All 50 state capitals in the US are on Bob Barnes’ bicycle route. On May 20, 2022, he arrived in St. Paul, Minnesota, his 42nd capital.
NEW Fox News articles can now be heard on audio! As he nears the end of his nearly one-year cross-country adventure, Bob Barnes, the guy who is cycling to all 50 U.S. state capitals, reached capital number 42 of St. Paul.
While he encountered some unfavorable exchanges with residents, Barnes, 52, of Syracuse, New York, told Fox News Digital that the trip took a positive turn in the suburbs of the Minnesota city.
Barnes, who arrived in St. Paul on May 20, said, “There are some communities in Minnesota where people are tight-lipped.
There are some places “where they’re a touch judgmental,” he remarked, mentioning St. Paul in particular.
Barnes remarked, “I don’t want to criticize anyone else because I had excellent treatment from many others. Therefore, I claim that it is inconsistent.”
The topography is the one constant in Minnesota, he said. Traveling here has been really simple.
In one year, 52-year-old Syracuse resident Bob Barnes has cycled to each of the state capitals. Here is a picture he took when reaching capital 42 on his journey to St. Paul, Minnesota. Robert Barnes
Barnes said he was disappointed by St. Paul (pictured here) because of some negative interactions he had though the trip took a turn when he was met with “a whole different vibe.” (Bob Barnes) ” I was disappointed in Saint Paul,” Barnes later added. At a laundromat where he was washing and drying his clothes and shoes, a woman approached him and “demanded that I put my shoes on,” Barnes said. Barnes responded that he would, but also joked about how wet they were. She didnt respond well to that either, he said.
“The terrain is the only constant in Minnesota. Traveling here has been really simple.”
about Minnesota, Bob Barnes Barnes remarked, “It was just a straightforward exchange, but they are the things I base all my views on.
Barnes said he faced negativity from some people in St. Paul. “Thats what I saw thats what I experienced. And I feel as though I gave it plenty of opportunities for somebody to step up.” (Bob Barnes) 
Bob Barnes took this picture of his bike and equipment in front of the Minnesota state capitol in St. Paul. Robert Barnes
QUICK MILES Barnes claimed that roughly 30 miles outside of the city, once he departed St. Paul, everything changed for him.
“Here I am, hunched over. I’m feeling down, “He said, expressing how he was feeling at the time.
“And now, with a completely new attitude, people are starting to approach me, all chatty and curious. It was very strange.”
Barnes claimed that he hooked up with a bunch of really polite riders who inquired about his journey while he was about 30 miles outside of St. Paul. Robert Barnes
“The state with the simplest geography is Minnesota. We simply continued on “said Barnes. The image shows one of Minnesota’s many biking trails. Robert Barnes
Barnes continued, “The people up there were actually more curious than anywhere else.”
“There were a lot of bikes, and when they all pulled up behind me, they all yelled, “Oh, where are you going, what are you doing?” I would then stop and converse, which helped me get back in a good attitude.”
Along the way, Barnes ran into one of his Facebook fans; they rode together for a while, which, according to Barnes, helped the time fly by.
“They’re easy miles when you’re with someone,” Barnes remarked. “It is simple to cycle. You aren’t aware that you are pedaling. You’re just talking well and having a discussion.”
A VERY IMPORTANT STEP FOR THIS CYCLIST Barnes accomplished another significant feat while in Minnesota by making one final crossing of the Mississippi River.
In the end, Barnes made nine trips across the Mississippi River throughout his journey, which started on August 1st, 2021, a year ago.
Barnes made his ninth and last crossing of the Mississippi River on his journey while in Minnesota. Robert Barnes
“To cross the Mississippi River nine times on nine different bridges on one trip is fun,” Barnes said of the crossing. He took this photo of the Mississippi River during his trip. (Bob Barnes) “Its actually pretty cool,” Barnes said. “To cross the Mississippi River nine times on nine different bridges on one trip is fun.” STAYING IN A CASINO During one of his last nights in Minnesota, a follower of Barnes gifted him a room stay at a casino resort. The follower works as a security guard at the casino and offered Barnes a $25 voucher for dinner along with his room. “The casino that was terrific,” Barnes said. “Thats kind of like what I needed.”
Bob Barnes spent one of his final nights in Minnesota at a casino resort thanks to a Facebook fan who also sent him a lunch coupon. Robert Barnes
0 Barnes played a joker poker machine at the bar as well, winning $6 in addition to the $5 in casino credit. Barnes received his winnings and paid out the $11. Robert Barnes
The only item I risked on was a $5 gift card that I converted to a $11 bill and subsequently spent.
Added he, “I don’t, though. If I gamble, I feel too bad.”
Barnes claimed that interacting with others was what he valued most about the casino.
Following: SOUTH DAKOTA In May, Barnes spoke with Fox News Digital about Minnesota and had still traveled around 3,100 miles. “There is a countdown. It’s excellent, “said Barnes. “It feels so fantastic right now,”
On May 24, Barnes departed from Minnesota and continued toward capital number 43: Pierre, South Dakota.
Following his tour of the Lower 48 states, Barnes boarded a ship from Canada to Juneau, Alaska, where he rode his bicycle to the capital as he had previously stated he would.
He then rode his bike from the airport to the capitol building before flying to Hawaii with it.
In this special Lifestyle series, Fox News Digital has been chronicling Barnes’ journey across America and tracking it.
to review or retake pleasure in! Before the one mentioned here, he made three other voyages. Continue reading below:
Fox News Digital’s Ann W. Schmidt is a lifestyle reporter and editor.
