Course and Schedule
SUPPORTING PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES
FOR A FUTURE WE CAN REALLY BELIEVE IN!!
Progressive? Future we can really believe in?
Take a look at the People's Platform: https://summerforprogress.com/platform
15 September: Get on the Road to Victory!
FOR A FUTURE WE CAN REALLY BELIEVE IN!!
Progressive? Future we can really believe in?
Take a look at the People's Platform: https://summerforprogress.com/platform
15 September: Get on the Road to Victory!
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6 November: Cross the Finish Line United
SEPTEMBER
WISCONSIN
14th--PARTICIPATION IN FIGHTING BOB FEST IN MADISON WITH OUR OWN DANNY CHICAGO HELPING TO OPEN THE EVENT! 15th--”Capital Kickoff” from 10:30 to 11:30 am at the Dane County Farmers’ Market on Capitol Square in Madison with live music, Our Wisconsin Revolution Co-Chair Terrance Warthen, OWR-endorsed candidates Brittany Keyes and Ann Groves Lloyd, Fighting Bob Fest organizer Norman Stockwell, and Bikeathon cookies from a Farmers’ Market baker for the first 100 attendees. You can RSVP with our Participation Form now! 15th--Madison to Cooksville Miles 25 / Total Miles 25 After kicking off the Bikeathon with a mighty musical message at the Fighting Bob Fest in Madison, we have a light two-hour ride, following the Capital City Trail to Cooksville. Who has a good suggestion for our first dinner venue in or near Cooksville? 16th--Cooksville to Janesville Miles 22/ Total Miles 47 Following a leisurely breakfast in one "ville," we will pedal to another, this time it is Janesville, where we will look for signs of Randy Bryce, alias the "Iron Stache" who is gearing up to take Paul Ryan's seat in Congress! 17th--Janesville to Beloit Miles 16 / Total Miles 63 Day three is a piece of cake! The Peace Trail ride is a mere 16 miles. Along the way we will stop to smell the roses. In Beloit we hope to learn more about Mark Pocan's Congressional campaign. We might even have time to volunteer before dinner. Stay tuned! 18th--Beloit to Rockford, IL Miles 21 / Total Miles 84 Today we bid farewell to our friends in Wisconsin, wishing them the best for the Midterms. Remember--GET OUT THE VOTE! We enter Illinois, looking forward to making new friends on our way to Chicago, where we will celebrate our first big rally. ILLINOIS 19th--Rockford to Sycamore Miles 36 / Total Miles 120 We pedal to Sycamore via New Milford, Lindenwood, and Esmond. When was the last time you visited these Northern Illinois towns? Join us, as we stop for lunch and happy-hour chats at two select venues along the way. 20th--Sycamore to Glen Ellyn Miles 42 / Total Miles 162 Most of today's route is the Great Western Trail--time to relish nature! The 18-mile (29 km) crushed-stone path traverses unincorporated rural townships, natural wetlands, some restored prairies, and farmland. Our final destination will be on the edge of the famous Morton Arboretum. 21st--Glen Ellyn to Chicago Miles 20 / Total Miles 182 Today we continue on the Great Western Trail to the Windy City. This Friday will be the calm before the progressive storm--our Fighting Illini Rally. It promises to be a romping affair. See below for details! 22 SEPTEMBER--FIGHTING ILLINI RALLY IN CHICAGO! The renowned Wishbone Cafe North is the site of our rally in support of progressive candidates endorsed by Our Revolution Illinois. Speakers include ORIll Julie Reschke and Abdelnasser Rashid, candidate for Cook County Commissioner. Buffet food and soft drinks will be provided. Our Danny Chicago will perform live! You can RSVP with our Participation Form now! 23-30 SEPTEMBER--JOIN US TO KNOCK ON DOORS AND MAKE SOME CALLS OCTOBER
INDIANA
1st--Chicago to Gary, IN Miles 31 / Total Miles 213 After a week of volunteering for progressive candidates in Chicago, we head back to the road, stopping along the way in Jackson Park, where the Obama Presidential Center will be constructed. We then continue to Gary, IN where the intellectual father of the Occupy Wall Street movement, Joseph Stiglitz, grew up. 2nd--Gary to Michigan City Miles 29 / Total Miles 242 This is our first bikeathon venture through a national park. Yes, that's right. Gary, IN is on the edge of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Park. Bob Pahre, who "studies" the park, will show it to us. We the will travel along the Calumet Trail, through the park, and on to Michigan City. Stay tuned! 3rd--Michigan City to South Bend Miles 36 / Total Miles 278 Today we take a north bend on our way to South Bend so that we can figure out why there is a Chicago Trail in Notre Dame country. (That could be the answer.) In South Bend we want to meet the impressive Mayor with one of the less usual names you will run across--Pete Buttigieg. Hmmmmm. 4th--South Bend to Dowagiac, MI Miles 28 / Total Miles 306 We leave Indiana heading due north into Michigan on our way to Dowagiac. I love the names of U.S. towns and cities. Michigan has plenty of good ones. Dowagiac is certainly one of them. Let's see what else it has to offer! MICHIGAN 5th--Dowagiac to Kalamazoo Miles 40 / Total Miles 346 Remember yesterday's claim about Michigan's good town and city names? Today we travel through Paw Paw on our way to a much deserved break in Kalamazoo. I rest my case. It also is time to rest, period! At the end of our second week on the road, what better place to rally than at one of the amazing microbreweries in Kalamazoo! 