Culvers Frozen Custard has arrived in Bowling Green. The custard and many types of homemade cookies were both enjoyed as old friends were greeted and new friends were made. Saturday’s mass start headed us south and west to a community center with more cookies and a tour and rest stop at South Union Shaker Museum (more cookies). We rode past fields ready to harvest, corn, beans and tobacco to Cheney’s Dairy Barn for lunch – pimento cheese for the southerners – no cookies – but ice cream for dessert. The University of Western Kentucky campus hosted our banquet and Anne’s helpers wowed us with the decorations – the food was a wow also – beautifully presented and almost too many selections. A bit of climbing on Sunday brought us to a welcome rest stop, (with a water tower view), stocked with watermelon and. . . cookies. We all took home commemorative fleece blankets, totes and bottle openers.
2007 – Chattanooga, TN – Hills & Valleys. Friday’s Lookout mountain valley (or King of Mountain) ride featured a police escort, beautiful valley views with almost no traffic, a rest stop at a closed store, and a tailwind finish. A young parishioner at Lookout Baptist Church delivered Gatorade to tired riders as we finished. Dinner on our own then Clumpie’s ice cream and homemade cookies rounded out the day. Saturday started with a splendiferous breakfast buffet at the Chattanoogan. We followed US 41, up and over the toe of Lookout Mountain, up and down along the river then on to another fantastic valley ride. The hang glider field provided a great rest stop location. KOM riders continued on south and up the mountain, the rest returned to River Front Park in Chattanooga. Valet parking provided by Chattanooga, and hosted by a local tandem team, fantastic sandwiches, a nearby carousel and lovely atmosphere in the park by the river just 2 miles from our hotel made for a great lunch. A few rode a 20 mile KOM loop after lunch. At the Saturday banquet an interpreter from the Tennessee Aquarium brought, spiders, turtles, frogs and snakes for our entertainment following a fantastic buffet. Sunday – a ride through the neighborhoods, again with almost no traffic and a rest stop at Red Bank Gallery featuring works by Eric Strauss – tandem rider Roger Strauss’ brother. Thanks Linda Wood, Eric Osgood, David & Christen Hunter. And also to the ‘Gang of 8’ Linda, Eric, David & Christen’s parents.
2006 – Sanford, NC – Sandhills of North Carolina. The rally began ‘unofficially’ with a 42 or 30mi ride to the House in the Horseshoe. Philip Alston built the house just before the Revolutionary War. The interpreter was fantastic, the weather perfect, rolling hills and a couple of bridges over the Deep River made for a perfect start to the rally. Saturday the teams departed for Jordan Lake Dam, more low traffic rolling riding (though it was almost ALL downhill to the dam) and a Lebanese picnic lunch at the hillside (steep up) pavilion in San-Lee park. Potteries to be found during the afternoon and generous food and beverage in the hospitality room before the banquet at the Civic Center. Salmon and chicken with bluegrass music and dancing after. More rollers on Sunday as all rode with a fast clip to beat the rain. Thanks Smith Doss & Claude Monnier.
2005 – Kingsport, TN – Tennessee’s bright spot – Two goodie bags – one with shirts and literature, the other filled with granola bars, cookies and more. Then there were the door prizes – really nice prizes donated by area businesses. Friday’s remote start took the teams on gently rolling, lightly traveled roads in Tennessee and Virginia. Two states during one rally! ‘Our’ room at the conference center easily accommodated the entire crowd for the pre-dinner social. Old and new friendships were renewed and made. Saturday a cool crisp morning saw the mass start ride across town, up the hill and onto quiet roads to Jonesboro, the oldest town in Tennessee. A local caterer provided great food in the awesome city welcome center, shops enticed many teams and the cool temps meant there wasn’t any hurry to return to the hotel. Saturday evening a casual buffet provided food for all (one of the most fantastic dessert tables we’ve ever seen, complete with Tennessee orange cake). Sunday we headed away from the hotel toward the west and were quickly on pleasant rolling roads, past homes with great Halloween decorations, and at the pumpkin patch a pumpkin that must have been 3′ in diameter.
