The 2025 BikeWriTer tour will begin shortly. This year I’m wrapping the adventure around the 2026 Winter Olympics in an effort to raise interest and a little money for speed skater Jordan Stolz.
If you’re not familiar with Jordan yet… get on board because this kid is fire. At 21, he’s already earned the title “Fastest Man on Ice.”
I will be documenting my bicycle tour from Salt Lake City, Utah which will include touring the Olympic Training Rink, talking to some Olympians, and pedaling home. I’m calling it vacation and can’t wait for the adventure to begin.
The planning for this year’s tour has been extraordinary; the destination ties in perfectly with Stolz and his goal to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
Training….
At 61 years old I figured I needed to buckle down on training. In 2024 the tour from Wichita, Kansas to Wi was extraordinary. Totaled 969 miles in 16 days and met a ton of great people. This year, I understand there will be more challenging terrain, so I was determined to improve my strength and conditioning and in November 2024 chose A1 Health & Fitness to whip me into shape.
What a great fitness family. Everyone is encouraging and the coaches set the bar high. I may not be the strongest, but the coaches agree “Judy has a good engine.”
Jersey ….
A1 Health & Fitness was generous donating a pair of jerseys for the tour. Now, I just needed to find a sewing angel to help install pockets on the back. Jean from Cedar Community had ninja seamstress skills.
For the pockets we went with a light blue material dotted with cartoon bunnies – similar to a child’s blanket. Does it make sense? “It’ll keep people guessing,” said Jean.
Non-profit to help support Jordan…
The Dan Jansen Foundation has been a dream to work with. Jansen agreed to allow me to use his foundation to direct donations to Jordan. The Dan Jansen Foundation is an established 501c3; all donations are tax deductible. Jansen is forwarding 100% of the donations to Jordan – so make sure to note ‘Jordan Stolz’ when offering your support.
Another big thank you goes to photographer Noel Stave from Stave Studios, Inc. in Minnesota. I needed a high-resolution image of Jordan skating for the front of the fundraising postcard. Without hesitation Stave said ‘Yes.’
Hannah Stolz also chipped in with an image of her brother winning the Oscar Mathisen trophy in Hamar, Norway. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding speed skating performance of the season. This was the second year in a row Stolz won the award.
Also, a hat tip to Mark and the team at Pedal Moraine. The fellas helped get my bike ready for the tour and provided bike boxes for transport.
Finally, a little insight on Jordan. This young man is going to put Washington County, Wi on the map. He is focused on his training, and it’s interesting to think someone from Kewaskum can be going to the Olympics for speed skating when Kewaskum doesn’t even have an ice rink.
Jordan’s coach Bob Corby painted the picture of what’s happening 8 months ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Jordan currently has 12 workouts a week, about 25 to 30 hours. In one month, he only has one rest day. “And it’s getting harder,” said Corby. “People have no idea.”
Stolz was just named to the ISU Long Track National Team. The announcement for the Olympic team? Circle your calendar because the U.S. Olympic Trials are going to be at the Pettit Ice Center in Milwaukee, WI.
Stay tuned, the tour begins Wednesday, June 25, 2025.