Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hound Dog
A CONVERSATION BETWEEN JACQUE GENOVESE AND
SUSAN LARSON RODENBURG OF HOUND DOG CYCLING ADVENTURES
For 30 years, Susan and Rich Rodenburg successfully owned and operated Tour de Nebraska. In 2017, they sold their company and set out to create cycling adventures throughout Europe. Here’s their story as told by Susan.
Jacque: How did you get started in cycling?
Susan: In 1985, I met Rich, the owner of Bike Pedalers in Lincoln. I was there to purchase a racing bike so I could compete in triathlons. Turns out, I not only found the perfect bike, but also my future husband!
Early in our marriage, we became very active in the development of the Great Plains Trails Network. Rich and I were charter board members. Today Lincoln has one of the best trail networks in the country with 135 miles of trails.
Jacque: How did Tour de Nebraska come about?
Susan: In 1988, sitting around with several of our friends, we came up with the idea of starting a 5-day circle tour and named it Tour de Nebraska, in homage to Tour de France. During our 30 years operating Tour de Nebraska, it grew from 11 people to around 500 people in 2017.
Why did you start another cycling company at this stage of your lives?
Susan: Early in our marriage, we had several bicycle adventures in Europe, riding in France, Italy, and Switzerland. Europe has the culture and infrastructure that supports safe opportunities for cyclists and pedestrians, beautiful scenery, and hospitality in the rural areas.
After selling Tour de Nebraska, we had time to create our own European cycling tours, the result being Hound Dog Cycling Adventures. The name was inspired by our love for our Basset Hounds: Sophie, Elsie, and Josie – all of them had been ambassadors of our cycling businesses.
Jacque: How is Hound Dog Cycling Adventures different?
Susan: We only take 20 people on our tours in Europe because a small group provides the benefits of getting to know each other better and to explore on your own. We work with the local outfitters in those countries because the locals know the best off-the-beaten routes and excursions. Our guides are with us 24/7 and they add so much more to our overall experience. We want to be able to see first hand the small villages so that we can truly experience the culture, people, history, and architecture that are so unique to Europe.
Jacque: How did you develop a following for the tours?
Susan: We started by inviting people who had been on Tour de Nebraska and it’s grown from there.
Jacque: Which countries have you cycled through?
Susan: The first tour was in 2018 along the Danube River Trail. We rode through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary on a “boat and bike” tour. In 2019, we cycled through The Netherlands.
Earlier this year, we rode the Camino de Santiago coastal route through Portugal and Spain – about 200 miles in six days, another unique and meaningful experience.
Jacque: You also toured Ireland this year. What did you see there?
Susan: We spent two days in Dublin, then headed to the west coast where we rode the Cliffs of Moher and other scenic areas. We also wrapped in a music element, spending time in local pubs where local musicians shared their talent. Rich is very musical and brought his harmonica, and our son, Jack, a musician, packed his ukulele.
Jacque: Where do you stay on the tours?
Susan: We stay at small, boutique hotels located in the heart of the villages we visit so we can walk, eat, and explore on our own. In Portugal and Spain, we stayed at 1,000-year-old castles, something you cannot do in the US.
Jacque: How far do you ride each day?
Susan: We cycle anywhere from 20 to 45 miles a day, which allows time for us to linger in the rural villages we ride through and yet have plenty of energy to enjoy our overnight towns. Our local outfitters provide either hybrids or ebikes for our group so people do not have to ship their bikes. All we have to do is pedal and enjoy the ride.
Jacque: Do you manage all of the arrangements?
Susan: We work with Executive Travel of Lincoln to arrange for local outfitters, cycling routes, flights, hotel accommodations, and meals – the basic accommodations and services with plenty of time for people to explore on their own.
Jacque: What’s on your map next year?
Susan: In July of 2023, we will travel to Denmark. We were inspired to go to Denmark because it is very cycling-oriented, much like The Netherlands.
Jacque: What has been the most rewarding part of Hound Dog Cycling Adventures?
Susan: I feel so grateful that I am in a place in my life where I have the opportunity to go on these trips and invite my friends to come along with us. The opportunity to experience different countries and cultures from the seat of a bicycle is incredible, and I highly recommend it for anyone.
If you love the idea of touring around Europe on a bicycle, then Hound Dog Cycling Adventures needs to be on your bucket list. To learn more, visit hounddogcycling.com.