Chips happen
My theme for this short bike trip was — Where do I come from? This is a photograph of one of my fun discoveries. "Chips happen!" This is one of the fundamental truths of life. I love this down-earth sense of humor us Wisconites have! No wonder they call us cheeseheads. Ha!

Wisconsin bicycle tour

And the Outdoor Wisconsin interview

This article is part of a series

Update: I wrote a story about what it is like to come home after traveling the world. Returning home as an essential part of travel. It embodies a lot of my hard-earned wisdom.

This summer I did a mini bicycle trip from coast to coast in Wisconsin, which means from the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan. Well, mini may not be accurate, but everything compared to going around the world seems mini.

With more than 15,000 lakes and about 56,884 miles of rivers, it’s an interesting fact that Wisconsin has more coastline than most states, including California and Florida, but not Alaska. Wisconsin also has the largest bicycle industry, the first rails-to-trails conservation project and some of the nicest bike trails in the world, and I mean that literally. And lo and behold, I discovered another interesting fact: apparently, according to this sign pictured below, Kermit the Frog is an indigenous species of Wisconsin. Wow!

Wisconsin bicycle trip map. The bike route stretching from Minneapolis, just over the Mississippi River, through La Crosse, Madison and to Milwaukee.
A map of my Wisconsin bicycle trip. It was easy, fun and full of great food. It took a few weeks and amounts to only a thumbprint on the world map of my world bike ride.

One of my motivations for doing this was wondering: How does riding a bicycle across Wisconsin compare to riding a bicycle around the world? Have my world travels spoiled my appreciation for the little things? I’m still thinking about this…

Kermit the Frog indigenous species of Wisconsin
Who knew that Kermit the Frog (Latin: Rana Kermit) is an indigenous species of Wisconsin? This photo and description of Kermit was taped onto a park sign.

Watch my fun, fast-motion video of the trip.

Outdoor Wisconsin

Before my bicycle trip across Wisconsin, I was doing a lot of day trips: Milwaukee, Door County, Madison, Sheboygan, Waukesha…

Watch my segment with Outdoor Wisconsin on Milwaukee Public Television. It begins at minute 9:00, and the crew did a great job filming, interviewing and editing. Thanks! I love the philosophical opening.

To obtain a few minutes of television for my interview, the crew filmed me riding around Kohler-Andrae State Park for 3 hours. I started to get tired as I was still wearing my winter coat, and was running low on blood sugar. (A “winter coat” is what us Wisconsinites call those 10-20 extra pounds we gain over the holidays.) Still, I think I had some interesting things to say.

Update: Unfortunately, this video is no longer available. It was really good. And a tribute to my home state. I’ll post the link here, hoping someday it returns.

https://youtu.be/BE525utQmus?t=540

Falling Uphill Anniversary Edition: One man's quest for happiness around the world on a bicycle. By Scott Stoll.

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You'll love Falling Uphill

Every chapter answers a question that people asked me while I traveled the world, but unlike this matter-of-fact article, Falling Uphill is told as it is happening. You’ll feel like you’re riding a bicycle right alongside me, and reliving all the literal ups and downs.
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Picture of Scott Stoll

Scott Stoll

My claim to fame is that I rode a bicycle around the world and wrote some books. More about me.

More stories about the bike trip

Cycling up the Worlds Steepest Hill

Did you break a world record?

Many years later, this question is still one of the most common questions about my journey around the world on a bicycle. Did you break a world record? The short answer is yes and no. In this article, I'll explain the rules for circumnavigating the globe according to Guinness World Records, and, more importantly, how we are all setting our own personal records every day.
Scott's bike with colorful panniers leaning against a yellow fence in a snowy field.

Weather & Climate: The Second Most Important Factor While Traveling

How do you plan for something as unpredictable as the weather when traveling? Weather planning advice, tips and tricks.
A DVD of the Bollywood movie “Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne."

My Bollywood debut as a backup dancer

My debut video as a backup dancer in a Bollywood blockbuster movie. This is the catchy song "Mohabbat Hai Mirchi" from the movie "Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne."