Our First Official Tater

We have our first official potato today! Decapotato tells us he’s successfully starting his week – yep, by finishing off his 100 miles. He is our first official potato with 103.46 miles and a new magnet. Backpack Potato, Surfin’ Spud, and Chip-n-Dale are all less than 30 miles away!!

Potato Happenings

Chip-n-Dale rode from Union Square to the Golden Gate Bridge this morning. Then rode Windy Hill to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. (* All of my rides have been virtual. I wish I was riding on the West Coast right now.). Toni the Spud was out on a group ride and the fearless ride leader, You be Yamen, thought provided a botany lessons at every stop….this allowed the slower group to catch up.

CycoTater captured it best for those who have been outside recently. A direct quote “Ahhhhhh, blessedly cool ride today…..”

Yam Kronen battled wind, hills, 5 deer 1 dog and a squirrel but in the end, Got er done! Potato Prez reports that after Yes Ma’am Yam told him that she got stung by a bee yesterday, he was stung on the lip today! Captain Spud is back on the trainer for the first day of his Zwift Tour.

Keep an eye on Duchess Potato and Madam Tuber – we’re the only ones who have made EVERY edition of Le Tour. Will we finish this year? Bubba Spud dropped out last year and now I have to out-last my sister!

Administrivia

Keep pedaling as we try for that 30,000 mile marker. We are currently at 2760.76 miles with 105 potatoes pedaling. That leaves only 97 potatoes on the couch (there’s now a song in my head about bottles of beer).

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

Day 2 and Almost 2000 Miles

Day 2 is done for most of us and the potatoes are showing up! The heat is trying to win but potatoes are finding their way around it – stationary bikes to the rescue!

Potato Happenings

Staying in, out of the heat, Spudly took a cue from Yogatato and rode the Peloton in air conditioned splendor. Sewin’ Spuds also found it too hot outside and rode the stationary bike in the AC! 🙂 Spud Cool stayed cool: what do you do when you fly home late the day before? Ride of course! (Indoors for safety). Fat Tire Tater was on the stationary bike – too hot outdoors. And finally, Potato Prez was Zwifting again.

Our brave potatoes that are now “cooked” spuds include Simmering Spud who was outside and interrupted by rain! But a nice drizzly dawn patrol before the steady rain arrived. Chip-n-Dale took a little jaunt through Big Basin Redwoods State Park and a sunset ride from Devil’s Slide along the Pacific Coast Highway to Miramar. CycoTater Another steamy 15 with the hubs. CFNo Spud tried his best to hang on to the wheel of Tri Spud (looks like she ended up with more miles though). Nashed Potato took a friend along to ride!

As I type this we have 89 potatoes off the couch already. I’m still working on Potato Names for some of you – but have no fear, I’m almost done.

If you don’t happen to see your miles when you look at the sheet, I promise, they will get added. It can take a few hours for them to populate and there is a pause between the population and this post coming out. Don’t worry – they will get there. There are two of us and 200 of you 🙂

If you don’t see something by the next day, shoot us an email or comment on the blog and we’ll look into it. Next week we’ll start some shout outs so get to stomping on those pedals if you haven’t already!

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

And They’re Off

Le Tour de Couch Potato, edition 14 is off and running. We had a little glitch this morning with logging miles so if you had an issue, please retry – all is fixed. There are already a bunch of potatoes on the road – 24 pedaling so far – and enjoying the heat (or not as we’ll see below.

Potato Happenings

Salt Life Yam really perfected being a couch potato this year. Today she started peeling back my potato status towards my goal of returning to a skinny fry! This was the excuse she needed!

A lot of our potatoes were out early to beat the heat. Bandit Yam hit the Capital Trail bright and early and joined lots of people using the Trail this morning. Almighty Spud and Drunk Spud also started early and were able to catch the last bit of the race in France during a nice lunch stop. They are happily halfway after day one. Surfin Spud had a beautiful 5:45 am ride through the Francis Marion National Forest on the road. The run after turned into a walk as the heat got to me. Pickle juice to the rescue for cramping calves. Harley Taterson did an early morning ride along flat untraveled roads near Trappe, Maryland which was just gorgeous.
Also checking in while outside was Chip-n-Dale who did a ride from Fisherman’s Wharf, up and down Lombard Street, to the Bay Bridge. Also rode the Grizzly Peak in Berkeley. Spud Luda met the rubber tire bear and cub at Bollinger Park in Taneytown!

