COWs History
Exploring Wisconsin on Tandems for 35 Years
Couples on Wheels is celebrating 35 years of tandeming together in 2023. The first COWs rally was held in the spring of 1988 and hosted by Paul and Flo Walker. The event took place in Wautoma, Wisconsin on May 21-22 with 40 riders participating. This organized ride gives Paul and Flo the honor of being named co-founders of Couples on Wheels.
A spring rally was held every year following and has been hosted in many cities across Wisconsin (see below for a list of previous rally locations).
In 1986 the club hosted their first Midwest Tandem Rally as an organization. The rally was held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Since then, the club has hosted MTR events in Waukesha–1991, Appleton–1996, Appleton–2007, Middleton–2012, and Racine–2021. Wrangler Rides were introduced in 2010 by John and Joan Laabs.
Spring Rally Locations by Year
1989
Madison
1990
Shawano
1991
Fish Creek
1992
Appleton
1993
Port Washington
1994
Mt. Horeb
1995
La Crosse
1996
Sturgeon Bay
1997
Appleton
1998
Waupaca
1999
Wausau
2000
Sparta
2001
Fort Atkinson
2002
Rhinelander
2003
Port Washington
2004
Holcolm
2005
Waupaca
2006
Wausau
2007
Appleton
2008
Rowley’s Bay
2009
Delafield
2010
Madison
2011
Chippewa Falls
2012
Port Washington
2013
Lake Geneva
2014
Plover / Stevens Point
2015
Appleton / Kimberley
2016
Marshfield
2017
Waupaca
2018
Racine
2019
Lake Geneva
2021
Wausau
2022
Rhinelander
2023
Madison
Have questions about COWs or about membership options? Contact us using the form below, and we’ll be happy to help!
