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

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

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!

Mark your calendars, spuds and spudettes! In just nine more months, the event of the year, Le Tour de Couch Potato, will begin! We know, the anticipation is practically unbearable – almost as unbearable as peeling oneself off the couch after a winter-long Netflix marathon.

As the leaves turn and the air gets that crisp autumn bite, our couch-dwelling compatriots will be trading in their cycling workouts for Halloween candy and football games. Yes, you heard it right! The transition from summer slouching to fall floundering will be a sight to behold. Will we triumph with our indoor trainers, or will the call of the couch prove too strong? It’s anyone’s guess!

Le Tour de Couch Potato is not just any cycling event; it’s a celebration of the indomitable spirit of the true potato. We can’t wait until June rolls around so we can wobble, teeter, and possibly topple, all in the name of glory! The road may be long and winding, but the allure of the finish line (and the magnet waiting at the end) is irresistible.

As we count down the months, the excitement is palpable – or is that just the static from our well-worn cushions? Either way, the anticipation is building, and the training (or lack thereof) has begun! Are you ready to conquer the 100 miles, or will you be mashed into a DUD Spud? Only time will tell!

Grab your coziest blankets and your spiciest lattes, and join us in the countdown to Le Tour de Couch Potato. It’s going to be a ride to remember – or, at the very least, a ride to laugh about! Whether you fall in love with cycling or just fall over, it’s bound to be entertaining. Here’s to nine more months of eager anticipation!

Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale,
A taterific ride without a fail,
That started from a cozy spud abode,
Aboard Le Tour de Couch Potato.

Le Tour de Couch Potato,
The ride of potatoes brave and bold,
With 177 signed up for the show,
On a 23-day journey to and fro.

The weather was rough; the road was tough,
But our spuds were made of sterner stuff,
With pedals and helmets, they rode with glee,
For miles of adventure on land and sea.

143 potatoes finished with pride,
Earning magnets to show far and wide,
But 33 DUD SPUDS couldn’t make it through,
We salute them too for the effort they drew.

Over 25,000 miles we rode,
With smiles, laughter, and stories bestowed,
Each day brought new challenges to explore,
Together we conquered, and our spirits soared.

To all our spudly participants, we extend,
A heartfelt thanks, you’re a true friend,
Join us again, starting June 29, 2024,
For more cycling adventures and fun galore.

So, thank you all for making memories grand,
Pedaling together, hand in hand,
Until next year, let’s stay in touch,
Le Tour de Couch Potato thanks you so much!

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber (Denise) & Duchess Potato (Christine)

Congratulations goes out to those who finished since our last update.

Dre’ Tater crossed the finish line but almost forgot to log her miles. She’s in with 110.00 miles. Also over the line for another magnet is Hurray Potato with 109.31 miles – his fridge has got to be filling up. And with a huge push of miles the last few days for magnet number 12 is Home Fries, in with 101.00 miles.

That brings our total official taters to 143 and our total miles to 25,446.74 for this year’s Couch Potato. We ended up with 33 DUD SPUDS.

Our final report out will be published Wednesday, July 26th. Thanks for joining us this year. The 2024 edition of Le Tour de Couch Potato will kick off June 29, 2024 – hope to see you then.

Administrivia

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

Thanks to Loch Ness Potato for our image today of several potatoes on their last ride of this year’s tour!

The boys in France are done and the awards have been given. But don’t worry if you’re not done. We have until midnight ET tonight to pedal. We did have 8 more potatoes make it official so far today.

I believe I can Fry and Hashed Healy crossed the finish line together, each with 104.40 miles. Potato Cake was not too far behind for her magnet with 103.10 miles.

DrewTuber will NOT get harassed for the next year at work. He stomped on those pedals a lot over the last few days to finish with 101.10 miles. Only a tenth o fa mile behind him was Sweet Kinder Spud 101.00 miles, earning herself another magnet.

Rocky Potato had a hard fought, mountainous 100.80 miles to earn his new magnet.

Pirouette Potato (100.38 miles) and Spuddy Holly (100.29 miles) cracked the finish line by less than a mile – but done is done!

Congratulations to our latest finishers.

That brings our total official taters to 140 with only a few hours left to pedal. Please remember all miles MUST be entered by 5:00 PM ET tomorrow so we can wrap everything up. We will have a blog post Monday evening and the Tour wrap up coming out on Wednesday, July 26th. We will work to get the Hall of Fame updated by Wednesday as well. If you haven’t seen it – check it out here –> H.O.F.

We’re sitting at 25,056.48 total miles for this year’s Couch Potato.

