On August 6-9, the Minnesota Randonneurs held the 3rd edition of our famous Coulee Challenge 1200k Grand Randonnee. We had 43 riders from Australia, Japan and 14 U.S. states join us for a four-day tour of the Driftless areas of SE Minnesota and Wisconsin, with overnight stops in Black River Falls, Reedsburg and Eau Claire.
We have done this event three times now, always on the year before a PBP year. We get a good number of first-time 1200k riders as well as other PBP aspirants that want a great ride to prepare for the course across western France in 2027. About 15 riders completed their first 1200k on the event this year. PBP is actually a little less hilly, so getting the Coulee done is a great motivation to continue on to France next year.
Very special thank-yous go out to our wonderful support team members Keith Morical, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Dan and Heather Diehn, Bob Booth and Melissa Hardin, Andy and Linda Williams, Jerry Christensen, Randy Carey, Mike Fox, Eric Peterson and Doug Carlson. This event could not have happened without you!
Be on the lookout for more photos and stories in the weeks ahead.
Photo by Randy Carey