Journal Comments - It's been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon... - CycleBlaze

Journal Comments

From It's been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon... by Ben Parke

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Ben Parke replied to a comment by Keith Klein on Day 5 - Monticello to Home

The velo can be a good touring machine in the right circumstances. The weather was not supposed to be that hot that week. With a hood to keep the sun off and better air circulation it might have been tolerable.

The biggest issue is that normally I tour in Europe where the infrastructure is incredibly well-developed compared to here. I’ve been spoiled by the inexpensive nice guest houses, the excellent food, and the resources along the routes. The US has a long way to go to match that. If I do another velomobile tour, it will be in Europe on one of the river routes. Condor Airlines will actually ship a velomobile as baggage. I know of a couple people who have done so recently.

1 year ago
Keith Klein commented on Day 5 - Monticello to Home

Hi Ben,
As an ex-Minnesotan I followed along with your tour with interest. I suspect you’ve found that the vélo mobile is not really the right tool for the job. Hot weather does not seem to favor the vélo, nor is it really a tourer despite its luggage capacity. I also suspect the equipment failures (think camping mat) didn’t help matters either. But what of it? The expérience gained will surly help for any future tours. Hope to hear from you again. Thanks for the journal.
Cheers,
Keith

1 year ago
Ben Parke replied to a comment by Alvina Cook on Day 5 - Monticello to Home

Fun to actually meet someone I knew while out riding. What were the chances?!?

1 year ago
Alvina Cook commented on Day 5 - Monticello to Home

Timing was just about perfect --Sorry about the hill tho!! We just knew that street was a not so busy road to pull off on! And we wanted to see you in your roadrunner!! Glad you made it home!!

1 year ago
Ben Parke replied to a comment by Scott Anderson on a photo in Day 4 - Sauk Centre to Monticello

Ha. No, I did not pee in the fountain. I found a randomly placed porta potty on the trail down by the river at a power substation. It has to be about the most random spot I've ever found for a porta potty.

1 year ago
Scott Anderson commented on a photo in Day 4 - Sauk Centre to Monticello

I’m not clear here, but are you saying you used the fountain because nothing else was available? Hope not, particularly tith two college girls standing by.

1 year ago
Rich Frasier commented on a photo in Day 1 - Bloomington to Clearwater

I love this!! Looks fantastic!

1 year ago
Kathy Parke commented on a photo in Day 2 - Clearwater to Sauk Centre

It's a re-created historic village with buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s.

1 year ago
Scott Anderson commented on a photo in Day 1 - Bloomington to Clearwater

OK. The roadrunner is pretty cool alright.

1 year ago
Ben Parke replied to a comment by Rachael Anderson on a photo in Day 1 - Bloomington to Clearwater

Well, it was pretty dark at the campsite, but the road riding I had enough light to see. I need to adjust the aim of my headlights. I think I have the necessary tools to fix that. Perhaps tomorrow after dark. Definitely touring always takes longer than expected. This is the slowest speed I’ve ever averaged with this bike. Tomorrow will hopefully be much faster.

1 year ago
Rachael Anderson commented on a photo in Day 1 - Bloomington to Clearwater

Great photo! Glad you made it before it got dark. Last year when we were touring in Italy, we were riding on a very busy road as it was getting dark and it was scary but fortunately I’m good at staying focused and we made it. It seems like rides almost always take longer than you think they will!

1 year ago
Ben Parke replied to a comment by Mike Ayling on a photo in What the heck is a velomobile????

I considered that as well. Odd choice for a bike that’s terrible at going uphill. I don’t believe they give out KOM points for fastest downhill lol.

1 year ago
Keith Adams replied to a comment by Mike Ayling on a photo in What the heck is a velomobile????

That was my first thought was well.

1 year ago
Mike Ayling commented on a photo in What the heck is a velomobile????

King of the Mountains perhaps?

1 year ago
Ben Parke replied to a comment by Scott Anderson on What the heck is a velomobile????

Ah, but then I can’t justify putting a reflective decal of Wile E Coyote doing a face plant with a taunting roadrunner looking on on my bike. It’s all about the decals, man.

1 year ago