Mr. Peanut Goes Cycling
There’s something for everyone on The Great Peanut Bicycle Tour
Members of the Peanut Gallery assemble for a group portrait. That’s tour director Bobby Wrenn directly above the “The.”
chosen the quarter-century. I want to allow drive from my home in Pennsylvania?
I
t’s a September Saturday in rural Vir-
ginia — the third morning of a four- plenty of time for photos, and to partake at Partly, it’s that buzz of excitement,
day event called The Great Peanut all the rest stops, as this tour has a reputa- impossible not to feel when hundreds of rid-
Bicycle Tour — and on these flat, tion for its quirky, but delicious, feeds, and ers gather in one place. The jerseys in kalei-
lightly trafficked roads I’ve seen every con- friendly hospitality. doscope colors, with every improbable club
figuration of family cycling imaginable. Already, organizer Robert “Bobby” and event name (like Tour de Farm and Bal-
Helmeted infants in baby seats, tots in trail- Wrenn has warned me, “I don’t let anybody timore’s CRABS — Couples Riding
ers, kids stoking tandems or pedaling trail- come back who loses weight on this tour!” Around on Bicycles), are instant conversa-
a-bikes, mom and dad with their youngster I have nothing to worry about. At Mile tion-starters. Those things that set us apart
on a triplet. After breakfast yesterday I even 15’s “Famous Cucumber Stop” I am alter- when we train alone at home — the bikes,
met a fellow named Vernon Bailey who nately taking pictures and chowing down. I the shiny shorts, the helmets — are sudden-
couldn’t leave his beloved pet behind: seat- munch homemade sweet cucumber pickles. ly the norm, and we’re sharing them, even
ed sedately in Vernon’s bicycle trailer, a I try a cucumber sandwich with a tomato- joking about them. At a water stop, a pair of
small Sheltie named Chipper looked ready cucumber relish folks are raving about. I dip ample women in psychedelic Mike’s Bike
to roll. crackers into a pool of sour cream, lumpy Shop jerseys scuttle out of camera-range.
“Chipper’s doing 81 miles today,” Bai- with cukes and chopped onion. And I watch One cracks, “We’re more ‘span’ than
ley said proudly. riders rounding the corner, zeroing in on ‘dex’!”
I was impressed. this popular stop. Just after arrival, waiting in line for my
“Chipper’s very fit!” I quipped. What is it that draws so many family registration packet, I meet pixie-haired Sally
I am taking a more laid-back approach. cyclists — altogether about 1150 riders of from Ontario. In five minutes, we discover
While ambitious riders like Vernon have all types from 23 states plus D.C. and Cana- we were in the same park (a hiking and bik-
opted for other, longer routes, today I’ve da — to this mass ride that starts each year ing paradise) in Newfoundland at the same
on the first Thursday after Labor Day? time this summer. We trade stories about
By Susan Weaver What brought me here alone, a seven-hour our adventures. It’s that “small world” of
Adventure Cyclist • January/February 2001
cycling that makes waiting in line at a big how Janet, now retired, discovered the bicy- of The Good Earth Peanut Company. Open
ride more than just waiting in line. These cle just a dozen years ago. Plus, I got a kick for business, the outlet store is a funky old
bonds, as much as the chance to ride your out of seeing cycling nurtured among the building with a porch that made a good
bike, are the big appeal of a mass ride. And youngsters in our group, as Janet and Bob perch for relaxing riders. Julie’s daughter
The Great Peanut Bicycle Tour has its own advised their 15-year-old grandson the night hopped off to make friends with the store’s
particular appeal on top of that. before his first century attempt. tabby. I saw Janet and Bob, already in line
Picture somebody planning a big ride “You can do it, Adam!” said Janet, as we for samples of honey-roasted and Cajun
and saying, “Have it your way.” That’s The all wondered silently whether this boy real- peanuts, and this stop’s unique treat, a big
Great Peanut Bicycle Tour. The key is the ly could. bowl of sweet, greenish cubes of watermel-
event’s unusual “cloverleaf” format. Head- In the morning, though, I felt a little on pickle, just like my grandmother made
quartered at Cattail Creek Campground near guilty for not choosing a more ambitious years ago.
the Virginia/North Carolina border, loop distance, I loved starting off on a 25-miler Lots of folks here had never tried pick-
rides depart from the campground each day with the Fergusons’ friend Wayne, pulling led watermelon rind, but that didn’t stop
in patterns resembling a cloverleaf. There his two wide-eyed little boys in a trailer, them. There was also watermelon pickle-
are short rides (25 miles), medium rides (50 one of them sucking on a pacifier. His wife cream cheese to spread on crackers, which
miles), long rides (62, 81, 125 miles) — Julie tandemed their young daughter on an was new to me, but everybody was going
take your choice — over flat or gently Alley Cat. gaga over it, and it was good.
rolling countryside. You also have the We rode at a comfortable talking-pace. Behind the table, greeting everyone and
option to camp, pitching your tent once and Red arrows painted on the road at each turn answering their questions, the woman in the
not having to move it, or stay at a motel. eliminated any need for the cue sheet I had watermelon-patterned apron turned out to
You can buy the meal plan, cook for your- tucked into the plastic window of my bike be Virginia Wrenn, the Tour organizer’s sis-
self, or drive into nearby Emporia (pop. bag. Sun filtered through trees that formed a ter-in-law. She had made 22 gallons of
5000) for a restaurant. Lots of choices! canopy over the quiet road; you’d never watermelon pickles for this event, she told
Before a friend recommended it, I’d have known there were some 400 cyclists me.
never heard of The Great Peanut Bicycle strung out in front of us and behind us. We With more time to talk, her husband Sol
Tour. Once I read the brochure, I could see spun along, watching for the big plywood said they had hosted this stop for ten years
it offered something for everyone. Even cutouts of Mr. Peanut, looking jaunty in his now.
