Mike on a Bike

Mike Perry, a EUREKA! trip leader and Grand Junction community staple, is biking across Iowa and Wisconsin this June to support science education on the Western Slope! Never a biking enthusiast, Mike was inspired in 1999 when he read about a couple living in Oregon who rode their bikes across the country and had just completed their journey in Astoria, OR. He dusted off his first generation Trek mountain bike, half-converted it to a road bike, and began his own cross-country ride at Fort Stephens, OR.

Life and new jobs have interrupted his rides, but he continued through Oregon, southern Idaho, northern Utah, across Wyoming to Kremmling, Colorado. Last year, Mike biked across flat, windy Nebraska.

This year Mike is continuing his journey to support EUREKA! and science learning for kids on the Western Slope by biking across Iowa and Wisconsin!

June 22, 2021
Mike Completes his Ride!

Mike Perry has finished his two-wheeled journey across Iowa and Wisconsin! He ended his ride on the West shore of Lake Michigan - so he'll be ready to start on the East shore next year! But first - a long drive home and REST. Well done Mike and Sandy!

June 21, 2021

Day 7 of riding and finally we hit a day with tail winds, flat roads and good shoulders, hence 74.7 miles. Tomorrow we put a wrap on season two. A surprise for us to pass through the birthplace of the P T Barnum Circus- Delavan, Wisconsin. And then a park devoted to spoon (we didn't stop). Another great roadside picnic then ride through numerous "ville's"- Footville, Janesville, Orfordville, and who knows maybe a Whoville around the corner. Another great day in a beautiful state. Cheers to Wisconsin

June 19, 2021

61 miles on day 6! On the road less traveled today - with more motorcycles out in force. I quickly learned that what goes up must come down. I saw many power poles disappearing, reappearing, and then disappearing several times up and down hills today. I just grit my teeth, kept my head down, and soldiered on. In energy expended today, it was probably double my actual miles today.

On the road less traveled you also see some strange sights - an alien landing ship surrounded by dinosaurs and a church on the horizon. Beautiful scenery all the way, though. Tonight we're in Monroe and both ready for a rest day tomorrow!

June 18, 2021

Finished up Iowa today with 300 miles behind us. Wisconsin, here we come! Today really began with our server at dinner last night. Also named Sandy, she immediately got our attention with a description of her home in Lansing and what a better ride that would be for us. She even said she'd wait by the road to cheer me on after her night shift at Walmart. True to her word, she met me by the side of the road and then met up with Sandy 10 miles closer to Lansing.

It was great to finally reach the Mississippi! After a nice lunch, we rode along the river to see the fascinating Effigy Mounds National Monument, another hidden gem recommended by Chuck. Along the river we crossed over to the Wisconsin side. Ready for more tomorrow!

Our ride concluded in Decorah where we went scouting to find the Bald Eagle Nest my daughter, Allyson, has been showing her elementary school students via webcam for the past 11 years. We found the next next door to a Walmart! Tomorrow we hit the Mississippi!

June 17, 2021

Day 4 was a little low on miles at 42, but we had planned on a slower day to do and see some things around Decorah. At a rest stop we saw our first Amish family in their beautiful buggy. They were very friendly and let me (the "young man" as they called me) get a photo without their faces.

Down the road we discovered a 22 mile long bike path, the Prairie Farm Recreational Trail. It wasn't on the map but seemed to head my way. A great find - but it did end up taking me 10 miles in a different direction! This was because I ended up in Spillville, home of the amazing Billy Clock Museum and the one-time residence of Antonin Dvorak, we he composed the last part of The New World Symphony! We took the tour of both, and so glad we did.

June 16, 2021

First day of solo riding - a long, long day on the road. BUT, passing a little town of Fertile followed shortly after a little "bedroom" community of Manly brought a smile to my day. What's next - Familyville??

I had a great picnic lunch at a shady spot near Osage, then on to stop #5 (at the 50 mile mark), but a little confusion and miscommunication put me at the little hamlet of New Haven with Sandy 5 miles further down the road. Who's better at waiting? You guess!

