Madam Tuber is away and the potatoes will play. Y’all were tearing up the streets this weekend. Ten more potatoes made it official today, bringing us to a total of 31 who have their magnets. We also crossed over the 10,000 miles pedaled mark today. Pedal, taters, pedal. Making it “official” today are:

Irish Spud was out with Loch Ness Potato for a “hot, sticky 97% humidity ride to finish with 114.10 miles. Uetz Chips had Dre Tater (who is over 1/2 way) with him as he earned his magnet with 112.10 miles – there could have been some breakfast incentive as well. Spudarama earned what I believe is a first magnet with 109.40 miles. Tom Tater was out pedaling with Casey at the Bat Potato as they headed for the Baked Shop again to finish up his miles with 103.56 miles – she is also almost done (less than 10 to go). Also over the finish line is Commen-Tater with 101.70 miles. Oh-Kay-Tuber started her day with a “Woo hoo” and a new magnet at 101.20 miles. Getting in his last miles before a thunderstorm is Tuber Effect, checking in with 101.18 miles. Spudding Genius earned a magnet today with 101.00 miles as did Swan Song Spud with 100.75 miles. Bandit Yam checks in with 100.70 miles and the earliest he’s earned his magnet. Congratulations to this big group of spuds earning magnets today!

So much fun to see all these potatoes pedaling together. And all that pedaling with it being hot, stormy and way less than ideal conditions. Let’s check out those potato happenings and make sure we didn’t have any mashed potatoes!

Potato Happenings

Po-Kae-To had a great day riding with other Couch Potatoes, including Chilli Cheese Fries that also reported in, on the Capital Trail near Jamestown! Beautiful scenery, lots of folks around biking, running, walking & my biking partner & I chatted the whole 25 miles! Afterwards, we visited Billsburg Brewery & had lunch! So much fun! I hear there’s a picture coming to FB so we can see the whole group.

Kartoffel Kaiser did not even see the squirrel run out from under a shaded tree until it was milliseconds from having its tail amputated by her front tire. Whew! So glad to not have to special order the tiny instruments. (Seinfeld fans )

Potato Jam was pedaling while trying to beat the storms coming in from the West.

Touring Potato reports in as not starting with a big bang, bad legs…but there is always tomorrow. No DUD SPUD here!

MelaTater was out on a Gwynn’s Island ride with friends ending with beers at Hole In The Wall. Good times!

Mythical Patata rode with Potato Prez and Tater Excellency for some soggy (humid) miles but they were reported as “fun” and followed by beer!!

Potato Chip Rock survived two hours on the spin bike. It included a scenic ride along the coast of Norway (and surely a sore bum). Lots of fishing villages. That calls for fish tacos for dinner.

Tubular Tater summed it up for all of us “Ouch it’s hot”

Administrivia

With all of this pedaling, our potatoes have totaled 10,368.63 miles. Only 19,631.37 miles left to meet that “extra challenge” I threw out there.

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

And five more official potatoes. This is going to be a quick update (due to the out of town thing) but we can’t be remiss of our latest official potatoes.

Fat Tire Tater is over the line with 133.80 miles. Backpack Potato has another magnet with 128.00 miles. Fry Like an Eagle is done with 126.90 miles. Marshmallow Fluff Potato is finished with 101.10 miles. And Countess Tater is over the finish line with 101.00 miles. Congratulations to you all.

Potato Happenings

I know there was a lot going on today but we’ll catch up on all our potato happenings tomorrow.

AdministriviaWith all of this pedaling, our potatoes have totaled 9163.58 miles. Only 20,836.42 miles left to meet that “extra challenge” I threw out there.Results so far are here: Reported MilesReport miles here: Mileage EntryHappy Pedaling,Madam Tuber

Weeks that is – yep, we’ve got a week of this year’s tour in the books and we can count 17 of our potatoes as official. Four more made it over the threshold today. Green Eggs & Yam did not make it easy on himself to get those 129.78 miles. He had a mechanical failure today with a flat tire and air then the front brake died. Despite it all, he finished my ride and earned a magnet! Spud Cool chalked up a total of 111.40 miles for a magnet while Chip-N-Dale and his 105.41 miles is still trying to figure out what CycoTater got him into. Loch Ness reports “a beautiful ride to Windmill Point this morning turned me into an official Potato!!” with 100.27 miles.