non-cyclist family members could go along bike helmet and cycling shorts, that marked “Everybody seems to be in such a good
for guided walks in the campground on Sat- rest stops along the way. mood,” he said, seguing with a smile into a
urday morning, when there was a virtual Just after a set of railroad tracks, there story about a freight train engineer on the
symposium of outings to discover the birds, was Mr. Peanut, ushering us into The CSX line from New York to Florida who
edible plants, insects, and wildflowers of Watermelon Pickle Stop in the parking lot stopped his train here last year. He jumped
the region. A harpist would play during Fri-
day night’s catfish fry, and a bagpiper
would perform during Saturday night’s
Picking Your Party on Wheels temperatures go over 90, I personally start to
feel it. That’s why I picked a September ride
chicken barbecue. Later in the evenings, had a super time on The Great Peanut Bicy-
I
(instead of mid-summer) for cycling the
there would be campfires and marshmallow cle Tour, and hope you have just as much South. What about rain? You gotta be pre-
roasts, with entertainment provided by a fun on the event you choose. In the accom- pared for it wherever you choose, but some
storyteller or singer. It sounded like a good panying story I’ve hinted at a few points I rides have a sort of macho reputation for mon-
time to me. considered before signing up. Here, I hope soon conditions. Do you care?
And it was. Shortly after arrival at Cat- I’m leaving you with a handy little reminder Scenery. What do you consider spectacu-
tail Creek Campground, I joined my Mary- list — things to ask or take into account — as lar or appealing for the roadside view? Is this
land friends, Janet and Bob Ferguson, who you narrow your choices. If you’re inviting a top priority?
talked up the event in the first place. They family or friends, think about their prefer- The more the merrier? What’s a big
were sharing a wooded campsite, not just ences, too, especially those of the weaker group for you, 250 or 2500? How does the
with me and cyclists in the group. Don’t event handle the crowds — on the roads, at
my tent, but hesitate to ask questions of meals, with sleeping accommodations? A
with their the events’ organizers, choice of routes, for example, can provide
daughter including requesting some more elbow room for cycling on a big ride.
and her names of people you could (On these events crashes are often among
teenage son contact for their impres- bikes, without cars involved. Once you sign
Adam who sions of the ride. on, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on group-riding
had driven Your style. Do you like skills, like using hand signals, warning before
PHOTO BY SUSAN WEAVER
all the way a challenge, or do you want passing, and not following too closely. Other
from Flori- a more easy-going itiner- cyclists may be less skilled than you are.)
da, and two ary? Consider terrain and Event organization. Unbiased recommen-
“adopted” daily mileage. Remember, dations from participants are probably your
families if you like to get off the best gauge of how smoothly an event is run,
they’d met saddle and explore during how good the food is, and the like.
on previous the day, or chat up other Prices. If concerned about getting the most
cycling out- Vernon Bailey and riding partner, Chipper. cyclists at the rest stops, for your money, factor in all the costs: regis-
ings. the same distance over similar tration, meals, lodging, travel. Then compare.
“I hope you like kids!” Janet said. terrain as a ride at home will take longer. If But remember, you’re investing your time as
The arrangement proved more “cozy” you dote on hills, a perfectly flat route might well. Sometimes it’s worth it to spend a little
than “crowded.” It was fun to flop in a bore you silly. more.
camp chair during free time and get to Climate. Some may like it hot, but if the -S.W.
know these folks. To hear, for example,
Adventure Cyclist • January/February 2001
This list, compiled by Cyclists’ Yellow Pages editor Mike Deme, features the
2001 top cycling events in North America. A more comprehensive list of events will
Event be included in the 2001 edition of the Yellow Pages, which will be available to
members soon. To become an Adventure Cycling member, call (800) 755-
Guide 2453; or visit our website: www.adventurecycling.org
ALABAMA: Bicycle Across Mag- ■ Pedal The Peaks, Cycle Ameri- ILLINOIS: Around Illinois Back ■ Trek Across Maine, ALA of
nificent Alabama, P.O. Box 4222, ca, P. O. Box 485, Cannon Falls, Roads, Joliet Bicycle Club, P.O. Maine, 122 State St., Augusta, ME
Tallahassee, AL 32315, 256-658- MN 55009. 800-245-3263; Web: Box 2758, Joliet, IL 60436, Email: 04330. 800-458-6472, Web:
5189, Email: morton@bikebama www.CycleAmerica.com Rider larry317@gateway.net, Web: www.mainlung.org Rider limit:
.com, Web: www.bikebama.com. limit: 550; 500 miles. June/July. www.jolietbicycleclub.org. August 2000; 180 miles. June 15-17.
5-11. 250 participants; 400+ miles.
Rider limit: 300; 400-550 miles.
June 9-16. ■ Tabeguache Tour de Gold, 1635 MARYLAND: Cycle Across
Ironton Court, Montrose, CO ■ CowaLUNGa 2001, ALA 1440 Maryland Tour, CAM Corpora-
W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, IL tion, 7 Church Lane, Suite 8, Balti-
ALASKA: Alaska Aids Vaccine 81401, 970-249-8055, Web:
60607. 312-243-2000 (ext. 282), more, MD 21208, 888-CAM-RIDE
Ride, Pallotta TeamWorks, 1525 www.copmoba.com. Rider limit: 25;
125 miles. September 29-October Web: www.cowalunga.com Rider or 410-653-8288, Web: www.cycle
Crossroads Of The World, Los xmd.org. Rider limit: 1500; 300
2. limit: 500, 180 miles. August 11-
Angeles, CA 90028, 323-467-8888, miles. July 20-26.
13.
