After biking into Evanston, Illinois, and meeting our warm showers hosts Jeff and Dory, we celebrated crossing the 3,000-mile mark with a great dinner and company. The next day, we biked into a scorching hot Chicago, facing one of the hottest days of the trip, making it clear why the episode is called “Too Hot to Handle.” Riding on Chicago’s Lakefront Trail offered some relief from the city’s challenging bike infrastructure, and we arrived at Cozy’s Cyclery for a fantastic event. Just as we wrapped up, a fierce storm hit, complete with lightning and hail, but we managed to find shelter and enjoy a relaxing evening with a friend. Despite the ups and downs, including a recovered GoPro we thought was lost, the kindness and generosity of people like Kevin, Brian, and Kimika have been crucial in keeping us motivated on this journey.

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We started the day with a warm ride on the Glacial Drumlin Trail in Wisconsin, as a heatwave made the temperatures soar. Realizing we needed a break and a shower, we reached out to a Warm Showers host, Pam, in Milwaukee, who graciously hosted us for the night. The next day, after fixing Polo’s tire and spokes, we rode towards Chicago along Lake Michigan, taking a refreshing dip to cool off. We met a friendly cyclist, Mark, who connected us with John, a local bike shop owner who surprised us with water and electrolytes—such a kind gesture that made our Wisconsin experience even more memorable. As we crossed into Illinois on a quiet bike trail, we could feel the increasing urban density but appreciated the ongoing greenway paths leading us to Chicago.

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We woke up in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, after a night on a middle school football field, and a friendly encounter with a staff member kicked off our day with positivity. As we cycled through the beautiful rolling hills of Wisconsin, we reached Madison, a vibrant city with stunning lakes and a bustling university vibe. We met up with my friend Caitlin, who graciously hosted us and helped us run some errands, including picking up new, durable tires sent by Janet from Steintrikes. After a restful day in Madison, we continued our journey on the beautiful Glacial Drumlin Trail towards Milwaukee, enjoying a magical evening ride accompanied by the rare sight of fireflies. Wisconsin has truly been a delightful surprise, exceeding all our expectations.

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Today was our best biking day yet, riding entirely on Wisconsin’s scenic gravel trails. We started near Bryce Prairie and quickly got a new tire for Polo, thanks to an early-opening bike shop and a friendly cyclist, Jim, who rode with us. The trails were vibrant with life, and we met some incredible cyclists, including Gary and his wife with their solar-powered tandem trike, the first we’ve seen on our journey. The highlight was biking through the historic Sparta Elroy trail tunnels, remnants of old railroads, where the natural beauty and history merged spectacularly. We ended the day with wildlife sightings and a beautiful sunset, feeling incredibly grateful for the experience in Wisconsin.

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We started the day in Bay City, Wisconsin, excited for some bike-friendly trails ahead. However, the morning proved challenging with unexpected hills along the Mississippi and another flat tire for Polo. After some repairs, we continued along the Great River Bike Trail, enjoying the lush scenery and vibrant wildlife. The swampy sections along the trail felt like a different world, full of rabbits, birds, and wildflowers—a stark contrast to the monocultures of South Dakota and Nebraska. We did have to deal with swarms of mosquitoes and a fallen tree blocking our path, but overall, Wisconsin has been a beautiful experience. We’re looking forward to more gravel trail riding tomorrow!

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We set out from Minneapolis with a plan to follow the Mississippi River, but got off to a rough start by ending up on a dangerous road near the airport. After some quick problem-solving and bike repairs, we finally made it to the quieter Wisconsin side. Our day ended at a beautiful, wide stretch of the Mississippi, where we were visited by a local father and son, Jason and Brantley. They shared their love for the river and even brought us a special stone from home. Their kindness was a heartwarming reminder of why we love meeting people on this journey. Despite the mosquitoes, we’re ready for more adventures in Wisconsin.

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Upon arriving in Minneapolis, we were warmly welcomed by our Warm Showers hosts, Leslie and Miles, who treated us to a lovely evening by Lake Harriet. The next day, Miles helped Polo fix his bike, and we met with Bob Blake from Solar Bear to learn about their work bringing solar power to Indigenous communities, which was both inspiring and fun. Spending extra time in Minneapolis allowed us to rest and connect deeply with Leslie and Miles, who shared stories of their own cross-country bike journey in 1981. As we left the city, we noticed the stark contrast between the urban political landscape and the rural areas we cycled through, a reminder of the diversity of perspectives across the country.

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We sprinted 400 miles from South Dakota to Minneapolis, fueled by tailwinds and flat terrain. Along the way, we visited De Smet, the home of Little House on the Prairie, and explored a town with a large community of Karen refugees. The journey was smooth until our last day when everything went wrong. First, Polo’s tire exploded, covering him in green slime, and then two spokes broke on his bike just miles from our destination. Despite these setbacks, we finally made it to Minneapolis, where our Warm Showers hosts welcomed us with open arms, ending the day on a high note.

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Waking up on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, we faced tough winds but made it to Kadoka quickly. The afternoon brought headwinds that slowed us down, leading to a late arrival in Murdo, where we accidentally camped on private property and were woken up by the sheriff. After a quick explanation, they let us off with a warning.

Our day improved with a diner breakfast, where Jim and his friends from Michigan treated us and lifted our spirits. Fueled by their kindness, we made it to Pierre, where our Warm Showers hosts, Scott and Tammy, welcomed us with open arms. We spent a peaceful evening sharing stories by the Missouri River, grateful for the generosity we’ve encountered. Next up: Minnesota.

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We finally crossed into the Midwest after a windy ride through Wyoming and Nebraska, marking a major milestone in our journey. The flat terrain we had hoped for came with its own challenges—strong winds that battered us and even claimed our Green Journey flag. But amidst the struggles, there were bright spots: a chance encounter with a French family, and a day where everything just clicked, letting us cruise through 112 miles with ease. As we settle into the rhythm of the Midwest, we’re grateful for the small victories and the energy that keeps us moving forward.

Learn more at https://linktr.ee/thegreenjourney.