Edmunds County Tribune -

A Florida man drove through Edmunds County last week riding on a bicycle trip across the United States.

Jeff Peterson, a Bristol native, began his trip near Seattle, Wash. on June 13. His trip, Sea2Key 2021, will cross the country ending at Key West, Florida.

Day 24 of the trip began in Mandan, N.D. on July 6. He arrived in Herreid, a 101 mile day, about 7 p.m.

Then he headed to Highway 12. Peterson's tour was designed for him to stop in Bristol, where he planned to enjoy the Bristol All-School Reunion.

In his blog, Peterson said he loves riding through South Dakota. "I know the roads and, more importantly, the people," he wrote. He met fellow Northern State grads along the way.

July 7, Peterson rode 76 miles from Herreid to Ipswich. The towns were spaced perfectly he said - Selby to Bowdle to Roscoe to Ipswich.

After he made his stop in Ipswich Peterson backtracked to Roscoe to stay with friends Cliff and Brenda Anderson. He and Cliff attended Bristol High School at the same time. Peterson enjoyed his tour of Roscoe. He mentioned seeing the smallest library and the sand greens at the golf course in this blog.

He returned to Ipswich Thursday to begin the day, biking out at 8 a.m. in light rain and 60° temperatures headed for Aberdeen and then Bristol.

Peterson was welcomed with cheering friends at several spots during the day. He wrote in his blog about a cheering Molly Gunderson, a Bristol native, nine miles before Aberdeen. Then at the east end of Aberdeen he had another cheering section - his niece. He was joined by his brother for the last section of the ride to Bristol.

"When our convoy got to Bristol," he wrote, "I was amazed and in awe of what awaited us...about 75 people lining Main Street cheering and waving."

Peterson had the weekend to enjoy time with family, including his parents, and friends at the reunion.

He estimates the 5,000 mile ride will take about 10 weeks. (Bristol was mile 1,742.)

The Sea2Key 2021 ride is a fundraiser for three charities - Sun Dial Manor in Bristol, K'9s for Warriors and the Down Syndrome Program at Boston Children's Hospital. You can help with donations. See his website for more information: at-pete.com.

Peterson has previously made hikes to raise funds. He hiked the Appalachian Trail and in 2019 he hiked through Spain and Portugal.