It isn't every day you see a peloton of touring cyclists tow a canoe down the Mississippi River Trail (Hwy 61). After passing by, so I could shoot some photos Amy & Dave Freeman and crew stopped and explained briefly their journey to Washington D.C. with the canoe.

Cyclists tow canoe to Washington D.C. to save the Boundary Waters

by Russ Lowthian

It isn’t every day you see a peloton of touring cyclists tow a canoe down the Mississippi River Trail (Hwy 61). With an exceptional tailwind out of the northwest this last Friday, five bicyclists made good time pedaling south. I caught them a few miles out of Red Wing, MN, along the Great River Road. Once they went by, my & Dave Freeman and crew stopped to explain briefly their journey to Washington D.C.

Here Amy & Dave Freeman stop and show all the people who have already signed the canoe, petitioning to save the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Here Amy & Dave Freeman stop and show me all the people who have already signed the canoe, petitioning to save the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. 

 

Cyclists tow a canoe on a pedaling book tour

It turns out this is a pedaling book tour to save the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), with their book “A Year in the Wilderness.” Checking out their website, Amy & Dave have been working on this campaign to save the Boundary Waters for years. Now, with added support they are embarking on the next leg of their journey in protecting the pristine wilderness area. Pedaling from Minnesota to Washington D.C. they will collect over 2,000 signatures on the the canoe they are pulling. A two month, two thousand-mile book tour by bike to save 1.1 million acres of wilderness.

Before the bike/book tour

First, they paddled and sailed the Boundary Waters for an entire year so they could broadcast its beauty to the world. Then they wrote the  book, “A Year in the Wilderness.” An illustrated account telling a deeper story of the value, beauty and fragility of this wild place.

It isn't every day you see a peloton of touring cyclists towing a canoe down the Mississippi River Trail (Hwy 61). Here Amy & Dave and crew enjoy a tailwind south of Red Wing, MN.

It isn’t every day you see a peloton of touring cyclists towing a canoe down the Mississippi River Trail (Hwy 61). Here Amy & Dave and crew enjoy a tailwind south of Red Wing, MN.

On this book/bike tour

On this adventure, Amy & Dave will stop at schools, community centers, libraries, bookstores, gear stores and breweries along the way. They will share their stories and images from the book. Along with a video from their time in the BWCA and the importance of this wilderness area. For those who have never heard of the Boundary Waters, here is a chance to experience it through Amy & Dave’s eyes. Those who have been there will see this wilderness area in a new light thanks to their efforts.

Be a part and follow Amy & Dave’s epic tour!

As they depart the Mississippi River Trail and head east, follow their blog and Facebook page. You can also support their Kickstarter Campaign at:  http://kck.st/2w5Zo5d  or #pedaltoDC#savetheBWCA #water