For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD – The 34th Annual Highground Bike Tour is a multiple day bicycle event to benefit veterans. The Bike Tour has several starting points across Wisconsin. Most routes begin on Aug. 3 and average 150 miles before joining with the other routes at The Highground Veterans Memorial Park on Aug. 5.

The Highground Bike Tour has its beginnings in 1984 when Highground founder Vietnam veteran, Tom Miller, rode 1,244 miles around Wisconsin. The number of miles signifies how many Vietnam War KIAs there were from Wisconsin. He did the ride to honor the sacrifices that Wisconsin families made during the Vietnam War and to raise support to create The Highground. The Bike Tour has become the largest annual fundraiser for The Highground and in 2017, it raised over $45,000.

The Highground Bike Tour has routes that start in Neillsville, Hayward, Madison, Appleton, and New Richmond. The northern route of The Highground Bike Tour will begin in Hayward on August 3; however, many riders will leave from Neillsville to join this route on Aug. 1.  To join the Highground Bike Tour northern route, contact Mike or Kathy at 715-937-6786 or mike.gleisner@hotmail.com.

To join the southern route from Madison, contact Andrew at 608-201-7328 or adsmith2391@yahoo.com.

The western route, originating in New Richmond, can be joined by contacting Jerry at 715-246-5370 or simonsez@frontiernet.net.

The Appleton-area eastern Route can be joined by contacting Curt at 920-539-5148 or karateman013184@charter.net.

Each registered rider will receive a 34th Annual Highground Bike Tour athletic tee shirt, Pizza Hut lunch at The Highground, and the chance to meet fellow bicyclists from across Wisconsin all riding for the common goal of helping veterans.

If you cannot ride in The Highground Bike Tour, please come to The Highground on Aug. 5 before 11 a.m. to welcome the riders of the Bike Tour into the park.  The Highground is located at W7031 Ridge Rd., Neillsville, WI, 54456. For more information, contact The Highground at 715-743-4224, events@thehighground.us, or www.thehighground.us.