5 OCTOBER RALLY: TAKE A BREATHER IN KALAMAZOO! Bell’s Brewery is the site of our breather. Join us with members of ProKzoo, NextGenMichigan, and other progressive Michiganders for an evening of lively discussion and planning for victory in November! 6th--Kalamazoo to Battle Creek Miles 25 / Total Miles 371 There is no rest for the weary! We are on to Battle Creek, where I may eat some cornflakes for lunch. Several famous people and events are associated with Battle Creek. Sojourner Truth escaped slavery and selected the city as her new home. Muhammad Ali gave a memorable speech here. Let's see what else we can find! 7th--Battle Creek to Jackson Miles 48 / Total Miles 419 For those keeping track, this will be our longest day in the saddle--almost 50 miles. The Falling Waters Trail promises beautiful scenery not far from Jackson. That gives us a goal along the way. We will take breaks and look forward to a good dinner in Jackson. In other words: no sweat! 8th--Jackson to Ann Arbor Miles 37 / Total Miles 456 We start the new work week on a somewhat shorter course, more downhill than up, the wind at our backs, sailing to Ann Arbor where I taught in 1984. Yes, that was an election year. Do you remember my fellow Minnesotan, Walter Mondale? Stay tuned for some reminiscing and looking forward to a great campus town! 9-12 OCTOBER--JOIN US TO KNOCK ON DOORS AND MAKE SOME CALLS! This marks the halfway point in our road trip to remember. I will head south to Fort Wayne briefly where tolerant in-laws will host my visit. For a few days I will volunteer for Courtney Tritch. Courtney has mounted a serious challenge to an incumbent U.S. Representative who kowtows to the current administration in its quest to favor the few at our expense. That must change. Courtney can help! So can we! 13th--Ann Arbor to Detroit Miles 43 / Total Miles 499 When we reach Detroit, we will have bicycled 499 miles! That makes it the "motor" city for me. Abdul El Sayed, candidate for governor, has contributed to real progress in Detroit. Join us to see who else is active in Detroit and what's up! 14 OCTOBER: DETROIT RALLY--500 MILES DOWN, 350 TO GO! What's going on in Detroit? My sources tell me there is plenty going on in Detroit! It is definitely "changing gears." At this point, we will have biked 500 miles, and it will be just three weeks until the Midterm elections! We will meet in an up-and-coming neighborhood, ready to shift into a "higher gear," while learning more about the city's political landscape and how we can assist its progressive candidates. 15 OCTOBER: DETROIT VOLUNTEER DAY Actually, this is another day of volunteering . . . . As always, we invite all to volunteer for progressive candidates, as the Midterm election campaigns heat up. We also invite all to follow us (in person and online) as we pedal through Southern Michigan and Northern Ohio, talking with everyone who is willing-- and volunteering for progressive candidates at every stop along the way. Stay tuned for more details for our day in Detroit! 16th--Detroit to Monroe Miles 36 / Total Miles 535 We are back on the road, moving south from Lake Michigan to Lake Erie. Milestones along the way include Southgate, Flatrock, and Steiner. For me this is unexplored territory. I am eager to meet and listen to Eastern Michiganders, learning what they think three weeks before the Midterms! OHIO 17th--Monroe, MI to Toledo Miles 20 / Total Miles 555 After almost two weeks in autumnal Michigan, we say goodbye to our progressive Michigander friends, wishing all of us much success on election day! Now, it is time to focus on Ohio, and I say: HOLY TOLEDO! This short leg leaves us plenty of time to settle into our lodgings, explore the city, and talk with the people in this home of the Mud Hens, Walleyes, and more. Who knows, we might even run into Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz! 18th--Toledo to Fremont Miles 33 / Total Miles 588 It has been some time since our course included a dedicated bicycle trail. That changes today, when the North Coast Inland Trail is our “main course.” It promises some wonderful cycling on our way to Fremont. Upon arrival, we have the opportunity to explore the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center. Hayes, you may recall, was a staunch abolitionist who supported civil rights in the aftermath of the Civil War. 19th--Fremont to Norwalk Miles 29 / Total Miles 617 We continue along the North Coast Inland Trail to Norwalk, breaking into the 600-mile range of our road trip. I imagine we all will be grateful for a second day on the trail, as we descend on Norwalk, seat of Huron County and home of Alice Rufie Jordan Blake, the first female law graduate of Yale University! 