Recently, Kirk Gillock rode his bicycle through Monte Vista while on a 4,250 mile solo cycling tour around America in the shape of a large heart. This is the first time anyone has ever done a tour like this.

MONTE VISTA— Recently, Kirk Gillock rode his bicycle through Monte Vista while on a 4,250 mile solo cycling tour around America in the shape of a large heart. This is the first time anyone has ever done a tour like this.
The purpose of Gillock’s “Heart for America” campaign is to help heal some of the division our country has right now. He believes that it takes both sides, the left and right, to be a stronger country and, just like riding a bicycle, we need balance to keep moving forward. “If we lean too far left or too far right, we will fall and we will fail.” Said Gillock. That is why he has his bicycle decorated red on one side (Republicans) and blue on the other side (Democrats). To symbolize the balance the country needs right now. Gillock is proudly apolitical.
After spending most of his life in Texas, Kirk Gillock decided to volunteer in southeast Asia for a few months but ended up staying 14 years. While there he founded a charity and opened a school to help improve the quality of education, road safety, and the environment.
After returning to the USA last year, he saw how divided his own country was and decided to do something to not only reconnect with America but to help unite his fellow Americans. Gillock wants “us to remember that we all love America, no matter what our political beliefs and that if we can work together we will all be happier and better off.”

About the tour
Gillock left Austin, Texas on Aug. 2, 2018 and began cycling northwest along the heart shape route he created. The route includes every type of paved and unpaved road you can imagine. So far he has cycled through west Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, South
Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Arkansas (where he is now). He has been sleeping in a tent and also motels, whenever possible. He plans to return to Austin, Texas on Oct. 25, after cycling a total of 4,250 miles and 13 states.
Along the way he has met many friendly people and he has given them all American heart stickers. Everyone he meets loves the message he is promoting.
Kirk has suffered extreme heat exhaustion, cycled over a 10,100 foot mountain pass, he has almost been hit by cars (and horses), and he has not accepted any sponsors or donations. It is a self-funded campaign using what little money he has. His entire journey has been documented in photos and videos.