Category: Make-A-Wish

I couldn’t post from the road on day 2 because my phone did not get service in Dewitt, MI!  I’m guessing AT&T doesn’t run the ads “More bars in more places” in Dewitt, MI! Anyway, our day 2 was an awesome 112 miles! We were scheduled to do more than the 100 so that the third day could be just 88 miles and we could all finish early for the reception event in Chelsea.  Our day 2 was highlighted by the grueling distance, thundershowers with hail for about two hours, and then a slightly breezy, partly sunny, mid 70’s beautiful Michigan day!

Day 3 was tough. Everything hurt. We got up at 4:45 AM to catch the shuttle from our hotel back to the bikes, then a quick breakfast, filled up the tires and water bottles, and were clipped in to our pedals before 6:30. It was dark, cloudy, and drizzling at the start, but not for long. It turned into two or three hours of a cold, drenching rain in the morning, making the road a bit hazardous. We were not part of the many slips and falls of the morning. We got through okay. Then the day broke out into another partly sunny but majorly windy day, I’d guess about 15 to 20 MPH winds from the way the flags were blowing. It was coming out of the west, so it was mainly a crosswind for most of our north-to-south ride, with occasional turns into the wind which would slow us way down to about 12 MPH, and occasional joyful bits with the wind at our backs. The last thirty miles were pretty hilly, but by then we were energized for the impending finish.

We were greeted by our “Wish Child” and his family. Make-A-Wish hooks us up with a specific child that we ride for. Michael C had leukemia and got his wish to go to Disney World two years ago. He is in a remission now and feels well. Seeing the kids takes all our own pain away, and makes it all worthwhile!

I am grateful for my health and vigor. I am EVER so grateful for the opportunity to do the ride this year with my son, Kevin! He is a joy to be with, and I couldn’t be prouder! I want to express a special gratitude for the dear family and friends that supported my ride this year! Thank you! With your help, Make-A-Wish will be able to provide 250 more wishes this year! That’s what it was all about!

Here is a part of our team. We are all ready to do it again next year!

We did it! 100 miles through morning fog, then glorious weather for 80 miles, then a cold wind and rain for 15 miles. We loved it all! We have a nice group this year, nine of us in all. Our team name is Carbon and Tux. We all wore our tuxedo jerseys on the first day, which are always a big hit. The people are great, the other riders, volunteers, and Make-A-Wish staff.

So right now I am majorly sore, after spending 7.5 hours on a bike in really hilly terrain. It’s not what you think. It’s my neck, shoulders and legs that hurt the most!

And tomorrow we’ll do it again. And then again the following day. It’s exhausting and great fun at the same time. And the real beneficiaries are the Make-A-Wish kids. The moneys donated will pay for many wishes!

Here’s our team at the end of the day:

We are on our way!
812 riders will be doing the 300 miles this year. We loaded our bikes onto 6 semi trucks, and the riders onto 10 buses. We arrived in Traverse City and are unloading bikes, etc.

We’ll take off tomorrow at 6 AM, and bike 100 miles to Big Rapids, MI.

I’m very excited! My son, Kevin, is joining us this year. More later.