Email: info@vaccineride.org, Web:
www.vaccineride.org. Rider limit: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: MASSACHUSETTS: MassBike
1200; 500 miles. August 20-25. Washington DC AIDS Ride, Pal- INDIANA: Touring Ride In
Rural Indiana, PO Box 439, Clear Tour, 59 Temple Place, #669,
lotta TeamWorks, 1525 Crossroads Boston, MA 02111. 617-542-2453,
Creek, IN 47426. 812-332-6028,
ARIZONA: Great Arizona Bicy- Of The World, Los Angeles, CA
Web: www.bloomington.in.us/~ Email: bikeinfo@massbike.org,
cle Adventure, P.O. Box 40814, 90028, 323-467-8888, Web: Web: www.massbike.org. Rider
bbc/triri/triri.htm Rider limit: 500;
Tucson, AZ 85717. 520-690-7900, www.aidsride.org. Rider limit: 400+ miles. June 24-30. September limit: 250; 400 miles. July 2001.
Web: www.bikegaba.com Rider 2850; 500 miles. June 21-24, 2001. Escapade: Rider limit: 250; 500+
limit: 200; 500 miles. October miles. September 16-24. MICHIGAN: Michigander, RTC
2001. FLORIDA: Bike Florida, P.O. Box Michigan 913 W. Holmes Rd.,
451514, Kissimmee, FL 34745, IOWA: Register's Annual Great Lansing, MI 48910. 517-393-6022,
CALIFORNIA: California AIDS 407-343-1992, Web: www.bike Bike Ride Across Iowa, P.O. Box Web: www.railtrails.org/mipage
Ride, Pallotta TeamWorks, 1525 florida.org Rider limit: 850; 300+ 622, Des Moines, IA 50303. 800- .html. 300 miles (off-road). July 15-
Crossroads Of The World, Los miles. April 7-12. 474-3342, Web: www.ragbrai.org. 21.
Angeles, CA 90028. 323-467-8888, Rider limit: 8500; 450 miles. July
Web: www.aidsride.org. Rider ■ Florida Bicycle Safari, Florida 22-28. ■ Pedal Across Lower Michigan,
limit: 5000. June 3-9. Freewheelers, P.O. Box 916524, Box 7161, Ann Arbor, MI 48107.
Longwood, FL 32791. 407-788- ■ The Other Great Iowa Ride, 734-669-0172. Web: www.lmb
■ California North Tour, Imagine BIKE, Web: www.floridafree 1735 Piccadilly Pl., Davenport, IA .org/palm Rider limit: 700; 300
Tours P.O. Box 475, Davis, CA wheelers.com Rider limit: 200; 460 52807. 319-344-1379, Web: miles. June 23-29.
95617.888-592-2453, Web: miles. April 7-12. www.togir.com Rider limit: 125;
www.imaginetours.com. Rider 420 miles. June 17-23. ■ Tour da U.P., Associated Family
limit: 500. May 5-12. GEORGIA: Bicycle Ride Across Care, 1009 W. Ridge Street, Suite
■ Central California Coast Tour,
Georgia, P.O. Box 871111, Stone KANSAS: Biking Across Kansas, B, Marquette, MI 49855, 906-226-
Mountain, GA 30087. 770-921- P.O. Box 8684, Wichita, KS 67208, 5059, Web: www.teachingfamily
Imagine Tours P.O. Box 475, 6166, Web: www.brag.org Rider 316-684-8184, Fax: 316-684-5099, homes.com/tourdaup. Rider limit:
Davis, CA 95617.888-592-2453, limit: 3000; 400+ miles. June 16- Web: www.bak.org. 300 miles. 125; 250 miles. August 5-9.
Web: www.imaginetours.com. 23. June 9-16.
October 3-7. ■ Shoreline Bicycle Tours, League
HAWAII: Wheeling Hawaii 2001, LOUISIANA: Bike Louisiana of Michigan Bicyclists, P.O. Box
■ Sierra to the Sea, Almaden Tim Kneeland & Associates, Inc., Louisiana Games, 1400 Poydras 6201, Lansing, MI 48901, 517-334-
Cycle Touring Club, P.O. Box 200 Lake Washington Blvd., Suite St., Suite 918, New Orleans, LA 9100, Web: www.lmb.org/shore2k
7286, San Jose, CA 95150. Web: 101, Seattle, WA 98122-6540, 800- 70122, 504-LA GAMES, Web:
433-0528, Web: www.odyssey /shtours.htm. Circle: 268 miles.
www.actc.org. Rider limit: 100; 400 www.lousianagames.com. April 19- July 21-28; West: 388 miles. July
miles. June 16-23. 2000.com. 300 miles. March 11- 22.
17. 28-August 4; BowTie: 361 miles.
August 4-11; Northern Exposure:
COLORADO: Cycle The Divide, MAINE: Maine's Original Out- 263 miles. August 5-11.
Adventure Cycling Association,
IDAHO: Idaho Bicycle Ride, standing Super Adventure, CAN
P.O. Box 8308, Missoula, MT, Scenic Cycling, 1324 NW Vicks- AM Wheelers, 140 Emerson, Nor-
burg, Bend, OR 97701, 541-385- way. ME 04268, 207-743-9018, ■ Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour,
59807. 800-755-2453, Web: 37727 Professional Center Dr.,
www. adventurecycling.org Off- 5257, Web: www.scenic-cycling Web: www.canamwheelers.com
road tour. Rider limit: 60; 245 .com. Rider limit: 250; 400 miles. July 22-28. Suite # 351, Livonia, MI 48154,
miles. July 11-17. July 15-21. 888-857-9474, Web: www.wish
■ Coastal Tour Maine Wheels, mich.org. 300 rider limit; 300
■ SPUDS, Cyclevents, P.O. Box P.O. Box 229, Norway, ME 04268. miles. July 26-29.
■ Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, P.O.
Box 1389, Durango, CO 81302. 725, Hilo, HI 96721, 888-733- 207-743-5993, Web: www.moose
970-259-4621, Web: www.duran 9615, Web: www.cyclevents.com. tour.com Rider limit: 65; 300 miles. MINNESOTA: Habitat 500, Habi-
go.com/ironhorse An on-and off- Rider limit; 100/40; 354 miles. July 8-13. tat For Humanity, 3001 4th Street
road event. May 26-28. August 12-17/9-14 (camping/ SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414. 612-
motel). ■ Moose Tour Maine Wheels, 331-4090, Web: www.habitat500.
P.O. Box 229, Norway, ME 04268. org Rider limit: 125; 500 miles.
July 15-21.
207-743-5993, Web: www.moose
tour.com. Rider limit: 160; 330
miles. August 5-10.
Adventure Cyclist • January/February 2001
■ The Ride Across Minnesota, ■ 40th annual Tour of the Scioto WASHINGTON: Cycle Washing- NATIONAL & REGIONAL:
National MS Society, Minnesota River Valley (TOSRV), Columbus ton, Adventure Cycling Associa- Boston-NewYork AIDS Ride, Pal-
Chapter, 200 12th Avenue South, Outdoor Pursuits, P.O. Box 14384, tion, P.O. Box 8308, Missoula, MT, lotta TeamWorks, 1525 Crossroads
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1255, Columbus, OH 43214, 614-529- 59807. 800-755-2453, Web: www. Of The World, Los Angeles, CA
612-335-7925. www.mssociety.com. 8880, Web: www.tosrv.org. Rider adventurecycling.org Rider limit: 90028, Web: www.aidsride.org.
300 miles. July 22-27. limit: 4000. 210 miles. May 12-13. 150; 450 miles. July 14-21.
4400 riders. July 19-22.
MISSOURI: Cycle Across Mis- OKLAHOMA: Oklahoma Free- ■ Wheeling Washington 2001,
■ Canada-U.S. AIDS Vaccine
souri, HIAYH/Gateway Council, wheel, P.O. Box 2389, Tulsa, OK Tim Kneeland & Associates, Inc.,
Ride, Pallotta TeamWorks, 1525
7187 Manchester Rd., St. Louis, 74101. 918-582-BIKE, Web: 200 Lake Washington Blvd., Suite
Crossroads Of The World, Los
MO 63143-2450, 314-644-4660, www.okfreewheel.com June 10-16. 101, Seattle, WA 98122-6540, 800-
Web: www.gatewayhiayh.org. Rider Angeles, CA 90028, 323-467-8888,
433-0528, Web: www.odyssey2000
limit: 350. June 17-23. Web: www.vaccineride.org. 400
OREGON: Cycle Oregon, Peter .com. 397 miles. September 2-8.
miles. September 5-9.
Jacobson Productions, 8700 Nim-
MONTANA: Cycle Montana, bus Ave., Beaverton, OR 97008. ■ Trek Tri-Island, ALA of Wash-
Adventure Cycling Association ■ Heartland AIDS Ride, Pallotta
800-292-5367, Web: www.cycleore ington, Trek Director, 2625 Third
P.O. Box 8308, Missoula, MT, gon.com Rider limit: 2000. Septem- TeamWorks, 1525 Crossroads Of
Ave., Seattle, WA 98121-1200,
59807. 800-755-2453, Web: ber 8-15. The World, Los Angeles, CA
www.adventurecycling.org. Rider 800-732-9339, 206-441-5100, Fax:
90028, 323-467-8888, Web:
limit 300; 314 miles. July 21-27. 206-441-3277, Web: www.alaw.org.
■ Oregon Bicycle Ride, Scenic www.aidsride.org. Twin Cities to
135 miles. September 8-10, 15-17
Cycling, 1324 NW Vicksburg, Chicago. 2850 riders; 500 miles.
■ Montana AIDS Vaccine Ride, and 22-24.
Bend, OR 97701, 541-385-5257, July 9-14.
Pallotta TeamWorks, 1525 Cross- Web: www.scenic-cycling.com.
roads Of The World, Los Angeles, Rider limit: 250; 425 miles. August
WISCONSIN: Chequamegon Fat ■ New England Adventure, Tri-
CA 90028, 323-467-8888, Web: Tire Festival, Chequamegon Fat State Wheelers, P.O. Box 809,
12-18. Tire Festival, P.O. Box 267, c/o
www.vaccineride.org. July 30- Saratoga Springs, New York
August 5, 2001. Rider limit: 2800; Telemark Resort, Cable, Wisconsin
■ Tour de Lane 2000, Pathfinders, 54821, 715-798-3594, Web: 12866-0809, 518-584-3102, Web:
575 miles. P.O. Box 210, Oakridge, OR www.cheqfattire.com. Rider limit: www.newenglandadventure.com.
97463, 800-778-4838, Web: 2500. September 14-16. Rider limit: 100; 225-320 miles.
NEBRASKA: Bicycle Ride Across www.path-finders.com Rider limit: August 17.
Nebraska, 10730 Pacific St., Suite 25; 385 miles. August 10-16. ■ Great Annual Bicycle Adven-
218, Omaha, NE. 407-397-9785, ture Along the Wisconsin River, ■ The New England Classic,
Web: www.bran-inc.org. Rider American Diabetes Association, 1
limit: 600; 515 miles. June 10-16. PENNSYLVANIA: Altoona Bike- Bike Wisconsin, P.O. Box 310,
Fest 2001, League of American Spring Green, WI 53588. 888-575- Bromfield Street, 5th floor, Boston,
Bicyclists 1612 K St. NW Suite 3640, Web: www.bikewisconsin.org MA 02108, 800-229-2559, Web:
NEVADA: One Awesome Tour 401, Washington, DC 20006, 202- Rider limit: 1100; 490 miles. June www.diabetes.org. Rider limit: 250;
Bike Ride Across Nevada, TGFT
Productions/Bike the West, P.O. 822-1333, Web: www.bikeleague 30-July 7. 550 miles. July 14-20.
