5th Annual All Gandy Ride

Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day. I prayed that it would and it did.
After watching the rainy weather forecast for Saturday September 19, 2026, for the previous 10
days, I thought that the Gandy Dancer Trail ride would have to be cancelled. Rain continued
through Friday and into the night and early Saturday morning. But miracles do happen.
At seven AM Saturday, rain had ceased in Danbury and the rain farther south would soon stop.
For us bikers, the two to three tenths of rain we received created no problems, but the
surrounding community could have used more to offset the drought conditions.
YES! The ride was on as planned. No cancellation.
Andrea, Chuck K, Allen and Mike were dropped off by family and friends at Blueberry Junction
Park in Danbury to ride the fifty mile Gandy Dancer Trail to St Croix Falls.

With cloudy skies, a northeast wind on their backs, and temperatures ranging from 53 – 63
degrees, the weather was perfect for biking as the group departed at nine AM. The trail was
soft but not muddy from the recent rains. The softness created some rolling resistance with a
little dirt flinging but no dust. The group consisted of three e-bikes and one analog bike.
The riders pedaled at a steady pace with stops in most communities for a picture, water, and or
a snack with a goal of completing the fifty miles. There were very few other trail users.
The total ride time took six hours and fifteen minutes including rest stops, pictures, and lunch
at Cafe’ Wren in Luck. The average speed for the ride was ten and eight tenths’ miles per hour.
The total ride time was faster than average unlike the extreme seven and a half hour ride time

from the previous year. During this year’s ride, many jokes came up concerning the previous
year’s prolonged ride time.
With no flat tires, no mechanical problems, no cramps, and no injuries, the ride was fun and
experiencing. It evaluates everyone’s endurance but the comradery and scenery fill the ride
with enjoyment.
Andrea’s husband, John, was waiting at the St Croix Falls trail head when the group arrived at
three fifteen to give Andrea, Chuck, and Mike a ride back home.
Here is the funniest part of the day. - John had planned to attend a car show in Milltown to use
up some of his waiting time. When he got to Milltown, he spent time looking for the show and
could not find it. Andrea teased him that he had the wrong date. As they were loading the bikes
for their return, he brought out the flyer to show us that the show was today in Milltown. Yup
he was right. It was at the VFW hall. Four miles out of town. He missed the address on the
bottom of the flyer. Too bad John.
Respectfully yours,
Al Wampfler