The Eastern Route of The Highground’s Heroes Ride Ready to Hit the Road on August 1st

Friday, July 11th, 2025 -- 1:00 PM

On Friday, August 1, bicyclists with the Eastern Route will pack their support vehicles and embark on a powerful, three-day ride for the 41st Annual Heroes Bike Tour. 

This longstanding event began in 1985 when Tom Miller cycled 1,244 miles, one for each Wisconsin service member lost in the Vietnam War, to raise awareness for Vietnam Veterans and generate support for what would become The Highground.

Over the decades, the Annual Bicycle Tour evolved into the deeply respected Heroes Ride.  For 40 of those years, Vietnam Marine Veteran Jim Braatz has been at the heart of the event as a coordinator and rider for the route. His son Curt, who started riding alongside his father at age 10, now co-leads what is proudly known as the Eastern Route.

Curt shares, “People tell me I’m crazy for riding 150+ miles on a bicycle. I tell them I can sacrifice my body and energy for three days in memory of those men and women that made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our everyday freedoms. I ride for my dad, and I hope to keep riding until I can’t anymore.”

Beginning in Appleton, the Eastern Route weaves through rural Wisconsin, passing through New London, Plover, Miladore and Marshfield. At dawn on Sunday, August 3, the riders will begin the final leg of their journey to arrive at The Highground between 10:30 and 11:30am.

There they will be welcomed by Vietnam Veterans and guests attending the 2025 Vietnam Veterans Reunion. This ride is far from a casual weekend outing.

Riders spend months training, preparing, and rallying support to tackle two to three days of physical challenges, blisters, sore muscles, sun and windburn, chafing, and unpredictable Wisconsin weather.

The welcome they receive at The Highground is powerful, the heartbeat behind a mission that has inspired healing and remembrance for over four decades.

Riders gather for the “Heroes Family” meal and a brief ceremony before heading home. It is, without question, one of the humblest yet meaningful events of the year.

The Heroes Ride is The Highground’s largest and longest-running fundraiser, generating over $74,700 in 2024. Proceeds from this incredible event fuel life-changing veteran programs and help The Highground with operating expenses.

The Highground proudly welcomes returning riders and eagerly invites new participants each year. There's still time to get involved, joining the Eastern Route empowers a legacy of honor, education and healing for veterans and their families. 

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.