Trailnet Champion – Dave Wedemeyer

Dave Wedemeyer has ridden RAGBRAI, (Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa), for 28 years.  He is a member of the Team Stiff Biking Club, (located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa), where he serves as Vice President. Dave has completed a century ride in 46 states so far, and has ridden 112 century rides in his lifetime. Keep reading for a Q&A between Trailnet and Dave.

Tell us more about yourself. 

I am originally from Adair, Iowa and have lived in St. Louis since 2000. I have been a Downtown St. Louis resident for 10 years, and I currently live in the Marquette Building.

What are your thoughts on our Vision for a network of protected bikeways?

It’s great to see organizations like Trailnet serving important purposes with lofty goals. St. Louis has everything it needs to engage and retain residents. I believe safe connectivity and more bike paths will only enhance our burgeoning city.

What do you do for work?

I work at Fontbonne University, as a Database Administrator.

At what age did you start biking? Why did you start biking?

In 1989 I was in graduate school at Iowa State University, and three fraternity brothers and I decided to ride RAGBRAI. So it all started with RAGBRAI, and I’ve been doing rides all over the place since then.  It’s been a great way to see the country.

What keeps you cycling? 

My goal is to do a century ride in every state.  After that goal is complete, (hopefully this year), I have plenty of other century rides on my bucket list.  I would like to complete 100 uniquely different century rides.  I have repeated some century rides many times, such as Trailnet’s Ride the Rivers Century.  So although I have ridden 112 century rides, they’re aren’t 100 different rides yet.

What are some memorable biking cities, trails, or places you’ve experienced?

The rides with the best scenery are the most memorable. To name a few, I loved America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Nevada. The scenery was spectacular and I was lucky enough to see a bear along the route. The Triple Bypass in Colorado was the toughest ride I’ve ever done. RAGBRAI is the most fun you can have on a bike. The longest ride I’ve ever done was the Ride Across Indiana, (160 miles in one day).  I rode the Big Mick Century in South Dakota a few years ago.  The Mickelson Trail thru the Black Hills is beautiful.

How did you discover Trailnet?

Some biking friends told me about Trailnet. Trailnet is very well known within the St. Louis biking sub-culture.  I rode in the very first Ride the Rivers Century, and then started doing other Trailnet rides. I use Trailnet fun rides, as a way to stay in shape for my century rides.