Potato Happenings

Still pedaling and under 20 miles to go. You still have a few hours to get it done:

Fry Fry Baby – 3.70 miles left

Hurray Potato – 4.11 miles to go

Bubba Spud – 5.00 miles remaining

Spudzilla – 8.17 miles to pedal

Home Fries – 15.00 miles for a magnet

Dre’ Tater – 17 miles to finish

On the Captain Spud / Laura Latkes challenge – reports indicate the challenge was for Laura Latkes to get to 165.0 miles She has risen to his challenge (165 miles) with a torn meniscus so had to spin all of it – at least she was able to watch TV while doing it!

Potato Jam pedaled over 2 Frederick Bridges on her way to Subway for lunch while Tom Tater finished with a trip to Joey Bag of Donuts! Spudly Beach Bum was in on the groceries as well with croissants and coffee.

Several potatoes made their own personal goals this year as well. We mentioned Touring Tater getting to her goal of 45 miles yesterday. Disorderly Tater met her personal goal as well – more miles than last year.

We are definitely going to have some DUD SPUDS this year. We’ll have to wait for tomorrow’s report to find out how many.

Administrivia

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for playing our game with us this year. We do it for fun each year – and hope you have fun as well. We do see your notes thanking us for putting this together and you’re very welcome! Please come and join us again next year. Remember to follow our blog – that’s how we notify you of registration, etc. Tell your friends so we can continue to grow.

One special note from me, I often type “we”, “us”, etc. My sister (Duchess Potato) is in the background doing the majority of the leg work to compile miles, comments, etc. each day. Her husband does the artwork for the magnets each year as well. While it’s my (potato) name you see on the blog post, I couldn’t do this without her – thanks, Chris!

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

The tours end is getting ever closer. Pedaling ends tomorrow night at midnight so only one day left. We still have time to cross the finish line so stomp on those pedals while you can. The 12 spuds who made it official today are:

Bud Spud not only finished with 119.34 miles but in true “BUD Spud” fashion, helped Microchip across the finish line as well. Kartoffel Kaiser sends out a big thank you to all who make this happen as she wraps up this year’s tour with 112.00 miles.

Harley Taterson finished with 108.50 miles on a virtual trip around Paris this morning – then ordered his magnet! Truckin’ Tuber has also earned a magnet with 108.45 miles.

Hot Potato now has more decorations for the refrigerator with 103.00 miles pedaled. Lenko Latkes was a couple pedal strokes behind but also over the line with 102.80 miles.

Microchip not only got her 102.60 miles but a chocolate-almond croissant at the finish line as well (nice reward). Fry-cycle got in 102.00 miles in this year’s tour to earn her magnet.

Tuberski has another magnet after she pedaled 101.20 miles while Spuddles checks in with an “I DID IT” after a couple rides to get over the finish line at 101.00 miles.

Maraschino Potato’s 101.00 miles will earn her a new magnet to decorate her fridge and Pommes Souffles hit the finish line at exactly 100.00 miles to become official as well.

That brings our total official tubers to 132 and with all of this pedaling we have accumulated 23,986.92 miles.

Potato Happenings

Captain Spud threw out the challenge yesterday to Laura Latkes but there was no change in miles for either one. Still at 164.40 miles for the Captain and 140.00 miles for Ms. Latkes. Let’s see how this goes. I’ll keep an “eye” on it!

Surfin’ Spud is enjoying a 50K at sea level – much easier than a 50K in the mountains.

Pump up the Yam, Bandit Yam and Buck-a-Spud were out for a nice morning ride today, adding to their miles. Potato Chip Rock is going to try to get some more miles in tomorrow if they legs don’t rebel – but he had a fun tour as well.

Here’s who we’re watching as we wrap up the year. We have lots of stomping on the pedals happening as those potatoes work to make it before the cut off. ___ are still pedaling and working to cross the finish line. I know we’ll have our DUD SPUDS who abandon – don’t be one of those.

In the 90s – You’ve come this far and with less than a 10 mile ride you’ll be finished. Can’t start next week with regrets. YOU got this. Fry Fry Baby, Hurray Potato, Pirouette Potato, Spudzilla, DrewTuber, Spuddy Holly, I believe I can Fry, Hashed Healy.

In the 80s – Less than 20 miles to go and another day to ride. You have until midnight so split it up if you have to. You’ll hate yourself in the morning if you don’t finish. Sweet Kinder Spud, Home Fries, Rocky Potato, Dre’ Tater, Potato Cake, Bubba Spud.

Those in the 70s – Yamazing could be AMAZING with just 25.80 more miles and a magnet. Don’t abandon at this point.

Our 60s potatoes – This is our group of tired bums by the end of the day Sunday but they can get there with it broken up throughout the day. Sewin’ Spuds, Verdant Potato, .

Hanging in the 40s is Touring Tater who started her tour wanting to finish 45 miles since she was born in 1945. Nicely done, by DUD SPUD. Let’s go for 50 next year – way to rock it out! Joining her in the 40s is CycloSpud – just over the 40 mile mark and still pedaling for as many miles as possible – way to hang in there.