Box 5123, Lake Tahoe, NV 89449. .org. August 3-5.
800-565-2704, Web: www.bike ■ Northwoods to Capitol Tour, ■ Tour des Trees, 571 Stanton
thewest.com. 420 miles. September SOUTH CAROLINA: Cycle South P.O. Box 3142, Madison, WI Drive, St. Helena, CA 94574, 707-
16-22. Carolina, P.O. Box 3346, Spartan- 53704. 608-244-6598, Web: www. 967-8984, Web: www.tourdes
burg, SC 29304. 800-636-6773, bikenorthwoods.com Rider limit: trees.org. Rider limit: 75; 600+
NEW YORK: Bon Ton Roulet, Web: www.cyclesouthcarolina.com. 300; 367 miles. June 23-July 1. miles. August 5-12.
Cortland YMCA, 22 Tompkins St., June 25-29.
Cortland, NY 13045, 607-756-2893 ■ Sprocket's Annual Great Bicy- ■ Yankee Tour 2001, MSPCC,
or 315-253-5304, Web: www.bon TEXAS: Texas Chainring Chal- cle Ride Across Wisconsin, Bike 555 Amory St., Jamaica Plain, MA
tonroulet.com. Rider limit: 600; 350 lenge 2001, Longview Bicycle Wisconsin, P.O. Box 310, Spring 02130, 617-983-5835, Web:
miles. July 22-28. Club, 1609 Sweetbriar, Longview, www.mspcc.org. 500 miles. July
TX 75604, 800-374-2453, Web: Green, WI 53588. 888-575-3640,
www.texchainring.com. Rider limit: Web: www.bikewisconsin.org Rider 17-21.
■ Cycling the Erie Canal, NY
175; 400-450 miles. June 3-9. limit: 750; 325 miles. August 5-11.
Parks & Conservation Association,
29 Elk St., Albany, NY 12207. 518-
CANADA: Braunstorm, Touring
UTAH: Cycle Utah, Adventure ■ Wisconsin Event Rides, POW- With Brauns, 27 Scott St., Kitchen-
434-1583, Web: www.nypca.org er, Ontario N2H 2P8, CANADA,
Cycling Association, P.O. Box WOW Bicycle Tours, 3533 W.
/canaltour 400 miles. July 8-15. 519-586-TOUR, Fax: 586-7739,
8308, Missoula, MT, 59807. 800- Lapham St., Milwaukee, WI 53215.
755-2453, Web: www.adventure 414-671-4560, Web: www.execpc. Web: www.touring.brauns.com.
NORTH DAKOTA: Cycle Around cycling.org Rider limit: 130; 266 com/~dennard/ Two tours: Fox Val- Rider limit: 500. June 23-30.
North Dakota in Sakakawea miles. June 2-8 and September 8-
Country, P.O. Box 459, Garrison, ley Powwow, Rider limit: 150; 380
15. ■ Lighthouse Tour, CAN AM
ND 58540. 800-799-4242, Web: miles. June 24-29. Bike Me Tour:
300 miles. August 12-17. Wheelers, 140 Emerson, Norway.
www.ndparks.com/Trails/candisc
.htm Rider limit: 500; 445 miles. VERMONT: Cycle Vermont, ME 04268, 207-743-9018, Web:
Adventure Cycling Association, www.canamwheelers.com Rider
August 4-11.
P.O. Box 8308, Missoula, MT,
WYOMING: Tour de Wyoming, limit: 200; 381 miles. July 13-20.
1116 Albin St., Laramie, WY
59807. 800-755-2453, Web:
OHIO: Across Ohio Bicycle www.adventurecycling.org. Rider
82072. 307-742-5840, Web: www.
■ Tour British Columbia, Tour
Adventure, Columbus Outdoor state.wy.us/governor/fitness_council
limit: 130; 389 miles. August 25- Rider limit: 150; 360 miles. July BC, 2025 Whyte Ave., Vancouver,
Pursuits, P.O. Box 14384, Colum- 31.
bus, Ohio 43214, 614-447-1006, 22-27. BC V6J 1B6, Canada, 1-877-606-
Web: www.outdoor-pursuits.org. 2453 or 604-737-0043, Web: www
Rider limit: 130; 375 miles. July VIRGINIA: Bike Virginia 2001, ■ Wyoming Cycling Celebration, .tour-bc.net. 450 miles. July 8-14.
21-28 Bicycling Education Association Cyclevents, P.O. Box 725, Hilo, HI
P.O. Box 203, Williamsburg, VA 96721-0725, 888-733-9615, Web:
■ Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure, 23187. 757-229-0507, Web: www.cyclevents.com. Rider limit:
Columbus Outdoor Pursuits, P.O. www.bikevirginia.org Rider limit: 250; 378 miles. August 19-24.
Box 14384, Columbus, OH 43214. 1500; 300 miles. June 22-27.
614-447-0971, Web: www.goba.
com Rider limit: 3000. June 16-23.
