Espenscheid Tour de Blackhawk Returns to Area

After a one-year hiatus, a popular Boy Scout event will once again bring hundreds of scouts and scouters to Stephenson County Illinois and Green County Wisconsin during the weekend of June 8 – 10, 2012. The Harry Espenscheid Tour de Blackhawk debuted in 2010 as a part of the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th Anniversary of scouting in America.

According to long-time scouter Dan Bestul, one of the event’s organizers, credit for bringing the event back is due in large part to the welcome mat rolled out by area communities, “This event requires logistical assistance from many communities and groups throughout the stateline area. When we planned the first event two years ago, every time we would reach out for assistance with the event, the responses were overwhelmingly positive and generous.”

The success of the first event, which brought over 300 scouts and scouters to the area inspired planners to schedule the event on a rotating basis with other major BSA events held throughout the Blackhawk Area Council.

Bestul noted that those participating in the event may begin riding in several different communities along the Jane Addams Trail in Illinois, as well as the Sugar River State Trail and Badger State Trail in Wisconsin with camping in Monticello on Friday and Saturday nights. Additionally, riders will have Saturday and Sunday breakfasts and Saturday evening’s meal provided by community groups in Monticello.

“This means that most area residents may not see a large contingency of riders at any given time,” explained Bestul. “We still believe it is important for area residents to know they are hosting these visitors because with rest stops in many area communities there could be additional traffic getting on and off the trails and attending community events and attractions.”

For more information on the Tour de Blackhawk or Boy Scouts, check out the Blackhawk Area Council’s website at: http://www.blackhawkscouting.org/ or call the council office at: .