MoDOT Cyclist Says People Were Highlight of 2,600-Mile Trek

The trip is over. He cycled nearly 2,600 hundred miles in 29 days with every mile logged under a punishing July sun.

But Kris Sandgren says the most memorable part of the trip was not the heat, but the people he encountered along the way.

“The highlight was defintely the people I ran into,” Sandgren said. “I had people put me up for the night several times. “

Sandgren said meeting these folks wasn’t a problem.

“When you’re wearing spandex shorts and a bike jersey, you stand out. It gets people asking questions.”

While the oppressive heat and humidty took its toll, Sandgren said the only trouble he ran into was a small pack of dogs chasing him down in Nebraska.

Sandgren’s favorite part of his trek? The end.

“I was totally surprised when I saw all the people in Jefferson City waiting to greet me,” he said. “There were probably 50 people and a television station. They even had my wife there to meet me. I got very emotional over it. I was glad to be home.”

Sandgren’s ride was all to help fund the Fallen Workers Memorial, a monument dedicated to the workers who have given their lives working on Missouri’s highways. Sandgren generated around $5,000 for the memorial.

A Windy Week

MoDOT employee Kris Sandgren completed day 22 of his 2,600-mile ride from Anacortes, WA to Jefferson City, MO, in honor of MoDOT's fallen workers. Learn more about what inspired his ride, and check back here for more updates as he heads south for the rest of his trip.

Day 21 -- Monday, July 12

Kris keeps traveling east across southern South Dakota and hits Sioux City, IA, just after noon. He's riding in light rain. He skirts Sioux City, pedaling in fast traffic across a bridge over the Missouri River as close to the outer railing as he could. He puts his head down and pushes hard. "I didn't look back," he said.

He continues south on U.S. 75 along the west side of the river. He encounters hills north of Tekamah, NE, and is chased by dogs -- three of them -- for the first time on the ride. He grabs his canine repellent. "I just gave the lead dog a shot and the other two quit on their own." He has dinner at a Subway in Tekamah and checks into a local motel, small but clean. "I seem to be wearing down on the camping thing." Besides it looks like rain again and he doesn't want to be outdoors.

Day 22 -- Tuesday, July 13

Before leaving Tekamah, NE, Kris visits with the editor of the Burt County Plaindealer. Kris hits the road mid-morning and encounters strong head winds as he approaches Omaha, NE. "The wind is tormenting me. It blessed me across Montana. Now it's cursing me." He plans to spend the night with friends in Omaha.

Watch for more details as Kris completes the last days of his journey.
If you would like to make a donation or pledge by the mile in support of his ride:


Make check payable to:
State Highway & Transportation Employees
Association of Missouri
Mail to:
Fallen Workers' Memorial
c/o District 7 Highway Credit Union
3901 E. 32nd St., Suite A
Joplin, MO 64804
Attention: Dave B. Taylor

Kris Sandgren's Ride, Day 15

MoDOT employee Kris Sandgren completed day 15 of his 2,600-mile ride from Anacortes, WA to Jefferson City, MO, in honor of MoDOT's fallen workers. Learn more about what inspired his ride, and check back here for more updates as he heads south for the rest of his trip.

After leaving Ray this morning in northwestern North Dakota, Kris pedals south to New Town, ND, where he visits with the weekly New Town News on Main Street across from the Jack and Jill market. His progress slows a bit.

"I'm in really hilly country now," said Sandgren.

It's a rolling, grass-covered landscape. He notices an increase in big-truck traffic related to an oil drilling boom in the region. He catches sight of the Missouri River. Late afternoon, he's fatigued and chilly on an overcast day and decides to hitch a ride. "I cheated. ... I just put my thumb out when I saw a pickup truck coming." The truck stops. An oil field construction inspector from Wyoming gives Kris and his bicycle a lift about 30 miles to Garrison, ND. Kris then pedals 12 miles to the Totten Trail campground east of Garrison. He pitches his tent and turns in. He looks forward to an "easy" 67-mile push further south to Bismarck, ND, on Wednesday, July 7.

If you would like to make a donation or pledge by the mile in support of his ride:

Make check payable to:

State Highway & Transportation Employees
Association of Missouri

Mail to:

Fallen Workers' Memorial
c/o District 7 Highway Credit Union
3901 E. 32nd St., Suite A
Joplin, MO 64804
Attention: Dave B. Taylor