Biking the Mississippi

Minnesota man raising awareness for mental illness

Four weeks into a really, really long bike ride, Tom Mork is probably feeling a whole lot fitter than when he started. 

Mork is the Lakeville, Minn., banker who is riding the length of the Mississippi River to raise awareness and cash for mental health causes.

Mork says he’s been amazed at the connections that he’s made along the way and how willing people are to share their own stories about mental illness. 

He says that’s what the ride is all about, trying to remove the stigmas from mental illness, “so people aren’t afraid to get help when and if they need it.”

Mork, who stopped in La Crosse today, has about another week and a half until he finishes the ride at the headwaters of the Mississippi in Lake Itasca.

Originally, the so-called “Tom’s Big Ride” aimed at raising $100,000 for mental health causes. The ride has now pushed past that and is now hoping to raise $125,000.