World Record Tandem Bicycle Donated to Wisconsin Bike Museum

Thu June 24 2010
Posted Jun 25, 2010
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Lon Haldeman, who along with Pete Penseyres set a world record for crossing the US on a tandem back in 1987, has donated one of the two bicycles used in the record-setting ride to a Sparta (WI) museum. The two ultramarathon cycling legends crossed the US in 7 days, 14 hours, and 55 minutes — a record that still stands. The bicycle will become part of the permanent display at the Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bicycle Museum in downtown Sparta. Kay Bender, museum director, said that it will fit in well with the museum's exhibits that display the historic progression of transportation, from the earliest patented bicycles to space travel. She was also quoted as saying "We were so excited to be so honored that he chose this museum of all the museums in the country". link to the museum: http://www.valuworld.com/usa/wi/supermall/County/Monroe/sparta/deke_slayton_memorial_space_bike_museum/index.htm Sparta is also the home of the world-famous 32-mile "Elroy-Sparta Bicycle Trail", one of the nation's first rail-to-trail conversions. The trail runs through scenic farms and woodlands, but is probably best known for the three 130-year-old, hand-hewn tunnels the riders pass through on their journey.