With the weekend starting tomorrow, I know that number is going to jump significantly. LOTS of our potatoes are really close. And a lot of them also had happenings today.

Potato Happenings

Po-Kae-To rode the bike for the first time ever to the Y for a class and then back home. Liked it so much it looks like it’s going to happen again tomorrow. As she was on her way to the Y, Rain or Shine Tater was logging the miles in yet another very hot spin class! Yogatato was also spinning away but under a ceiling fan, in the AC (great way to beat the heat).

New Potato celebrated hitting 50 miles in LTdCP today with lunch at Buddy Lou’s right on the trail.

Irish Spud had an adventurous ride with not one but two flat tires (and a turtle) – did the turtle help with the flat tires? Yam Kronen’s bunny didn’t fare as well as the turtle – it was dinner for a couple dogs who decided to give chase in order to protect their kill. Also along for the ride were a deer and a crane – lots-o-wildlife.

Jan Jan Jan Spud, in the true spirit of a potato, headed out for a 20 mile ride. As she headed down to the Piankatank River, she found some good head space and was really feeling it. On the way back home, I realized I wasn’t ready to give it up. Had enough water and snacks to keep going and added another 10 miles to my ride and ended up at almost 30. Felt awesome and totally in the zone. Great ride.

Mythical Patata did not have any fun today. She ran into a bee, hit her lip and stung her – ouch!! Captain Spud is a tapering tater today as he gets ready for a tri on Sunday. Potato Chip Rock is finding it harder to ride on a work day than on a week end.

Spudly Sue rode 28 miles from Southern Shores to the Wright Brothers Memorial and back. Fun times with 8 friends and even saved a land turtle from being squished by a truck!

Tubular Tater listened to Mike Oldfield’s “TUBULAR Bells” for the ride in honor of his tater name. He had a blast and is headed to storage to get out his Telecaster. In his words “God help my family…”

As for my miles, we’re out of town and I’m stressing about not getting my miles in. When I said something to my husband he said “too bad you can’t count the miles on your broom.” Hahaha – he has to sleep sometime.

Administrivia

With all of this pedaling, our potatoes have totaled 7656.31 miles. Only 22,343.69 miles left to meet that “extra challenge” I threw out there.

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

A little late today but our potatoes are on point. Three more made it official today and a total of 130 are off the couch.

Three more potatoes made it official today. Almighty Spud and Drunk Spud both have one more magnet to add to their collection. They both crossed the finish line with 101.0 miles today. Just behind them, also over the 100 mile threshold today is Spud Luda with 100.31 miles. Congratulations to our newest potatoes who made it official today.

Potato Happenings

Chip-N-Dale and Rain or Shine Tater are both reporting in with spin miles. Chip-N-Dale was letting New Zealand kick his butt while Rain or Shine Tater did “nothing fun”.

Pouch Potato had a shortened and “not so great” ride that he blames on July 4th antics. But he was out there!

CycoTater, Yam Kronen and Potato Chip Rock were all out in the heat with Potato Chip Rock following up the ride with mowing and weeding – another triathlon??

And we’ll with a Happy Birthday to MelaTater who reports in 6 miles to celebrate the 66th.

Administrivia

Please remember to enter your miles using the email address you registered with. If you use a different email address, you will not get credit for those miles. And when you wonder where they are, we have to play search and rescue!

All of these potatoes, and more, have brought our total miles to 5366.53. Only 24,633.47 left to meet that “extra challenge” I threw out there.

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

Day 4 on July 4th. Today’s update is a little early since I need to go pop off for a bit with some shenanigans. We have five potatoes who made it over the finish line today and earned their magnets. Sinful Spud checks in with 110.3 miles. Mythical Patata was joined by Spud Cool and a non-potato (next year?) to finish with 105.47 miles. Dicktater is done with 102.25 miles, Swisher Sweet Potato is also over the line with 101.69 miles and Potato Chip Rock has a new magnet with 101.2 miles. Congratulations to all newest official potatoes.

We also have several shout outs from our potatoes, wishing all of you a Happy 4th and Happy Birthday to America. Wishes are coming from Pommes Soufflees, Chip-N-Dale, Harley Taterson, Captain Spud, and Baked Potato.