20th--Norwalk to Elyria Miles 33 / Total Miles 650 For those wondering why not spend a third day on the North Coast Inland Trail, I say: OK! Along the way, we pass through some great Ohio “burgs,” including Collins, Wakeman, Kipton, and Oberlin. I am eager to see the home of the renowned Oberlin College, and Elyria. Anyone for an early evening picnic in Cascade Park? 21st--Elyria to Cleveland Miles 28 / Total Miles 678 Our reward for several days on the road, is arriving in Cleveland just in time for our penultimate rally and several more days of volunteering for progressive candidates. As our final countdown begins, we will celebrate all that we have achieved so far and get ready to achieve even more! But first let’s cycle for sanity into Cleveland . . . . 21 OCTOBER: CLEVELAND RALLY--LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN! What's going on in Cleveland? Among other things, the Cleveland Indians might be in the World Series now! Our "Cycle for Sanity" adventure will have reached the 700 mile mark, and it will be just a little more than two weeks until the Midterm elections. Let the countdown begin! We will meet in an up-and-coming neighborhood, ready to shift into an even "higher gear," while learning more about the city's political landscape and how we can assist its progressive candidates. 22-27 OCTOBER--JOIN US TO KNOCK ON DOORS AND MAKE SOME CALLS! We invite all to volunteer for progressive candidates, as the Midterm election campaigns heat up. We also invite all to follow us (in person and online) as we pedal through Northeastern Ohio and into Pennsylvania, talking with everyone who is willing-- and volunteering for progressive candidates at every stop along the way. 28th--Cleveland to Akron Miles 37 / Total Miles 715 For the final time we hit the road, as the final countdown continues. Today the amazing Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail awaits us. Join us for this journey into our own migrational history at the end of which we arrive in Akron, a city with its own rich history of challenges and progress. Sojourner Truth gave her famous speech (Ain’t I A Woman?) here. Of course, it also is known as the rubber capital of the world. Think Goodyear Tires. 29th--Akron to West Branch Miles 25 / Total Miles 740 The Freedom Trail takes us to our next destination. The West Branch State Park offers us a great lunch time venue and opportunity to collect our thoughts near the end of the road. The Rocking Horse Inn in nearby Ravenna could rock us to sleep in preparation for our last two days in Ohio. 30th--West Branch to Youngstown Miles 34 / Total Miles 774 At the end of the ride, we arrive in Youngstown where coal and immigration have defined much of its industrial ups and downs. In the early 20th century, the community saw an influx of immigrants from non-European countries, including what is modern day Lebanon, Palestine/Israel, and Syria. That produced a nativist backlash, and the Mahoning Valley became a center of Ku Klux Klan activity. I am curious to learn about this legacy of Midwestern multiculturalism. PENNSYLVANIA 31st--Youngstown to Beaver Falls Miles 36 / Total Miles 810 Farewell and good luck to all our progressive friends in Ohio and HALLO--ween to all in Pennsylvania! We will enter the Keystone state so strongly associated with our founding fathers and their vision for our democracy, ready to unite for victory on election day. Look for me in my George Washington costume. What will you wear? NOVEMBER
1st--Beaver Falls to Pittsburgh Miles 34 / Total Miles 844
We will hug the Ohio River almost all day, recovering from our Halloween entry to Pennsylvania and excited about arriving in Pittsburgh. Yes, this city has a rich history and a vibrant presence today. We are eager to learn more about neighborhoods like East Liberty and candidates, like nearby Braddock's John Fetterman! 2 NOVEMBER: PITTSBURGH RALLY--THE FINAL COUNTDOWN! We have almost reached the finish line. Our "Cycle for Sanity" adventure will have passed the 800 mile mark, and it will be just a few days until the Midterm elections. Let the final countdown begin! We will meet in an up-and-coming neighborhood, ready to shift into our "highest gear," while learning more about the city's political landscape and how we can assist its progressive candidates. Join us for an evening of fun and to receive marching orders for crossing the finish line united on election day! More details will appear here soon! 3-5 NOVEMBER--JOIN US TO KNOCK ON DOORS AND MAKE SOME CALLS! In addition to celebrating our progress, we will volunteer for progressive candidates in preparation for election day when we pedal on to the finish line united in Braddock! We will link of efforts with that of The Last Weekend! Actually, we are starting now! 6th--Pittsburgh to Braddock Miles 11 / Total Miles 855 Today we pedal to Braddock along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and the Great Allegheny Passage/Steel Valley Trail. In less than an hour we arrive in Braddock where progressives, like John Fetterman and Summer Lee, have rolled up their shirt sleeves and made some real progress! CROSS THE FINISH LINE UNITED FOR PROGRESS ON ELECTION DAY!
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