Reporting in from the cool stationary bikes are Yogatato who stayed cool by riding the P! and Potato Prez who is Zwifting in France while the boys are riding in Italy. Mythical Patata is off the couch with an indoor warm-up – the “real” miles start tomorrow with some fellow potatoes.

Haus of Spuds did not beat the heat but summed the weather up best with: “Hot. Damn hot. Do some crotch pot cooking hot.”

Administrivia

We’re stiving for a goal of 30,000 miles this year – 611.03 as of this report! We have 24 potatoes on the road, 202 still on the couch, and no mashed potatoes that have reported in.

I’m working on potato names so if you don’t have one yet, have no fear, I’m going out to dinner and may have a few drinks. I could get creative! HA

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

The Grand Depart is Today!

The day we’ve all been waiting for is finally here — Le Tour de Couch Potato starts today! It’s time to saddle up, pedal with passion, and embark on this exciting virtual ride. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or joining us for the first time, we’re thrilled to have you with us.

Today marks the beginning of our three-week journey. Make sure to hop on your bike and start logging those miles. Every pedal stroke counts, and we’re eager to see your progress.

Remember to report your miles daily so they can be included in our nightly report. This is a great way to keep track of your progress and stay motivated by seeing how you stack up against other participants.

Our nightly reports will be published each evening around 8:00 pm ET, or as soon as I can get to them. These updates will showcase everyone’s progress, highlight standout performances, and keep the community spirit alive. Don’t forget to check in and see how you’re doing!

The start line is behind us, and the road ahead is full of fun, challenges, and camaraderie. Let’s make this year’s Le Tour de Couch Potato the best one yet. Our goal is 30,000 miles total – here we come!

Results so far: Results

Report miles here: Report Miles

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

Our Grand Depart in Just 5 Days!

Hello, Couch Potatoes!

The excitement is building, and the countdown is almost over! Our Grand Depart is just 5 days away, and we can’t wait to kick off another amazing edition of Le Tour de Couch Potato. If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time to do it!

How to Register

It’s super easy! Head over to our website, fill out the registration form, and you’re all set. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this fantastic event.

Registration

Spread the Word

Encourage your friends and family to join us. Share the excitement on social media using the hashtag #LeTourdeCouchPotato and connect with other participants. Also, join us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ltdcp

Final Preparations

With just 5 days to go, it’s time to make sure your bike is ready, your gear is set, and your enthusiasm is at an all-time high. Let’s get ready to pedal our way through an unforgettable experience.

We will send info on logging your miles on Saturday once pedaling has begun.

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

Only Two Weeks Left to Register!

Hello, Couch Potatoes!

The countdown is on! With just two weeks left until the start of Le Tour de Couch Potato, now is the perfect time to secure your spot in this year’s virtual ride. Registration is open, and we’re already seeing an incredible turnout – over 170 participants! Don’t miss your chance to be part of this fantastic event!

Why You Should Register

  • Join a Global Community: Connect with fellow riders from different countries and share the excitement of cycling together, virtually.
  • Ride at Your Own Pace: Whether you’re aiming to beat personal records or just enjoy a leisurely ride, this event is for everyone.
  • Completely Free: Enjoy all the fun and camaraderie without any cost. It’s all about the joy of cycling and community spirit.
  • A Decade of Fun: We’ve been doing this for fourteen years, and each year we bring new energy and enthusiasm to the ride.

How to Register

Registration is simple and quick. Just visit the link below, fill out the registration form, and you’re in! Remember, the ride kicks off on June 29th, so don’t wait until the last minute. Get your spot now and start preparing for an amazing ride.

Invite your friends and family to join you. The more, the merrier! Let’s make this the biggest and best Le Tour de Couch Potato yet. Share your excitement on social media and use the hashtag #LeTourdeCouchPotato to connect with other participants.

Time is ticking, and the start of our virtual ride is just around the corner. Register today and get ready to pedal your way through an unforgettable experience.

I’m starting to work on Potato Names for our new potatoes so the earlier you register, the more creative I can be :D.