Potato Happenings

Dre Tater is now off the couch and 1/4 the way through. She is one of 119 potatoes who are now off the couch. CycoTater was out early enough to beat the heat and back early enough to enjoy a mimosa. Lenko Latkes enjoyed a little of Le Tour de France on a stationery bike riding the Col de la Columbiere. Also indoors was Hashed Healy – escaping the heat.

Disorderly Tater escaped the hills today, but not the heat. The Baltimore Annapolis trail did have shade so that helped some. Christmas Potato was fast on the pedals and narrowly escaped a suicidal chipmunk.

La Nuova Patata had one of her best rides ever with Cajun Gator Tater Tot (her grandbaby) out on her brand new bike – Tot, that is. Swisher Sweet Potato was out with the “Biker Chicks of Crawford County” (Illinois) – several potatoes in the group so I’m sure much fun was had by all.

Haus of Spuds is sharing a physics lesson with us all – or anyone who braved the mountains on a bike. An Einstein-based exception in Relativity that makes a mile in the mountains about 35% longer than a mile at sea level (and flat). I LIKE it!

Tubular Tater reports in with coming around the turn for KDH I felt the wind freshen and the chain deslack on my upshift, I heard, nay I felt the thunder…I knew at .6 miles in it was not going to be just any day, it was going to be a three martini nite!

While Tubular Taters was a great update, we had one that was definitely shitty – and I mean that literally. Artful Tuber got pooped on by a bird (her leg, thankfully). Since it was only a mile into her ride, she went back home and cleaned it off and went back out. I think she needs those martinis as well – or some

Administrivia

Please remember to enter your miles using the email address you registered with. If you use a different email address, you will not get credit for those miles. And when you wonder where they are, we have to play search and rescue!

All of these potatoes, and more, have brought our total miles to 4132.52. Only 25,867.48 left to meet that “extra challenge” I threw out there.

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

Day 3 was another hot one for our potatoes and we see another potato over the finish line. Hawaiian Potato flew past the 100 mile mark with 136.35 miles – another magnet for him!

We have a total of 108 potatoes on the road and a lot of them are rookies. Have no fear about getting in ‘short’ rides – as long as they add up to 100 miles by July 23rd, you’ll become official.

Sixty two taters are still on the couch – waiting to pop-off tomorrow on the holiday? We’ll see!

Potato Happenings

Salt Life Yam used her ride today to experience a little “grade-school” trauma while returning an almost overdue library book – good thing she got it turned in on time.

Also braving the heat were Wolfpack Potato and Seafaring Spud – out enjoying the Washington and Old Dominion trail and enjoying being over half way to that 100 miles.

Potato Prez was on a BWI Loop to the Coffee Shop. Senator Spud found thunder but thankfully no storms. Harley Taterson hit the trails at Wakefield Valley.

CycoTater was out where the wild things are. Playing with the pigs – on her steamy ride, she was racing a loose baby pig. The things our potatoes find while getting to 100.

Rain or Shine Tater and I created our own triathlon and biathlon, respectively. He did the “run, bike, mow the lawn” while I did the “bike, mow the lawn”. Racing Spud was also out there but with a flat tire – hopefully with help getting it changed.

Enjoying the virtual world while spinning today was Chip-N-Dale – virtual Grosse Scheidegg added Switzerland to the bucket list. Potato Chip Rock found a fan for his indoor ride.

Administrivia

Please remember to enter your miles using the email address you registered with. If you use a different email address, you will not get credit for those miles. And when you wonder where they are, we have to play search and rescue!

All of these potatoes, and more, have brought our total miles to 2875.65. Only 27,124.35 left to meet that “extra challenge” I threw out there.

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

Day 2 and we already have our first official potato – Tri Potato has crossed the 100 mile threshold with 100.5 miles – congrats (she gave herself a “YAY” too)!! Mythical Patata isn’t far behind with 86.5 miles so I’m sure we’ll congratulate her tomorrow or Tuesday.

These are only 2 of our 82 potatoes already on the road and making their way to a new magnet.

Potato Happenings

Chip-N-Dale is trying to figure out what CycoTater got him into – don’t worry, it’s only 100 HOT miles. CycoTater reports in that “Ranch Water” is a fabulous tequila cocktail. I’ll go find one for a little shenanigans.

