The route goes from the middle school right down to the Will B. Biking statue, the "ceremonial" start of the ride at 8 a.m.
Then right across the street from the statue, a pancake breakfast has been organized at the Port Byron fire station.The inaugural "Will B. Rolling to Ben Bikin'" bicycle tour is October 3-9, 2015. The tour covers portions of Northwestern Illinois and Southwestern Wisconsin and the Sparta's Fallfest is in full swing to offer riders festivities at the conclusion of the tour. Director of Wisconsin Tourism David Spiegelberg and Sparta Chamber of Commerce Director Tim Hyma plan to be at the start in Port Byron on Sunday. for more information, visit www.willtoben.com
In 1995, Sparta designed and manufactured a large fiberglass "man" dressed in Sparta colors (red and gold), sitting on a penny-farthing bicycle and was named "Ben Bikin." Former Port Byron Mayor Larry Bay was impressed with the statue and commissioned a replica to be called Will B. Rolling for his town. Bay then gifted the statue to the village in 2013.
Itinerary
Savanna - Main lodging site: First United Methodist Church, 2100 Chicago Ave.
Platteville - Main lodging site: Platteville School District Professional Learning Center, 155 W. Lewis St.
Richland Center - Main lodging site: UW Richland Center Roadrunner Gymnasium, 1200 US Hwy. 14
Reedsburg - Main lodging site: Lions-Jaycees Building, 1403 Viking Dr.
Elroy - Main lodging site: United Methodist Church, 125 Royall Ave.
Sparta - Main lodging site: Sparta Barney Family Community Center, 1000 E. Montgomery St.
Contact: Rob Layton, Director, Bicycle Illinois, 312-342-5514 cell
