Tony Berry of Utica, IL begins the first leg in a seven stage bicycle
trip across the continental United States on May 9, 2009. The first
stage of his journey will begin in Freeport, IL: a 1500 mile trek
through the Great Lake states. Berry wants to use the two-year trek to
promote bicycling as a healthy, spiritually rewarding and
environmentally friendly alternative to driving cars.
May 9, 2009 Tony Berry began his journey in Freeport, IL on the Jane Adams Bike Trail to Monroe, WI.
The
first day was a little challenging with the high winds and a flat
tire! But, as always, Tony persevered and made the 20 miles in a bit
less than 5 hours, which included an hour to change the back tire.
May
11, 2009 Today, after 2 nights in Monroe, due to high winds again
yesterday, Tony is off to New Glarus Woods, WI and a night of camping.
Update: Arrived in New Glarus from Monroe - 22 miles - today was a great day.
May 12 Off to Verona, WI about 25 miles today. Weather is good today, but the next couple of days don't look so good, so will probably be in Verona a couple days. Arrived in Verona..glad I planned on a couple days here as the local paper here is interviewing me tomorrow!
May 13 In Verona all day today/night.
May 14 Verona to Blue Mounds -
24 miles
Blue Mounds camp ground at the top of yet another hill(75 feet below the highest point in South central WI)
May 15 Blue Mounds to Dodgeville, WI(20 miles) mostly uphill with 30mph headwinds. So windy that he had to peddle when he rode downhill!
May 16 Dodgeville to Spring Green, WI(19 miles) for 2 nights at Wisconsin Riverside Resort.
Camping here at the home of House on the Rock, Tony had his first experience today with an unleashed dog! The dog was relentless and Tony got mad and chased the dog. Tony, that is why you have pepper spray!
First night, camping neighbors were from the Elmhurst Bicycle Club.
May 17 Today is a beautiful day for some R&R and get ready for the rest of the week.
I am meeting Jim and Melinda for a weekend of camping near Sparta(in Leon) Memorial Day Weekend. It looks like a great spot for the weekend..check it out:
May18 Rode 31 miles today from Spring Green to Reedsburg.
May 20 Reedsburg to Elroy 24 miles
May 21 Elroy to Sparta to CampLeonValley to meet up with Jim and Melinda. 43 miles
We had a great weekend of R&R camping. See pictures added from the weekend.
May 25 Leon to Onalaska, WI about 28 miles. Stopped in here, due to weather(again).
May 28 Finally, the weather broke and rode from Onalaska to Fountain City -
32 miles.
May 29 Fountain City to Alma - 20 miles
Worst day yet with wind and hills.
May 30 Alma to Menomonie - 49 miles
Most miles in a day so far...still windy, but getting used to it, I guess.
June 1 After 2nts in Menomonie, rode to Baldwin, WI - 26 miles So far, I have ridden 554 miles on the bike, not counting the side trips. Spending another day in Baldwin to regroup and plan.
June 3 Baldwin to St. Croix Falls, WI was 47miles of all hills today, along with a few unleashed dogs to deal with and need I say....headwinds! Ha! With all the obstacles, it was still a good day..I'm starting to get use to the windy conditions and the hills.
June 4 St Croix Falls to Luck, WI 17 miles.
June 6-14 Spent the week with friends, Jim and Maryann Berg at their resort in Crosslake, MN.,
Bayview Lodge on Rush Lake Jim and Maryann are the best hosts in Minnesota! My good friend, Gary Bosi, was there too and he was a great fishing guide. We took 7th place in the annual Lyon's Club fishing tourney!
It was a fantastic week, spent with great friends and a much needed break from the wind and hills. Minnesota is proving to be better bicycling(not as hilly). Also visited some friends who own Wildwood Impressions...I took a few pictures of their work. If you are ever in Crosslake, be sure to stop in at Bayview Lodge and Wildwood Impressions. Great folks and great times!
June 15 Well, after a relaxing week with good friends, I made it 36miles today to Hackensack, MN. Weather not looking so good for tomorrow...
June 16 Another day in Hackensack...pouring rain and storms all day. Need to ride tomorrow to stay on schedule.
June 17 Hackensack to Park Rapids, MN today - 38 miles. It was an interesting day on a remote trail...unable to stop because the mosquitoes were so bad. There was no one around except signs of bears along the trail! But, I made it...thanks to the extra adrenaline!LOL
June 19 After 2 nts in Park Rapids, due to storms(again) headed out for Detroit Lakes, which should have been a 40 mile ride, but had to detour and rode 51 miles to Frazee, MN(7 miles from Detroit Lakes). Found a great B&B to stay for the night.
June 20 So the plan worked out to meet up with friend and business associate, Dave Roby of Praxis Strategy Group, from Fargo, ND. Dave drove over to Frazee and we had lunch together. Alas, we both found a turkey, bigger than either one of us!LOL
June 21 Staying in Frazee, then on to South Turtle Lake to meet up with the Reitgrafs(Steve, his dad, Jim and his son, Peyton). Steve Reitgraf is a home builder in the Utica, IL area and just happens to be on a vacation in the area that I am riding through. Look forward to visiting with them. More pics are up under
bike trip photos
June 22 Frazee to South Turtle Lake Resort. 51 miles. Had a great time with the Reitgraf gang. Stayed 2 nts w/them.
June 24 On to Ashby, MN - 25 miles
June 25 Ashby to Alexandria - 28 miles
June 26 Alexandria to Sauk Centre - 28 miles.
June 27 Sauk Centre to Richmond(31 miles) to hook up with Jim and Melinda Hamilton for a few days. We stayed at
Morning Star Campground and Lodge on Rice Lake. It was a beautiful place...the weather wasn't great, but it was worth spending the time with good friends!
July 1 Richmond to Litchfield - 26 miles
July 2 On to Fairfax, MN - 50 miles
July 4 Fairfax to Saint James - 44 miles
July 6 Saint James to Blue Earth, MN - 51 miles.
