For the Hub City Times

NEILLSVILLE – If you saw a spaceship-shaped vehicle rolling down central Wisconsin highways on July 20, that was long-distance cyclist Tom Kingsbury on a specialized aerodynamic bicycle.

Kingsbury embarked from The Highground Veterans Memorial Park near Neillsville, on what’s being called the “Heroes Ride.” That’s a 16-day, around-the-state bicycle trek that Highground executive director Jon Weiler says raises money for veteran suicide prevention programs.

“We’ll be going all around the state, a total of 1,691 miles on a pedal-bike,” Weiler explained.  “And one guy (Tom Kingsbury) will be riding the whole thing, and it’s going to be a big deal.   It’s to raise awareness about the veterans rate of suicide.”

Kingsbury made his first stop in Merrill, to honor hometown hero Ryan Jopek who was killed-in-action in Tikrit, Iraq back in August of 2006.  Subsequent cities on Kingsbury’s route include Manitowoc, Green Bay, Madison, Platteville, and La Crosse.

The trip also commemorates the original ride around Wisconsin made by Highground founder Tom Miller to start the veterans park.  It all ends on Aug. 4, when Kingsbury returns to The Highground as part of the park’s annual bicycle tour.

You can find Kingsbury’s full route, scheduled stops, and how to sign up to ride short portions of the trip with Tom, at https://thehighgroundheroesride.com/join-the-ride/.