Adventure Cyclist • January/February 2001
down from the engine, and helped himself ‘There’s all these bicycles here! I ought to years ago ...
to some watermelon pickles — explaining take some peanuts out and try to sell them.’ With Cattail Creek Campground as
he saw it on the Tour’s web site — then It all sold. We knew we could do it, but Peanut Tour Central, I’ve been in the per-
scrambled back in and chugged on. then we really knew we could!” fect place for all the activities — the camp-
Inside the store, I sampled double- I picked out a “peanut lover’s side by fires and nightly entertainment, and the
dipped chocolate-covered peanuts and side basket—shells in one side, peanuts in catered meals — good opportunities for
talked to co-owner Lindsey Vincent, who the other” and accepted Lindsey’s mail mixing. During last night’s (very tasty) cat-
grew up on a peanut farm. Eleven years order catalog before moseying on. By now, fish fry I met a woman with her 6-week-old
ago, he said, he thought he could make a go my friends had departed, but that was OK. I twins in a baby carriage. Though she wasn’t
of it in gourmet foods, so he started roasting would catch up to somebody. Meanwhile, I riding, she had to bring the babies to show
peanuts in an electric fry pan. Back then, he pedaled past farm fields and thought about her friends. Now that’s a tour regular.
recalled, the store wasn’t open the day the all the friendly people I’d met, every one a Later, as the evening entertainment
tour came through. But his helper was story. The woman who rode cross-country broke up, someone noticed my Cycletours
“cooking peanuts in a fry pan here at the last year with a few friends, the gray-haired Holland T-shirt and introduced herself as
rest stop. He called me up and said, fellow who did Paris-Brest-Paris several Gail Sweet. We reminisced about biking-
Behind the Scenes of sandwiches. As I helped myself, the little daughters helped with registration, and
round sandwiches were going fast. daughter Randi was a fixture at headquar-
the Great Peanut Tour “I made 500 in advance,” she told me. ters when she wasn’t out operating her own
ong
l with the vision of organizer “I’ve got two people in there making more rest stop.
Robert C. Wrenn, The Great Peanut now.” Bobby’s wife Ann (he calls her “my
A Bicycle Tour apparently owes its
success to trying harder, a sense of
humor, and some 400 volunteers. At 69,
She looked pleased, if slightly harried, as bride”) helps answer the 800-number that
she headed back to the house with an empty
plate. Thinking of the shopping list she’d
reeled off for me, I was getting some notion
rings at their home, and she “does all the
computer work,” he says.
“We both stuff all the envelopes. If peo-
“Bobby” Wrenn is compact and athletic-
looking, with a full head of wavy gray hair of her effort: 80 pounds of broccoli, 80 ple complain about errors, I say, ‘We’re
and a knack for storytelling. pounds of grapes, 50 pounds of carrots ... gonna fire the help and get better workers!’”
Homegrown in the town of Emporia, There are lots of other volunteers, and I Of course, an event like this is a year-
Bobby has served Greensville County, Vir- can’t begin to do them all justice. Of course, round effort for an organizer. As soon as one
ginia, as elected Clerk of Courts for 32 there are sag wagon drivers, and folks who tour ends, Bobby signs his “talent” up for
years. But don’t label him a politician. (“I help serve food at the catered meals. I the next year. On Sunday morning, I met
call myself ‘a statesman,’” he volunteers.) talked to Ed, Robert Lyons,
Whatever you call him, he knows how to from who teaches
get things done, how to rally his volunteers, Raleigh, botany at
and how to please his constituency. North Car- North Carolina
At tour registration, Jim, a big man with olina, who State Universi-
a disarming grin, joked about his involve- helps make ty; he leads the
ment as a new recruit last year. several hun- wildflower
“Once you get on Bobby Wrenn’s volun- dred banana walks at The
splits, Great Peanut
PHOTO BY SUSAN WEAVER
teer list, the only way off is to die!”
As for Bobby, he’s quick to credit his assembly- Bicycle Tour.
helpers. For starters, he includes in the reg- line style, “This is the
istration packets a list of names and address- each year on only commit-
es of the rest stop hosts. It’s headed with a Saturday ment I make
suggestion that folks might want to send night. one year in
thank-you notes or Christmas cards to these “Work- advance,” he
people who turn The Peanut Tour into a ing on the told me.
A young connoisseur of cycling snacks.
moveable feast. Bobby is full of stories bananas, we When I
about them, too. He fills me in on Melinda have peelers and splitters. I’m a splitter,’’ he phone Bobby for some follow-up in late
Greene, the force behind The Famous said. He’s been doing it for five years. September, I’m not surprised to hear that
Cucumber Stop. And there are the arrow painters. he’s already read riders’ evaluation forms
“Before we even asked her, she set up “We want to have the best-marked routes and decided on some changes for next year.
her own stop. She was giving out water and in America,” says Bobby, reminding me that “We’re gonna go back to T-shirts instead
pears off her tree,” says Bobby. for every turn three arrows are painted on of windbreakers,” he says of the souvenir
The tour picks up the cost of groceries the road, including “a reassurance arrow” freebie that comes with registration.
for Melinda and other rest stop stalwarts after the turn. Even the appearance of the Based on the feedback, he has several
who serve homemade goodies, but the vol- arrows is a point of pride. other improvements in mind.
unteers spend days in preparation. One stop “We make our own stencils for the “And did I tell you I found an accordion-
on the Friday rides is a virtual smorgasbord, arrows,” he explains. ist to play at one of the meals next year?
thanks to Margaret Robinson, who’s hosted Bobby, himself a cyclist, spends each That should be fun. We never had an accor-
it about 14 years. The tables on her lawn day of the event overseeing Peanut Tour dion before!”
groan with veggie trays, peanut butter and Central, and his entire family pitches in. A
young boy handing out Planter’s peanut - S.W.
jelly sandwiches, party-size pineapple-
cheese balls and crackers, cookies, fruit, and packets at the gate Saturday morning turned
this year, for the first time, cucumber tea out to be Bobby’s grandson. Bobby’s grand-
Adventure Cyclist • January/February 2001
and-barging in tulip country. Then the talk had signed up for. But we had perfect con- threw peanuts at us!”