Last of the Potatoes was double dipping – potato miles while riding with a challenge group that follows Jim Feeney around the perimeter of the US on a fundraiser.

The weather (and smoke) and not our friends so far on Le Tour. Heat and humidity followed Fat Tire Tater to Panera for breakfast. Tot Louie finally braved the smoke – it was out ‘enough’ for him to get some pedaling in.

MelaTater is used to Mathews county (FLAT) but has been in the mountains the last couple of days – feeling it in the mileage (and I’m sure in the bum, too). We’ll send her to visit Rocky Potato and he can tell her all about the mountains.

Tom Tater is back at Joey Bag of Donuts again for a bagel breakfast because the Baked Shop was closed. I’m going to SC to ride since breakfast is the priority.

Captain Spud was pedaling today – he logged his miles as part of a brick workout. Spudzilla pedaled to visit Fort Monroe.

Administrivia

All of these potatoes, and more, have brought our total miles to 1,670.04. Only 28,329.96 left to meet that “extra challenge” I threw out there.

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

Day 1 of the 13th edition of Le Tour de Couch Potato has started and we have 44 potatoes on the road. Tri Potato is leading the way (and over half way) searching for that magnet. The boys in France have already reported in with at least one Mashed Potato but we haven’t had any of that (so far).

Today’s blog image is our first look at the 2023 Le Tour magnet. Once you cross the 100 mile mark, Duchess Potato will email you with ordering instructions!

Potato Happenings:

Tri Potato “tried” to make the whole Capital Trail today but the heat won out. That always seems to get us with our July ride – but we persevere.

Pork Belly burnt ends, “Ranch Waters” – I think this is a beverage, and Fried Chicken were all on the pre-ride menu for Chip-N-Dale, CycoTater and Tubular Tater. Eatin’ good before pedaling. May have slowed them down but not too much – Tubular Tater sill enjoyed a martini after the ride.

Also on the menu were Joey Bag of Donuts – Tom Tater arrived just as they open to get the really fresh ones.

Potato Prez beat the heat by spinning and watching the “other” Le Tour as they travel through Spain. It looks like Billy Spud and Harley Taterson were also spinning away the day.

Touring Tater was one of a few rookies who made her first every Couch Potato ride today – with 3.1 miles in, she’s off the couch!

Administrivia:

All in, we’re at 748.55 miles – 29251.45 to go to meet our “extra-challenge” goal.

Results so far are here: Reported Miles

Report miles here: Mileage Entry

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber

That’s right – the time has arrived for the 2023 edition of Le Tour de Couch Potato to begin. We’ll start pedaling at midnight tonight which means registration will close at the same time. If you haven’t signed up yet, what are you waiting for?

As of now, we have 161 potatoes who have signed up – let’s hope all of them finish. We’re looking for no mashed potatoes and no DUD SPUDS.

A Little Extra Challenge – Duchess Potato has added a graphic to our home page with the annual mile pedaled in Le Tour. I’ll throw out a challenge to our potatoes to try and reach a collective 30,000 miles this year. We’ve never gone that far but I bet we can do it – who’s in?

Mile Tracking – Please remember to post your miles (yes miles, no kilometers please – junior high math was a long time ago for me) daily or almost daily using the website mileage tracker. Everyone should have received an email from me (letourdecouchpotato@gmail.com) with the password to log miles. If you didn’t, please reach out and I’ll resend – also check your spam folder. I did get 3 or 4 of them returned as undeliverable – if we don’t have your email address correct, you won’t get credit for your miles – bummer.

Potato Names – Yep, I’m working on potato names for our new potatoes. Work has kept me a little busy so I’m behind this year. Everyone will have a potato name before the end of the weekend, however. I will say, it’s getting more difficult as over the years, we have named 569 potatoes – starchy!

Final Reminder – Updates come out almost daily. The target is around 7:00 – 8:00 pm ET each evening. It does take some time to compile everything so if your miles are logged early evening, they may not show on the blog until the next day. No worries – you’ll be able to see them online as we pedal. If you don’t see them, you may not have used the correct email address – that’s on you 🙂

Get ready to pedal and have some fun. If you know anyone else who would enjoy this little slice of heaven in July, please get them to sign up too.

Happy Pedaling,

Madam Tuber