Final stop - Riceville with an overnight at the hotel down the road in Cresco. Total of 62.3 miles for day 3!

Right, looking like a real biker in my base layer for under my helmet.

The towns of Fertile, Manly, and Forest City - home of the Winnebago!

June 15, 2021

Day 2 brought clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and good roads for our 82-mile ride from Spirit City to Forest City. We concentrated on getting ahead of the afternoon wind and did little sightseeing today. Our lunch stop at the little town of Lakota was briefly interrupted by a long, loud siren. At first I thought it was a tornado warning siren, but it was just the town's daily lunch reminder bell!

This evening Chuck's wife, Kathy, drove up from Des Moines to pick up Chuck. After a great dinner we said goodbye to our friends, and I am now preparing for a solo remainder of the trip. Chuck is an amazing guy, nearly 80 years old, and can outride many 30 and 40-year old's I've ridden with! A salute to a good friend and riding partner.

Bottom left is our lunch rest stop, and below is a remnant from the ice age! Quite the souvenir for this farmer.

June 14, 2021

Wheels on the ground! My good friend Chuck is joining me for the first few days and our first day on the road began with an early morning departure from Sioux falls, SD. A beautiful overcast morning with a slight breeze on our cheeks soon turned to strong headwinds that reduced our speed from 14 mph to 10 mph or less. Kind of like riding uphill all day!

Our ambitious goal of 83 miles turned into a modest 65 miles and we settled down in Spirit Lake. Iowa was much more than I anticipated - miles and miles of greenery (corn and bean fields) and many other sites along the way.

The roads are not exactly bike-friendly, with no shoulder, rumble strips, and heavy farm machinery and commercial traffic. In spite of this, the folks were courteous and an occasional wave spurred us on. A plus this night was a visit and dinner at one of Spirit Lake's amusement parks. All in all, a great start to our biking adventure!

Below is a museum of agricultural history of the area, a photo at the highest elevation in Iowa (1,670 feet above sea level), and a typical view from along our ride.

June 11, 2021

This ride would not be possible without the full support and encouragement of my wife, Sandy, who is there waiting every 10 miles or so to make sure I'm fed and hydrated, and important words of encouragement throughout each day. I simply couldn't tackle this challenge without her!

June 6, 2021

You may wonder what a scorpion embedded in a banana flavored sucker has to do with Mike on a Bike. Well - it has everything to do with two friends reminding me to take a bite out of this sucker when I need some quick energy, which includes a bit of protein, to get back on the road! I'm not exactly sure if they're wishing me good luck or not...

June 3, 2021

Good friend and Eureka! supporter, Chuck Safris from Iowa, will join the  "Mike on a Bike" ride for several days as we navigate northern Iowa backcountry roads. Chuck, an avid biker has had a long history of supporting Grand Junction organizations including Dinosaur Journey in Fruita and now the Eureka McConnell Science Museum and their STEAM camps. A BIG THANKS to CHUCK and his wife, KATHY for their support.

May 31, 2021

A Memorial Day Ride with "Mike Back on a Bike 2021" training ride with co-rider and daughter Allyson Willoghby. Fun stops to talk about Grand Junction history and special treat to see the newly fledged bald eagle baby and parents. 

May 24, 2021

Half the fun in training for my ride has been in the planning and anticipation of a new adventure. This year, my daughter Allyson will be my riding partner for the second time! Right now, we are looking at our route and checking for points of interest along the way.

In Decorah, IA we're going to make a stop at a Bald Eagle's nest that Allyson has been showing, via webcam, her elementary school students for the past 11 years!

In Wisconsin, a stop at the famous Alex Jordan Junior's "House on the Rock" will no doubt hold us up for several hours, but we are all about having fun!

Photo of the House on the Rock from allthatisinteresting.com/house-on-the-rock

May 20, 2021

Family training rides are the best. Problem is the time goes to heck - too much time chatting and laughing!

May 10, 2021

EUREKA! Staff and Board President joined Mike for a 28-mile ride in Fruita! Mike is a natural tour guide, and we got to meet friendly pigs, Bonnie & Boomer on the way back from Highline Lake.