40th Annual Heroes Ride Bike Tour August 2-4, 2024!

Western Route

The Western Route has been riding for The Highground since 1985 with riders varying in age between the young teens and the young at heart eighty-year-olds.  The route has many rolling hills along shouldered state roads and quiet county highways. We cover 60 miles on Friday, 70 miles on Saturday and 35 miles on Sunday, with typical rest stops scheduled every 10-15 miles.  We organize several SAG vehicles and trailers for clothes, other gear and plenty of water and snack items donated by local businesses that volunteer SAG persons haul from New Richmond to The Highground. Overnight hotel rooms are blocked off; however all overnight arrangements are the rider’s responsibility. Each day lunch is provided by a Veterans group along the way. Updates are posted on our group’s Facebook page – The Highground Bike Tour.

The Western Route begins in New Richmond on Friday morning at 8am from the VFW Post 10818 (310 W North Shore Dr, New Richmond). Check in begins at 7am and all riders are encouraged to get there early to turn in registration forms, rider sponsorship forms & money, pack up the SAG vehicles, pump up any tires and meet your fellow riders! Not all bicyclists ride all three days. Some will meet up with us along the way based on their availability. We encourage as many people to ride as possible. Your registration fees and rider sponsorships go directly to support The Highground and we encourage riders to go above and beyond to get as many pledges as possible. Your support helps fund The Highground’s Veterans programs, so ask friends and family for $20 each and see the Western Route’s fundraising add up in the friendly competition. 

Ride Itinerary

On Friday, we depart from the VFW in New Richmond at 8am. We take the quietest route available to Woodville pending construction. The Woodville American Legion and Ladies Auxiliary provide a delicious lunch for us to get up the hilly second half of our trek into Menomonie. We then meet the Veterans group in the park behind Lucette’s Brewery for snacks and water before a police escort to the hotel. Dinner is covered by the same Veterans group at The Great Escape Bar and Grill where we unwind with drinks and some bags (cornhole) games on their patio. Rooms are blocked at the Super 8 hotel but not all riders need to stay there. Overnight arrangements are individually booked. 

On Saturday, we depart from the Super 8 in Menomonie with a police escort at 8am sharp. Lunch is provided at the American Legion in Eau Claire. We have one quick stop in Strum in the afternoon where snacks and beverages are provided by a variety of Veterans groups. Our last stop is in Osseo at the VFW where they provide dinner and beverages. From there a large group usually tries to get to the Norske Nook for pie provided they are still open. Rooms are blocked at the Super 8 in Osseo. Again, overnight arrangements are individually booked. 

On Sunday, we depart from the Stoney Creek Campground in Osseo (right behind the Super 8 hotel) at 8:30am. From there it is a beautiful and relatively flat 35 mile ride to The Highground. We all stop at the Wildcat Bar to regroup in the parking lot and change into the event T-shirts for the final three-mile trek up the hill on Highway 10 to arrive at The Highground around 11:30am. After group pictures, a meal provided by The Highground and the ceremony, we load bikes onto the SAG vehicle trailers and all are welcome to shuttle back to New Richmond on the school bus. This shuttle is usually heavily discounted but not free to us. A small contribution is encouraged for those who choose this option. 


Things to Bring

  • Bike, helmet, extra inner tubes, etc.  
  • Biking gear, clothes, toiletries, etc. 
  • Snacks and any specialty drinks 
  • If you choose to camp vs. book a hotel room, bring your camping gear. 
  • Friends! We always welcome new riders! 

Route Leaders

Cole: 651-895-9622 or email colepeterson70@gmail.com

Jerry: 715-246-5370 or email to simonsez1484@gmail.com