August 3 – 5, 2018
EXPORE – 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 Friday, August 3rd and average 150 miles on their journey before joining with the other routes at The Highground Veterans Memorial Park on Sunday, August 5th.
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, which is now considered by many to be one of the nation’s finest veterans memorial parks, second only to the memorials in Washington D.C.
The Highground is also one of the few, if not only, manned veterans parks in the nation; helps veterans and their families heal from the costs of war; and is open to the public year round. The Bike Tour has become the largest annual fundraiser for The Highground, 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 3rd, however, many riders will leave from Neillsville to join this route on Wednesday, August 1st! To join the Highground Bike Tour “Northern Route” contact Mike or Kathy at 715-937-6786, mike.gleisner@hotmail.com; or Tom at 715-897-4661.
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 simonsez@frontiernet.net.
The Appleton-area, “Eastern Route” can be joined by contacting Curt at 920-539-5148 karateman013184@charter.net.
Registration for The Highground Bike Tour is $100. 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.
All proceeds from the Bike Tour will go to The Highground Veterans Memorial Park. The Highground is the only manned veterans park in the nation. It is open year round and has several programs, ceremonies, events and exhibits throughout the year to offer healing and education for veterans, their families and all who visit.
Sponsors of the Bike Tour include: Central WI Broadcasting, Menzner Lumber & Supply, JBT / A&B Process Systems, Scheels, Pizza Hut, H & S Manufacturing, The Sports Den – Marshfield, New Moon Bike & Ski – Hayward, Three Rivers Martial Arts Academy, Live Well Chiropractic in PA.
If you cannot ride in The Highground Bike Tour, please come to The Highground on Sunday, August 5th before 11am to welcome the riders of the Bike Tour into the park! The Highground is located at W7031 Ridge Rd, Neillsville WI 54456. For additional information, contact The Highground at 715-743-4224, events@thehighground.us or www.thehighground.us.