2004 – Charlotte, NC – VROOM! WOW, Susana Sisk and John Talani had assembled the most awesome goodie bags for us, everything from gels and bars, mugs with our photos, admission into the Backing up Motor Museum and even toothpaste. A big group arrived on Friday, and remote started from Concord. A gorgeous small town, spectacular homes, quiet rolling roads once we got away from town. Lunch at George Washington Inn, they handled an unexpected crowd well. FREE ice cream at the creamery afterward (Lemon Ice) The owner is a cyclist and was delighted to see all the tandems. The rally started officially with our Friday night pizza and dessert social. Saturday was crisp and sunny, we started by riding 2 miles to the Lowes Motor Speedway. What a thrill! to ride 2 laps around the big oval. The adventurous rode high! Reed Gold Mine was about 30 pleasant miles away. Lunch was at Listke Park in the Big Barn. Plenty of food for all. Dinner saw us back at the speedway. What an awesome facility. We could watch the cart racing from indoor comfort, enjoy never-ending fabulous food and laugh at our ventriloquist with his new dummy, Jack Goertz. Sunday’s pleasant ride visited horse country on wonderful rural roads. One sad note, this is the first year Bob & Ruth Husky were not able to attend the rally. Note: Shortly before STR 2005 Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Mississippi Gulf coast. Bay St Louis was virtually wiped out. Our host for STR 2002 Hank & Susan Holcomb did not suffer any wind damage to their home or flooding though water was in homes just two houses away.
2003 – Tallahassee, FL – Heidi and Al Parker along with Angela and Greg Knecht hosted from the capital of Florida. The hotel was almost in sight of the Capitol. Friday a morning ride to McClay Gardens. Out through town on bike lanes (including US 90), then canopy roads and neighborhoods. We found Hopkins (a great local sandwich shop) for lunch. Halloween dress up at the Florida Historical Museum with dessert for all Friday night. Saturday, mass start for the long riders UP to the Capital at 20mph! out to St Marks Light House, Wakulla Springs for lunch and return. A banquet in the FSU stadium (it’s big) with the FSU Circus, perhaps the best entertainment for a STR Saturday! providing entertainment. Sunday great canopy road rides to finish.
2002 – Bay St Louis, MS – Two weeks before the rally – hurricanes hit the coast – Hank & Susan agonize – will there be a rally? Lots of work altering routes, but the roads were clear by rally time. Friday we began with a non-bike option – a visit to Stennis Test Facility. After lunch the bikes headed out – a tour along the beach and through town. Restaurants were scoped out for Friday dinner. Saturday Hank had at least 3 police departments co-ordinated to lead us across US 90 to Pass Christian then north to Diamondhead for lunch. He had even arranged to clear a major route blockage in Diamondhead. Thanks Hank, you saved us many miles of riding. 52 miles was the short ride for the day! Great roads, little traffic away from the coast, and buffalo. Dinner at the Casino Magic club house was all you could eat of fantastic food, followed by Charles Gray speaking about area history. Sunday was a FAST blast in the fog. Again, a full police escort through every light on US 90 for 10 miles!
2001 – Clemson, SC – Threatening rain. A Poker Run, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, to Central to see Pfeiffer Frames, back to Clemson to the botanic gardens, campus and campus town. Saturday rain threatened but most rode, through beautiful fall brushed, unoccupied, hilly(!) roads to Pendelton for lunch at Cox Hall. Some stopped to enjoy the city fair, some shopped in this historic town.
Quickly back to the indoor pool and offsite dinner at the wonderful Clemson Conference center. Sunday, rain arrived, only 7 hardy teams headed out.
2000 – Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA – Droughts make for perfect weather. A Velo competition; What is “raw”, “natural” and “sweet” – Why honey, of course. 26 questions with answers to be found along the route. We all missed trailer homes as bait at mile marker 8- tornado bait. Warm Springs was hosting its Fall Festival – a tractor parade and lunch at Ivey’s. Up, up, up to ride the ridge back to Callaway and tour the gardens. The costume party brought out some real creativity, Southern P’s were a winner.
1999 – Greensboro, NC – Perfect weather this year. We got tangled up in Airport traffic as we located the hotel – directly across from the terminal buildings. Friday we enjoyed a great ride to a working grist mill. Saturday we found more city riding than we expected as we rode through the battleground to lunch at the park and for the brave a continuation to the downtown street fair. We finished on Sunday with great country riding.
1998 – 20th Southern Tandem Rally – Selma, AL – A city tour, hosted by local cyclists. Selma has more historic homes than any other city in Alabama. Lunch at Old Cahawba State Park, there isn’t much left, the homes had all been moved into Selma! But the welcome center had a great slide show. We closed the weekend Sunday with a country ride then open house at the most gracious of old homes and a wonderful southern brunch on the lawn.
1997 – Lafayette, LA – Oil Country – and would you believe, orange groves many years ago. Lunch was at the Rip Van Winkle Gardens overlooking the lake that changed from freshwater to salt water virtually overnight. We toured the house and gardens, learning a bit about Joseph Jefferson, the actor that made Rip Van Winkle famous. Sunday we rode through horse country to visit the Evangeline Oak. This is Cajun land, so our meal and Saturday entertainment shared the tradition.
1996 – Sebring, FL – Long a wintering ground for snow birds, southern central Florida is flat with many small lakes and lots of cattle. The riding was low traffic and the local radio club had fun trying to figure out why all these folks enjoyed long bikes. In the evening a wandering magician kept young and old entranced. The closing lunch on Sunday was a nice way to say, “so long until next year.”
