He just concluded a stint teaching in Ukraine for the Peace Corps, he said. From the Tour de Kota, he plans to send back to Ukraine photos of South Dakota that also feature his bike, the frame of which he has decorated with the phrase "Not Bad," written in Cyrillic. "They'll get a kick out of that," he said of his students. But it probably won't improve their grasp of what Schlieper plans to be doing this week. "They absolutely can't figure it out," he said of bike touring. "It's a complete mystery to them. But they're fascinated by crazy Americans. "They'll be very supportive, though," he added.
Ukraine RPCV Jeff Schlieper came all the way from Vashon Island, Wash., to ride in his first Tour de Kota, although he has passed through South Dakota on numerous cross-country rides
Cyclists weather anxiety
Tour de Kota participants to brave uncertain elements today
June 7, 2009
HARRISBURG - I have been watching the weather like a farmer the past week.
I've been trying to will it drier, warmer, less windy and absent the excitement of hail and lightning.
As the Tour de Kota gets under way today, though, it appears riders will face a brisk morning at the very least on the opening leg from Harrisburg to Yankton.
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But the prospect was not having much of a depressing effect on the camp of bicyclists that gradually formed over the course of the late afternoon Saturday at Harrisburg High School.
[Excerpt]
Jeff Schlieper came all the way from Vashon Island, Wash., to ride in his first Tour de Kota, although he has passed through South Dakota on numerous cross-country rides.
"There is something special about the state of South Dakota. Wyoming and Montana are lovely. The people are very nice. But I have great memories about the people in this state," he said.
After he finishes this event, he plans to ride another tour in the Finger Lakes region of New York, then go into the city to meet some students from Ukraine and escort them to Seattle for a summer of study.
He just concluded a stint teaching in Ukraine for the Peace Corps, he said. From the Tour de Kota, he plans to send back to Ukraine photos of South Dakota that also feature his bike, the frame of which he has decorated with the phrase "Not Bad," written in Cyrillic.
"They'll get a kick out of that," he said of his students.
But it probably won't improve their grasp of what Schlieper plans to be doing this week. "They absolutely can't figure it out," he said of bike touring. "It's a complete mystery to them. But they're fascinated by crazy Americans.
"They'll be very supportive, though," he added.
Supportive in a way that would serve as a good motto for everyone trying to make it to Gettysburg by Friday.
"They'll say, 'I don't know what you're doing,' Schlieper reported. " 'But if you're having fun, keep doing it.' "
Peter Harriman is an Argus Leader reporter who has participated in every Tour de Kota.
