Worthington not too steamy for group of cyclists
Across America North tour spends evening in communityWORTHINGTON — Extreme heat warnings weren’t enough to keep the cyclists on the Across America North tour from making it to their next destination.
- Biking
WORTHINGTON — Extreme heat warnings weren’t enough to keep the cyclists on the Across America North tour from making it to their next destination.
Sixty-fice cyclists and staff of the Across America North tour stopped Monday in Worthington to spend the night at the Super 8 Hotel. Forty-eight people are biking across the country, including five international people.
“Today wasn’t that bad, because of the wind,” said Marie Strassburger of California. “In my opinion, we’ve been extremely lucky, with only one day in the 100s.”
Strassburger said it was a short day for them, as they only biked 66 miles. The average is 78 miles a day, while their top day is 120 miles.
The Across America North tour is a 3,667 mile coast-to-coast tour that lasts approximately 60 days. It’s one of many America by Bicycle tours that take place throughout the year.
People on the tour come from all over the country — and in some cases the world — to bike across the northern half of America. Cyclists on Monday traveled from Sioux Falls, S.D., to Worthington.
Even with the heat advisory, the riders could still be seen biking around Lake Okabena in the afternoon.
Some of the cyclists are on the tour for more than just a view of America and the biking experience.
Barry Haarde is a hemophiliac and a 30-year HIV survivor. In the 1980s, he and numerous other hemophiliacs received tainted blood and contracted the HIV virus.
He’s now biking across the country in attempts to raise money for Save One Life, an organization that provides medication to people with hemophilia in other countries.
“I’m the first hemophiliac to bike across the country, to my knowledge,” Haarde said.
Haarde is shooting to raise $50,000 for the cause. As of now, he has raised $20,000.
Richard Carey is also on the tour, trying to raise money and awareness for Freedom to Marry in an attempt to overturn federal marriage discrimination.
“The government gives out driver’s licenses and fishing licenses, but they can’t give someone a marriage license just because the two people are the same sex,” Carey. said “It’s a legal, social and civil matter.”
Carey has raised just over $14,000. His goal is $25,000.
About 15 percent of the people on the tour are fundraising for some sort of cause or charity.
The tour travels today to Mankato — a 102-mile ride — where temperatures are also expected to be in the 90s.
“It’s a great way to see America,” Strassburger said. “You get to see the beautiful and the not-so-beautiful parts. Some days it’s prettier than others.”
Jo Patel, owner of the Super 8, hosted the group last year, too.
“They are a very nice group,” Patel said. “They are happy to come every year. It brings good business to the community, and they like it here.”
Patel also thanked Hy-Vee, Wal-Mart, Fareway, ShopKo, Culligan and the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce office for their donations and support.
Daily Globe Reporter Brianna Darling may be reached at 376-7321.
Tags: across america north tour, news, spends, evening, worthington
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