1995 – Asheville, NC – “Stop whining; Keep climbing” – The slogan on our shirts said so much. A return to the Smokies. This time we climbed UP to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stayed right downtown so we were able to explore Asheville. Many took the time to visit the Biltmore House. The short town tour took us by the Grove Park Inn. An Inn with a million dollar view.
1994 – Alexandria, LA – We were introduced to Cajun. Food and heritage was shared with us. The hosts took the time to locate a crawfish mound to decorate the center of each table. We rode past cotton and cane fields – harvest was in progress – visited a cotton gin and enjoyed lunch at a wonderful plantation (turned B&B) home.
1993 – Greensboro, NC – If you rode on Friday you did well. It was the ONLY dry day for this three day weekend. The local bike clothing outlet saw many of us, as did the furniture stores. Many dressed up for the Halloween banquet. Sunday saw a quick dispersing of the crowds as the rains continued.
1992 – Knoxville, TN – We climbed the Smokies. The majority rode up to the west entrance to Smokie Mountain National Park. The brave climbed up to Cades Cove. The return downhill was wonderful. Tales were told Saturday night as Sam Venable taught us the Tennessee dialect.
1991 – Plant City, FL – What were all those straight field long plastic covered mounds? We had to stop to discover they were for strawberries. Plant City greeted us with a dance recital followed by ice cream and…. strawberries. We knew we were in flat territory when we crossed more railroad tracks going more directions than we ever had before. Sunday was our day of flight. Hot air balloon rides (almost) and a visit to the local chicken farm converted to airport to meet the pilots and look at many experimental aircraft.
1990 – Mission Inn at Howie In the Hills, FL – A true resort hotel. I don’t think any one brought their golf clubs, but we could have. The bikes spent the night locked in the tennis court. We climbed central Florida’s MOUNTAIN. Infamous for Floridians, those from hilly areas wondered what all the fuss was about. We do know at least one tandem reached 55 mph on the downhill.
1989 – Griffin, GA – Wonderful rolling Georgia riding. What fun it was to encounter the civil war reenactment at Indian Springs State Park. The banquet was notable for the tight fit at the local country club tables.
1988 – Thomasville, GA – Southern Tandem Rally #10 – Thomasville rolled out the red carpet. We enjoyed exploring this winter home of the steel barons and found a taste of the steel baron plantation life interesting as we enjoyed tours and lunch at Pebble Hill plantation.
1987 – Cypress Gardens, Lakeland, FL – If you were lucky your room overlooked the Gardens. Each team was greeted with a carnation filled water bottle in their room. Bok Tower and gardens were an idyllic spot for our box lunches. Sunday’s brunch at Chalet Suzanne is memorable for the 5 star food and the amenities for the rich…. It had its own air strip.
1986 – Savannah, GA – Touring through town on our bikes, riding around the wonderful squares. The Saturday ride took us to the coast to explore coastal islands and see civil war defenses.
1985 – Ocala, FL – We enjoyed riding through horse country – white fences and big stables, very similar to Lexington, Kentucky. Saturday we rode north to McIntosh, a good Scottish town celebrating the day with a fair and parade. The tandems were a part of the parade! We returned to our hotel and a wonderful cookout by the lake.
1984 – Brevard, NC – We stayed at a camp, complete with cabins and bunk beds, and woke to chilly mornings! On Saturday we headed off into the fog. Visiting Carl Sandberg’s House and touring his goat farm. A great group dinner in camp.
1983 – Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA – Many lasting friendships were made because of the random room assignments in shared cottages. Exploring the gardens and FDR’s Little White House in Warm Springs are favorite memories. The first southern tandem rally that had a triplet with a trailer in tow.
1982 – Alabama State Park Tour – The tradition was continued – but just barely. The two teams carried their gear, camped and awoke to rain. We found Bob and Ruth Husky sleeping (?) in the laundry room. Climbed Mt Cheaha and found the Kaiser/Hudson car meet. At least we all made it to the top of the hill, one car had to be pushed.
1981 – Lake City, FL – The host inn was being restored, some rooms had only a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling. At least there were double beds! The riding and food were excellent. Visiting springs and riding along the Suwanee River. Churches hosted our evening meals.
1980 – Twin Pines Conference Center – Birmingham, AL – Twin beds, bunks at that, for all, including the honeymooners. A mile of gravel road to start and end each day.
1979 – Hard Labor Creek State Park – Rutledge, GA – A small group of tandem enthusiasts. We all camped in tents (except the organizers). Ride to breakfast, lunch and dinner. A century was almost accumulated on Saturday. Tandemists really do ride to eat.