Bicyclists, McNeal and Chase, wrap 5,300-mile Great Lakes tour

Right on schedule, a pair of bicyclists from Duluth are back home after a grand tour around the Great Lakes.

Kris McNeal and Zach Chase made it around the lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway in 97 days to be greeted Sunday afternoon by a few dozen well-wishers in downtown Duluth.

The 5,300-mile trip had its painful moments, including a fall by McNeal on the second day out. He also suffered frostbitten toes during a nine-day stretch through cold, stinging rain on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

But the two men tell the Duluth News Tribune (http://bit.ly/OKIwAy ) that the trip was more a mental challenge than physical.

They shot video of the entire trip and plan to produce a documentary they hope will inspire others.