Franklin County deputies got a call about a bicyclist. They found a man on a mission

A call about bicyclist led a Franklin County deputy to discover a man on a mission.

Krzysztof Chmielewski was peddling on North Glade Road near Eltopia West Road when someone called the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office about him.

The deputy who responded discovered Chmielewski, a Polish national, peddling along the road on a bike from New York pulling a trailer from New Hampshire.

“A year ago, I did exactly the same route by hitchiking,” Chmielewski said. “I’ve hitchhiked in more than 51 countries.”

He left from Canada sometime in October, according to his Facebook page and is on his way to the Argentina. His last documented stop was Sunday in Coulee City.

The deputy sat down with the world traveler for coffee at the Mr. Qwik’s Country store to learn more about his adventure.

Chmielewski said he had his bike stolen in New York and was robbed in an another state, but he has met generous people.

“It’s amazing when you stop and talk to people what you can learn about their story,” the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said on its Facebook.

Since sharing the experience, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received dozens of comments about Chmielewski and his stop.

Several people praised the deputy for stopping to talk to the man, including some who were wondering why people called police.

“They were afraid he was going to get hit by a vehicle,” the sheriff’s office responded. “Not much of a shoulder on Glade N.”

Several people shared spottings of the rider. Kari McKay said she bought him dinner in Coulee City and got him a hotel room for the night.

“I told him to skip Idaho and head south quickly to beat the winter that’s coming this week,” she posted on Facebook.

He took the advice, sharing on his Facebook page there is no way to ride on snow unless it’s 10 degrees.

Many others wished him well on his trip including the sheriff’s office.

“We wish him best of luck and safe travels,” he said.

This story was originally published November 28, 2017 at 12:59 PM with the headline "Franklin County deputies got a call about a bicyclist. They found a man on a mission."