Illinois Cyclists Keep
Tired Legs Pumping

June 17, 1979

By NED DISMUKES
Of the World Staff

CHETOPA, Kan. - More than 100 Free Wheel '79 bicyclist reached the end of the road here Saturday, winding up their 431-mile trip across Oklahoma.

But for two enthusiasts, this Kansas community is just another stop on their 1000-mile lone journey from Lake Texoma to St. Louis.

The two, Rich Groenwald, of North Chicago, Ill., and Mike Mercure of Zion, Ill., will head north Sunday aiming to cover the 500 miles between here and St. Louis by next Saturday.

Both bicyclists, members of the Lake County, Ill., Bicycle Club, are no strangers to long distance bike trips.

Last summer the pair flew to West Yellowstone, Mont., and rode south to Salt Lake City.

That trip took them though Yellowstone National Park, past the Grand Tetons, and on to Utah.

As if that weren't enough, they bicycled in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colo.

Commenting on the trip, Groenwald observed, "The grades in Colorado were less inclined than the grads through Oklahoma. But they were longer."

It was Groenwald's first long bicycle tour in three years of serious pedaling.

Mercure has been bicycling for four years with three bicycle tours under his belt prior to last summer's western trip.

Mercure has ridden across Wisconsin twice, the second time with his seven-year-old son and a 57-year-old priest. He has also pedaled across Michigan.

The two cyclists travel self-contained, each carrying 40 pounds of gear strapped on their bikes. "We have a tent that comes in to pieces - we both carry a section," Mercure chuckled.

An overnight hotel rest-stop should fortify the two for the rest of their trip. Heading north out of here, they will travel 42 miles to intersect the Bikecentennial Trans America Trail.

Turning east on the trail, they will go through Pittsburgh, KS, and then into Missouri.

The two will head north at Raymondville, MO, working their way to St. Louis. Merimac Carvens in the Ozarks should provide the pedalists with plenty of sights.

Most Free Wheelers were rehashing tales of the trip and relaxing after the long trip from Bartlesville, Saturday. That is, all but the two from Illinois who were preparing for the rest of their trip.

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