Minnesota cyclists Zach Chase and Kris McNeal will embark on a three-month bike tour around the Great Lakes starting May 1. They are expected to pass through Sarnia around May 22.
"As they reached the top of a mountain overlooking the Pacific Ocean, cyclists Kris McNeal and Zach Chase started putting the wheels in motion for their next adventure.
This time, the 20-somethings from Minnesota wanted to do a “more professional” ride closer to home. They were in the midst of crossing three western U.S. states.
“As the days went on, we developed the idea and then one day we agreed on (the thought), 'Let's bike around Lake Superior, heck let's bike around all the Great Lakes,'” McNeal recalled.
Four years later, Chase, now 25, and McNeal, 26, will finally embark on their Great Lakes adventure. They will clock more than 8,500 kilometres on their bikes, starting in Duluth, MN. May 1. They will pass through several Quebec and Ontario cities, including Sarnia around May 22.
While Chase and McNeal will be away from family and work for three months, they have received nothing but support about their journey dubbed Big Water Bike.
“Our families are really excited for us,” McNeal said. “We are doing something that hasn't been done before and it is a huge life goal for both of us...”
The pair are forced to travel light with only trailers attached to their bikes. They plan to camp in many state and national parks and document their journey on video cameras.
Vika Films, based out of Duluth, plans to turn the footage into a feature documentary. However, Chase and McNeal won't be followed by a film crew.
“We thought it would be more personal if we did (filming) all ourselves,” McNeal said. “We wanted to learn how to do this right and make an impact. We would love to do this for a living.”
The pair both work at a Duluth restaurant and studied at the University of Minnesota. Chase also just finished a work term with Conservation Corps Minnesota, while McNeal has developed an events program for Just Take Action Inc.
McNeal believes their active lifestyles will help them on their tour. Both have been training at the gym, while Chase is also an avid climber.
When asked how customs will react when they pull up at the border on bikes, McNeal said they haven't given it much thought.
“I suppose we will look quite weird with all of our equipment and cameras,” he said.
The Big Water Bike tour will wrap up back in Duluth Aug. 5. The public is invited to follow their journey online. Visit bigwaterbike.com for a tracker map of their progress."
barbara.simpson@sunmedia.ca
This time, the 20-somethings from Minnesota wanted to do a “more professional” ride closer to home. They were in the midst of crossing three western U.S. states.
“As the days went on, we developed the idea and then one day we agreed on (the thought), 'Let's bike around Lake Superior, heck let's bike around all the Great Lakes,'” McNeal recalled.
Four years later, Chase, now 25, and McNeal, 26, will finally embark on their Great Lakes adventure. They will clock more than 8,500 kilometres on their bikes, starting in Duluth, MN. May 1. They will pass through several Quebec and Ontario cities, including Sarnia around May 22.
While Chase and McNeal will be away from family and work for three months, they have received nothing but support about their journey dubbed Big Water Bike.
“Our families are really excited for us,” McNeal said. “We are doing something that hasn't been done before and it is a huge life goal for both of us...”
The pair are forced to travel light with only trailers attached to their bikes. They plan to camp in many state and national parks and document their journey on video cameras.
Vika Films, based out of Duluth, plans to turn the footage into a feature documentary. However, Chase and McNeal won't be followed by a film crew.
“We thought it would be more personal if we did (filming) all ourselves,” McNeal said. “We wanted to learn how to do this right and make an impact. We would love to do this for a living.”
The pair both work at a Duluth restaurant and studied at the University of Minnesota. Chase also just finished a work term with Conservation Corps Minnesota, while McNeal has developed an events program for Just Take Action Inc.
McNeal believes their active lifestyles will help them on their tour. Both have been training at the gym, while Chase is also an avid climber.
When asked how customs will react when they pull up at the border on bikes, McNeal said they haven't given it much thought.
“I suppose we will look quite weird with all of our equipment and cameras,” he said.
The Big Water Bike tour will wrap up back in Duluth Aug. 5. The public is invited to follow their journey online. Visit bigwaterbike.com for a tracker map of their progress."
barbara.simpson@sunmedia.ca
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