Registration

Rules

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

Registration is Open

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and all pedaling potatoes, gather ’round! It’s the time of year when we hop on our two-wheelers and set sail on the greatest cycling adventure ever. No, not the Tour de France. Please, that’s for over-caffeinated, spandex-clad professionals with more time than sense. We’re talking about our very own, infinitely superior, and unquestionably more enjoyable alternative: Le Tour de Couch Potato.

We’re replacing grueling hill climbs with leisurely jaunts to local breweries. Instead of breakneck sprints, we’ll be pausing for photo ops with local livestock. As the “pros” tour France, we’ll pedal around our neighborhoods, basements, trails, etc. to reach our 100 miles in 3 weeks. Don’t forget the most important part: have fun and don’t take the ride too seriously.

Dust off your helmets, pump up your tires, and join us for a cycling adventure unlike any other. Register now, fellow cycling potatoes, and we’ll see you at the starting line!

Registration

Rules

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

Registration Opens June 1!

Hello, Couch Potatoes!

It’s that time of year again—time to dust off your stationary bikes, stretch those legs, and get ready for the most exciting virtual cycling event of the summer! Registration for this year’s Le Tour de Couch Potato opens on June 1, only 5 days away. Keep an eye on out for either our blog post or the website for the registration link and secure your spot early. This is your chance to be part of a fantastic community, challenge yourself, and have a ton of fun along the way. Special note – for those who rode last year and did at least 50 miles, we have preregistered you!! Please check the registration link (on/after June 1) to confirm you’re listed – reach out to me or Duchess Potato with any questions.

Whether you’re a seasoned participant or a newbie looking to join in on the fun, we welcome you all to ride with us as we virtually pedal our way through 100 miles over the course of three exhilarating weeks. This event runs alongside the world-famous Le Tour de France, bringing together cycling enthusiasts from around the globe in a unique celebration of fitness and community.

Why Join Le Tour de Couch Potato?

  • Multi-National Fun: Cyclists from all over the world.
  • Perfect for All Levels: Whether you’re a novice or an experienced rider, this event is designed for everyone.
  • Flexible and Free: It’s completely free to join, and you can ride at your own pace and schedule.
  • A Decade of Dedication: We’ve been riding strong for over ten years, and each year gets better and better!

Get Ready to Ride!

Mark your calendars, set your reminders, and start gearing up for another fantastic edition of Le Tour de Couch Potato – pedaling starts on June 29. Spread the word to friends and family—let’s make this the biggest ride yet!

Rules

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

Countdown to 2024 Registration

Greetings, fellow couch potatoes – let the countdown begin for the 13th edition of Le Tour de Couch Potato. In less than a month, June 1st to be exact, we’ll open registration. Gather your family, friends, and your neighbors because this cycling experience is perfect for riders of all ages and abilities.

We’re here to ride 100 miles in 23 days, starting on June 29 and pedaling through July 21. Our event is for those who’d rather pedal to the nearest ice cream stand than tackle a daunting mountain pass. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just someone who knows how to pedal, come join us for some leisurely riding, with potatoes who prefer to take life one pedal stroke at a time.

Registration will open on June 1st and we can’t wait to get everyone signed up. Get ready, Couch Potatoes, for a ride to remember. We’ll see you there!

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

Eight Months until we Depart

Time flies when you’re having fun, and it seems like just yesterday we were nine months away from the spectacle that is Le Tour de Couch Potato. But lo and behold, we are now a mere eight months away from the grand depart on June 29, 2024! The excitement is palpable, and the anticipation is building.

As the leaves continue to fall and the air gets crisper, our couch-dwelling compatriots are starting to feel the pressure. The transition from summer slouching to fall floundering is well underway, and the reality of the upcoming challenge is starting to sink in. Will they rise to the occasion, or will they be left in the dust?

The countdown is on, and the training (or lack thereof) has begun in earnest. Our potatoes are allowing dust to gather on their bicycles, letting their tires go flat, and maybe even taking a leisurely ride around the TV channels. Because let’s not kid ourselves – this is Le Tour de Couch Potato, and the emphasis is firmly on the “couch” rather than the “tour.”

When June approaches, may you find the strength to peel yourselves off the sofa, the courage to face the open road, and the determination to make it to the finish line. Here’s to eight more months of eager anticipation, and, of course, plenty of couch time!