turned to Friday’s popular 81-miler along ditions for the 125-miler, with very little It was time now for that very ride, the
wooded roads to Lake Gaston, reportedly headwind, and low-traffic roads that would 13-mile signature event called The Peanut
The Peanut Tour’s prettiest ride. A few suit a pace line. Ride. Whatever I hadn’t yet learned about
years earlier Gail’s husband had ridden it. As for me, after The Famous Cucumber goober-growing in Virginia, rumor had it, I
Afterward Gail, who’s 64, asked him to Stop, I was riding and chatting with a was about to find out. Already I knew that
drive her up to see the lake. No, he told her, woman in a pink jersey. We came to wide- Virginia is the northernmost state to culti-
you get in shape and ride it next year. open country, cotton fields stretching on vate this crop, and that growers here pride
“The next year I got up and left at seven either side, where suddenly I saw a bit of themselves on the size of the “Virginia
in the morning and didn’t get back ‘till local color: It was the Virginia equivalent of type” peanut in comparison to “puny Geor-
seven at night. As I came in, my husband boar hunters I once saw while cycle-touring gia peanuts,” which, Virginians say, are
was ready to come look for me! The sag in France. Here and there, pickup trucks good for little else besides peanut butter.
wagon had passed me four times, but I was were parked along the shoulder, in the bed Virginia peanuts are the cocktail peanuts the
determined to do the Lake Gaston Ride and of each a dog crate or airlines put in those
I did. It was beautiful.” two. On the road, men miserly foil pack-
Then there was John Roth from North in jeans and baseball ets, and that you
Carolina, who has been coming to the Tour caps unleashed floppy- eat by the handful
since 1992. He seconded my hunch that eared hound dogs. Bay- at home.
September is ideal for cycling in the South. ing, the dogs bounded Six hundred
“Somehow, it’s always unseasonably into the cotton patch. I people jammed the
cool this week when I’m here. You get tem- slowed to a stop near a road on this, the
peratures dropping to the fifties at night”— man with a creased only mass-start
good sleeping bag weather—“and great for face, and a walkie- event of the four
cycling during the day.” talkie. days’ rides, and at
John had missed the tour a few years “What are they 3 o’clock we were
ago when Hurricane Fran came through, but after?” I asked. off! — at a slow
a couple from California, Dick and Lori “Fox in the cotton crawl. Kids up
Brant, had attended. We talked at dinner one patch.” ahead of us squirt-
night and Dick said he was amazed. He introduced him- ed each other with
“Even with their electricity out, even self as J.C. Long. water pistols. The
though a hurricane just came through, the Trying not to think energy of the
volunteers at the rest stops tried to make us of the fox’s end of the crowd helped take
comfortable. It’s the people that make this bargain, I asked if this the edge off my
ride special.” was a club. awareness that
Lori explained that they had relatives in “Sorta,” he said. some of this route
“We just like to come Snacking and socializing in front of the I’d cycled in previ-
the area and traveled every summer because Good Earth Peanut Company.
“right now it’s a hundred degrees back out on a Saturday and ous rides, and
home.” She also talked about “the friendly run our dogs. I love hearin’ the call of the much of it looked familiar. It’s rural, it’s
people ... dozens and dozens of homemade hounds.” green, it’s unspoiled — “lovely country,” as
cookies ... At one stop on the North Caroli- I arrived back in camp in time to find Bobby Wrenn calls it, but it has a certain
na metric, my favorite ride of all time, the my friends, and clean up before the group sameness. The downside, I suppose, of a
Galatia Baptist Church bakes up these cakes picture. Hundreds of people had already “cloverleaf” event with loop rides.
decorated with bikes and roads!” assembled on a grassy space beneath a cher- “I don’t think this tour is about the
As I pedaled along Saturday morning, I ry picker where Bobby Wrenn’s son waited scenery,” a rider said as we munched peanut
tried to imagine baking enough cakes to with his camera. Bobby was directing brittle and peanut fudge and apples at a rest
feed the 335 riders registered for the metric everyone into place and introducing nota- stop on a broad lawn — the one that hosted
century. In an even bigger stretch, I won- bles to the crowd, including one couple, the the Rankins’ wedding reception.
dered how much ambition I’d need to do Rankins, who met on The Great Peanut True, I think, as I ride on, digesting that
this day’s double metric, which 41 cyclists Bicycle Tour nine years ago and married thought and my umpteenth snack of the day.
during the Tour a year later. The Great Peanut Bicycle Tour is not about
Legendary, they’ve returned scenery. Right now it’s about an older man I
every year since, to celebrate see cycling with a prosthesis on the left
their anniversary. After the side. The man’s friend, when I have a
photo Brooke Rankin told me chance to ask discreetly, tells me he’s come
about the wedding. How invita- down from Boston to ride the tour with his
tions were sent out in all the buddy from Virginia, who lost his foot earli-
registration packets, how er this year in an accident.
Bobby had white bike shorts It’s about B.L. Flippen, the retired coun-
and jerseys made for both of ty “ag” agent, in the back of a pickup truck
them, and that he, a justice of with a microphone at the next rest stop.
the peace, performed the cere- He’s all wound up, telling cyclists spread
mony. Their reception was held out on the grass how peanuts grow under-
on the lawn at one of the rest ground, but not from the roots of the plant
stops on the Saturday afternoon as I’d thought. He brags on the superiority
With flat or gently rolling terrain, and almost no headwind, it was ride. of Virginia peanuts compared to “scee-
easy to make good time on the longer rides. As they departed, she said, rawneeee” Georgia peanuts. Flourishing a
“instead of rice, everyone
Adventure Cyclist • January/February 2001
jug of peanut oil, he touts it as the best thing
Size Does Matter Sharing the road with thousands of
other cyclists also means I have to keep an for frying up hushpuppies.