Our last few taters here got their tour started but haven’t logged any miles in a while. Maybe they’ll surprise us and not be DUD SPUDS. Spud Lover, Zappa Patata, Star Crossed Spud, Helmer Spud, Fry on the Wall, Pedaler McPotato, Spudly Beach Bum, Lotze Latke, Manntater, Tony Starch.15 DUD SPUDS who never got off the couch!!

Administrivia

As we approach the end of this year’s tour, please remember that pedaling is done on midnight ET, July 23rd. We do have all day tomorrow to pedal. ALL miles must be entered by 5:00 PM ET on July 24th. We have our final blog post Monday evening with the Tour wrap up coming out on Wednesday, July 26th.

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

We can see the end of our tour looming in the distance. That time when we no longer get to log our miles and see how our friends are doing. But, fear not – there are still two days to pedal.

This is our biggest day yet as we gained 15 more official potatoes.

Jungle Spud made it official with 149.20 miles, earning himself a magnet.

La Nuova Patata and New Potato rode the W&OD to finish at their traditional spot – Magnolia’s at the Mill for lunch. They both finished up and will continue to decorate their fridge – 115.80 miles and 114.30 miles for them.

Also over the line very close together are Potato Sticks (110.60 miles), Artful Tuber (109.80 miles) and Frappin’ Spud (109.27 miles).

The Potato Monologues has pedaled her way to a magnet with 107.96 miles. Racing Spud also crossed the century mark today with 106.00 miles while Irri-tater was close behind after a “super sweaty spin session” with 104.95 miles.

Rain or Shine Tater did enough of those spin classes to earn a magnet – 102.80 miles. Gator Bait Tater and Fitz and the Tater Tantrums are also over the finish line, right on each other heels, with 101.79 miles and 101.56 miles each.

Spidey Spud caught up to me to earn a magnet with 101.10 miles and just making it over the line is Spud Ice with 100.31 miles.

Darth Tater managed to escape a year of ridicule from me at work by pedaling 100.00 miles for his magnet.

Potato Happenings

Captain Spud is throwing out a challenge to Laura Latkes – they are sitting at 164.40 miles for the Captain and 140.00 miles for Ms. Latkes. Let’s see how this goes. I’ll keep an “eye” on it!

Still watching our tubers that are working to finish as we wrap up the year. So many, so close! LOTS of movement since yesterday – I see several of these spuds wrapping it up with a magnet.

In the 90s, with less than 10 miles to go – These 8 potatoes are SOOO close and can get there with less than 5 miles each day. YOU got this. Hot Potato, Harley Taterson (with his Wakefield Valley 10 miler) , Fry Fry Baby, Kartoffel Kaiser, Spuddles, Pirouette Potato, Spudzilla, I believe I can Fry.

In the 80s – 11 of our potatoes have come this far. Less than 20 miles to go and two full days of pedaling. Sweet Kinder Spud, Tuberski, Rocky Potato, Hurray Potato, Dre’ Tater, Bud Spud, Potato Cake, Hashed Healy, Spuddy Holly, Bubba Spud, Maraschino Potato.

Those in the 70s – Small but distinguished group of 3 potatoes that with less than 15 miles a day will be over the finish line. Pommes Souffles, Yamazing, Fry-cycle.

Our 60s potatoes – This is our group of tired bums by the end of the day Sunday but they can get there with two 20 mile rides. Truckin’ Tuber, Sewin’ Spuds, Verdant Potato, Microchip, DrewTuber, Lenko Latkes.

Over half way and we really want to see her get magnet number 12. She’ll need to push it but can still get there. Home Fries.

Hanging in the 40s is Touring Tater. Two 30 mile rides and we’ve got a magnet.

In the 30 mile range – This group is going to need some seriously long rides to get there so let’s help them along as we can. Spud Lover, CycloSpud, Zappa Patata.

Down in the 20s – We’re looking at just under 80 miles to go so going to take a lot of pedaling for Star Crossed Spud and Helmer Spud.

In the 10s – A larger group here that got off the couch so we want them to finish. Fry on the Wall, Pedaler McPotato, Spudly Beach Bum, Lotze Latke, Manntater.

Less than 10 miles – Five miles in and 95 miles to go. Can Tony Starch finish it up? Join him for a couple really long rides.

Still 15 DUD SPUDS out there – don’t join them!!

Administrivia

As we approach the end of this year’s tour, please remember that pedaling is done on midnight ET, July 23rd. We do have all day Sunday to pedal. ALL miles must be entered by 5:00 PM ET on July 24th. We have our final blog post Monday evening with the Tour wrap up coming out on Wednesday, July 26th.

With all of this pedaling, our potatoes have totaled 22,548.45 miles. Only 7,451.55 miles left to meet that “extra challenge” I threw out there. Two days left to pedal and I don’t think we have over 3,700 miles a day in us.

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber