The New England states are running late on the fall leaf change meaning there is still time to get up there for a weekend of fun. Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and the New England coast all have very tandem friendly areas beckoning your tandem team to check them out. Following the damaging hurricane of this last summer there are excellent travel deals available for last minute lodging.

On Columbus Day here is a reminder to get back in the saddle and enjoy the tandem.

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Fast forward to 1998 and Idaho completed the first 13 miles of the new multi-use trail. The Rail to Trail network is famous for converting scenic and useful stretches of abandoned railroad lines into useable bike paths for both commuting and recreation. The Route of the Hiawatha is strictly a recreational ride but is well worth the effort. Noted for scenic beauty and the excitement of a 1.5 mile long tunnel the trail has become a feather in the Rail to Trail crown.

Several options are available to riders seeking to complete the ride. The trail is managed by permit via a private concessionaire. The concessionaire operates shuttle buses running from the end of the trail back up to the top allowing novice riders to enjoy an all downhill ride without the hassle of pedaling back up the grade (1ooo ft of elevation over 16 miles). The shuttle buses are converted school buses with ample room in the back for tandem bikes.

For tandem teams seeking a more strenuous challenge parking at the lower trailhead and then riding up the trail first is an excellent option. The slower pace of the climb allows riders to take in more of the scenery of the surrounding hillsides and off the multiple trestle crossing, some as high as 230 ft above the ground. The surface of the trail is comprised of loose gravel worn into a double-track by late into the season. Tandems seeking to challenge the Hiawatha should mount tires suitable for softer gravel and loose soils, avoid skinny road tires. Trail passes are necessary and can be purchased at the major trail-heads or along the route via the marshals strategically stationed throughout the route (the are per person so 2 passes are required for a tandem team).

More information on the Route of the Hiawatha can be found at the following sources: Concessionaire Local Organization

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There are a series of multi-use trails that enter/exit and circumvent downtown DC creating endless opportunities for near car free touring. Following 9-11 increased security inside DC has all but eliminated the ease of car travel forcing the majority of tourists to hoof it around town anyways. With a tandem, and there were many spotted throughout the area, families are able to quickly travel between monuments, museums, and parks throughout the metro area without having to walk everywhere.

If any of this sounds appealing then we have your Fourth of July 2011 planned for you. Start out by driving, with your tandem in tow, to Mt Vernon and park in their free lot. Spend the day touring the plantation that was home to George Washington and enjoy the daytime fireworks, birthday cake, live bands, and revolutionary soldiers. Stay until the park closes at 5 pm then walk back to the car and change into your riding clothes.

Mt Vernon Fourth

Leaving from the parking area is Mt Vernon Trail traveling 15 miles north into Washington DC. Zigzagging along the Potomac river the trail is adjacent to the George Washington Parkway allowing you to easily imagine back to a time when this same route was traveled by the founding fathers and international dignitaries.

Alexandria, VA

Along the route the trail passes through downtown Alexandria, VA where you can stop at any one of a number of cafes for an enjoyable meal. After taking in the sights and sounds continue on the trail for the final 5 miles to the 14th Street Bridge. Crossing the bridge along the protected path you will exit at the Jefferson Memorial. Cross the street and find a spot along the water front adjacent to the Memorial and enjoy the evening fireworks over the National Mall.

After the fireworks end it is time to reverse the route and ride back to your car. Bring along a bright headlight and flashing tail-light. The first 2 miles will be packed with people but after passing Reagan Airport the crowds will thin and you will have the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful evening ride along the river. Make sure to stop within the trees to admire the countless flickering fireflies.

Just another great tandem outing brought to you by TandemBicycling.com

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The circular routes allow tandem teams to log significant mileage in the safety of this car free area. With a constant flow of foot and cycling traffic the scenery never gets old and the historic “cool” factor of riding inside this inner city park makes it a memorable day.

For more mileage tandem teams can venture out to the Manhatten Waterfront Greenway Bicycle Path. Eventually designed to be a complete bike path around the island of Manhatten the current route links existing bike paths and safe on street routes to create a 32 mile around the island route for cyclists.

Passing along the Hudson river with upclose views of the financial district, the World Trade Center site, and various other points of historical significance this ride should be a number one must do for any tandem team visiting the Big Apple.

On weekends the Greenway bike path is very popular so plan accordingly and pay attention. There are a couple of bike rental businesses that are combined with meandering tourists on foot to place a number of unaware obstructions onto the bike path. The sheer number of users and varied abilities makes this one of the more dangerous bike paths in the nation.

With spring here and summer approaching tandem teams planning vacations to the east coast should consider New York City as  a viable cycling destination. Pack the tandem and riding gear for a weekend in the city and enjoy a unique way to explore the sights (save on cab fare too).

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Starting off near the town of Twin Mountain NH the route followed the pavement for a few miles before veering off onto a gravel road. Once on the dirt the topography aggressively shifted from rolling to steep and the scenery continued to improve. Riding deep into the forest the gravel road eventually topped the peak and descended the backside of the mountain range where the route turned epic.

Following the route guide described in a forest service brochure from the 90’s the nice gravel gave way to overgrown old logging trails that meandered across remote terrain for miles. The trail was covered with 2-3 foot high plant growth masking the 1-2 inches of mud below. On any other bike this would have been a hiking expedition but the tandem mountain bike with the long wheelbase tracked solidly over the slushy surface. With a beautiful blue sky, comfortable temperatures, and an old guide book we navigated our way across the “outback” to finally emerge at a small campground at the northern base of Jefferson Notch Road.

Jefferson Notch, the highest publicly maintained road in New Hampshire, is really nothing more than a gravel road. From the campground to the peak at 3005 feet was another 1300 feet of vertical climbing including several grades of 10%; all occurring after 15 miles of difficult mountain tandem riding. They don’t get to be called epic for nothing.

After a grind up to the peak we were rewarded with a fast descent down to the base where the route exited onto the highway just past the famous Mt Washington Hotel. From this point on the ride was simply a test of wills to pedal the final 5 miles on pavement back to the start.

Epics don’t get planned but when they happen the fun and adventure gets eternally etched into your subconscious. So here is to your next epic ride.

Route: if you will be in the White Mountain area here is the route:

 

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For tandem teams seeking a challenge the better choice is to park in Damascus, climb the Creeper to Whitetop, and then return down the same trail. The round trip 35 mile ride is a true experience with amazing views of the adjacent stream and multiple trestle crossings. Riding a tandem on this trail it is very easy to begin imaging days gone by when steam trains chugged up the mountain hauling supplies to the top and returning with logs to the bottom.

Caution is suggested for teams that ride the trail on weekends. A number of the shuttle tourists are weak bike handlers and with the aid of gravity they become dangerous obstacles. The Virginia Creeper Trail is composed of packed dirt and gravel, tandem teams should only ride the trail with a tandem equipped to travel on the dirt surface. Find more info on the Virginia Creeper Website.

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Park anywhere near the campground and begin your riding up the paved road on the opposite side of the closed gate. After 2 miles the road splits, follow the road to the left across a concrete bridge. Ride an additional half-mile to the trailhead.

From the trailhead multiple loops and out and back rides are possible. The famous Neverending Road begins adjacent to the Trace Ridge Trail. Make sure to stop by a forest service office and purchase a trail map. During our ride some of the trail markings were difficult to spot and a detailed map would have benefited us.

The terrain is a mixture of steep singletrack, rolling double track, and technical descents. There are numerous water crossings and ample opportunities to get your tandem muddy. During our trip in late spring we spotted numerous wildflowers and flowering trees. A popular trail system for the more adventurous locals these trails make for fun riding on a tandem mountain bike.

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With over 30 tandem teams in attendance including guest star Sherwood Gibson, of Ventana Mountain Bikes fame, the large group made a real impression on the locals. Covering a combined estimated total of over 1000 trail miles the teams enjoyed comfortable weather and tacky trails. Bent Creek Trails combines excellent singletrack and gravel road connectors to challenge the assembled teams with technical descents and aggressive climbs.

Alex brought along several demo tandems from Ventana and Fandango including some new 29′er models. Riders that test rode these new rigs dismounted them very impressed and often with a new excuse to upgrade the old ride. With Mr Gibson on hand to provide insights into the design process and technical characteristics of the various tandems available, no questions went unanswered.

Official rides kicked off Saturday morning with a group ascent up the Rice Pinnacle fire road where the teams eventually split up for various routes. Lunch was provided at the NC Arboretum in a designated room with magnificent views of the lush hills; the clean facilities were a definite contrast to the dirt and sweat covered tandem teams. After lunch rides were muted versions of earlier loops with the teams fending off fatigue to enjoy a few more miles of singletrack.

Following quick showers and lite naps the teams re-assembled for a catered backyard BBQ at the offices of Carolina Farm Credit. The friendly atmosphere and jovial mood made for a wonderful evening with newly found friends and old acquaintances alike. TandemBicycling.com used the occasion to introduce newly released tandem jerseys (see them here) by presenting them as raffle items in association with a number of excellent door prizes provided by Alex of MTBTandems.

Sunday morning opened with beautiful blue skies and comfortable temperatures. The tandem teams were treated to drier trails and excellent conditions to close out the weekend of riding. A weekend with AORTA really touched the heart, if you will excuse the pun. As we reflect back, the entire event reminisces of the early years of mountain biking; back when NORBA was independent and events were about fun. A weekend in Asheville on the Bent Creek Trails was a magical experience for all in attendance.

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Parking at the dirt lot immediately upon entering the area riders can access the loop single-track trails that traverse the heavily wooded and undulating terrain. For tandem teams these trails are the perfect combination of fun and challenge with small climbs, fast rolling descents, and meandering trails through the trees.

Trail maps are available at the parking kiosk and all trails are visibly marked. A large volume of locals utilize these trails so getting lost is a non-option.

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Arriving late in the day or early morning will enable you to park within the small visitor center parking area. Otherwise parking is available on the shoulder of the highway (not recommended). Entering the park you will have to pay a NPS fee but this ride is well worth the price of admission.

Completely flat the out and back loop travels counter-clockwise along the swamps that are teeming with wild-life including alligators. For a tandem ride this one is not for the faint of heart. The gators are hanging out along and on the trail. They seemed used to the foot and single bike traffic but the tandem was a new treat for them. At one point a very large gator positioned immediately next to the trail opened its jaws to challenge our test team as they rode past.

In the end our testers didn’t die rather they had a blast giving this easy trail four thumbs up for scenery and adventure. A must ride for any tandem team in the South Florida area

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