By Richard Drdul eye out for errant cyclists. I’ve had several And as I head back to camp at the end of
close calls on crowded tours. Cyclists have the 13-miler, it is about accomplishment.
hinking of doing a supported tour stopped dead in the middle of the road Coming toward me is Bob Ferguson in his
this year? If so, one thing you yellow jersey and with him, grandson
T should consider in selecting your
tour is the size of the group. I’ve rid-
den tours with as few as a dozen cyclists,
right in front of me, have swerved into me
to avoid an obstacle, and have tried to pass
me on the right, unannounced and at high
speed.
Adam, still turning the pedals. Bravo! I fig-
ure the two are heading out from camp to
put the finishing mileage on Adam’s centu-
and with as many as 2,300. In each case, On the other hand, the nice thing about ry, as there is no officially designated 100-
the size of the group had a big effect on riding with a lot of cyclists on the road is miler in these four days of riding. I can’t
how much I enjoyed the tour. that motorists notice you, and tend to treat wait to hear the details.
Supported tours come in three basic you with more respect. The same thing So I think I have a bead on what The
sizes — small, medium and large. Small applies to dogs — I guess they’re worn out Great Peanut Bicycle Tour is about. It’s
tours are those with groups of up to 30 or after the first 100 or so cyclists ride by! about friends, it’s about family, it’s about
40 cyclists. Medium tours are up to about Another difference between sizes of fun and food, it’s about sharing something
300 or 400 cyclists, and large tours can tours is the accommodations. Because of that we love ... down here in peanut country.
range from 1,000 to more than 10,000. their size, large tours usually have nowhere And I have one more day to enjoy it all
Large tours appeal to many people else to go but a cow pasture or a football before it’s time to head home. ●
because they offer so much. Most large field. Most times that’s been fine, but on
tours are well-run, with a high level of one tour we were camped in a horse pas- Regular contributor Susan Weaver wrote
mechanical and medical support, numerous ture. I spent ten minutes kicking dried about her tour of Newfoundland in the Novem-
sag wagons and radio-equipped patrol horse patties out of the way before I could ber/December 2000 issue.
vehicles, frequent rest stops, lunchtime set up my tent.
gear drops and well-marked routes. In In contrast, medium and small tours are
camp, there are usually hot showers, one or more likely to spend the night in state
two mobile bike shops, a massage tent, a campgrounds, manicured city parks and
beer garden, and nightly entertainment. private campgrounds. Small tours can even
With all of these amenities, it’s no won- offer accommodations at inns and motels.
der that many large tours have become Better accommodations come at a price, of
major events that sell out far in advance. I course. Small tours don’t have the advan-
appreciate the features of a large tour, but tage of economy of scale that larger tours
one of the things I’m also looking for in a
tour is companionship. My wife isn’t as
have, and consequently, they generally cost In a Nutshell
more. If a small tour operator wants to be
keen on touring as I am, and the few price-competitive, he has to cut corners. This year’s 23rd Annual Great Peanut
cyclists I know who enjoy touring aren’t I learned this when I rode a six-day Bicycle Tour (September 6-9, 2001)
always available. So I choose a supported small tour that was priced lower than tours convenes at Cattail Creek Campground
tour as a way of providing “instant” com- with other companies. I wondered how near Emporia, Virginia, in Greensville
panions. these guys managed to keep the cost down. County. Lightly trafficked, all routes are
In this regard, small tours are best. With My question was answered when they day-rides that start and finish at the
a small group, I can spend time with each served the first meal — no-name canned Campground, variously passing through
of my companions and really get to know spaghetti sauce on pasta. After two days of sections of Greensville, Sussex and
them. Even if I ride alone at times, every this kind of food, most of us were eating Brunswick counties in Virginia, and
night I’m with the same group of people, our meals at restaurants along the route — Northampton, Halifax and Warren coun-
sitting around talking or checking out the at our own expense. ties in North Carolina.
sights in Having tried all sizes of tours, I’ve Cattail Creek Campground (with RV
town. decided that small tours suit me best. I pre- and tent sites) is an easy three miles
I’ve made fer the companionship of a small tour, and west of I-95 from the Skippers (VA)
more as I get older, I find that the quality of the exit. Reserve a site as early as possible;
friends on accommodations and the more personal tour regulars often put dibs on next
small service are increasingly important. year’s site before leaving the tour.
tours than Of course, everyone’s different, and Motels listed in the tour brochure are
on all the three to 15 miles away from the camp-
PHOTO BY SUSAN WEAVER
what suits me might not suit you. If you’re
medium looking for a “full-featured” experience, ground.
and large consider a large tour, particularly if you’re Advance registration for the tour
tours I’ve with a group of friends. Also, consider a ($50 per person) is required; it does not
done. medium-size tour, which can offer the include camping/lodging, and optional
On value of a large tour, but retains some of meal tickets are extra. For an application
Making friends with the store cat at the large form and information, contact The
Watermelon Pickle Stop. the intimacy of a small tour. Just be sure to
tours, think about what you want in a supported Emporia Bicycle Club, Inc., c/o Robert
although I’m surrounded by thousands of tour, and pick the size that’s right for you. C. Wrenn; P.O. Box 668; Emporia, VA
other cyclists, when I encounter another And then enjoy the ride! 23847. Or phone 1-800-449-2453 (no
cyclist on the road or in camp, it’s usually calls after 9 p.m., please) or visit the
someone new rather than someone I’ve web site, www.3rddoor.com/gpt/html.
met before. As a result, conversations are -S.W.
usually limited to chit-chat.
Adventure Cyclist • January/February 2001