Author: St. Joseph Mercy Health System

Ralph Dallier, Rob Casalou and Lee Benjamin enjoy a light moment. The jersey Rob is wearing that has a medal painted on the front, was designed by a wish child. It was an honor to wear it.

Day 1 Journal:

The day started early with Team Joe’s riders fed and ready to hit the road by 6:30am. Our actual departure time was 6:40am (waiting for a couple last minute stragglers) which set Rosalie Tocco-Bradley in motion because she wanted an “on-time start” (a hazard of her day job). But, with spirits high, the team set off from Traverse City.

Today was the day of hills and climbing. The total distance was about 99 miles our first day and it felt like 50 of them were on inclines varying from short bursts to long ones that burned the legs. A few were placed in cruel areas like the largest of the day at mile 90 – really? We all looked at it, said some things that Sister Yvonne would not approve, and dug in. The good news is that everyone survived, everyone was smiling and we were greeted at Ferris State by kids and families clapping us to the finish line. We then all headed to our respective hotels or tents because showers were wanted and NEEDED. Once again, the Make-A-Wish team provided everything we needed including a wonderful dinner. For the record, Ferris State has the BEST food.

As we wrap up day 1 most of us will be lights out very early to begin Day 2 even earlier. Tomorrow is our long day – 109 miles. The route has less hills so the challenge is distance. And our prize at the end of the day is the WHAMMY Awards after dinner in Dewitt where we celebrate the success of the event but, more importantly, we will be joined by many wish kids. In fact, we will be granting a wish at the WHAMMY’S this year – how special.

I am so blessed to be with some awesome Team Joe’s members along with 850 of our new friends all out here riding to grant wishes. I am proud and grateful of everyone on Team Joe’s. Have a good night all. More to come tomorrow.

Rob

Team is at lunch stop (at 10am no less). Rosalie Tocco-Bradley, her son Alex and Sheila Marcus (far left).

Bill Holmes and his sister Andy, who surprised Bill again this year by showing up at lunch.

Jodi Talbott, Nick Graham and Ralph Dallier.

Thankfully no one on Team Joe’s  has needed the services of our on course medics! Mile 78.  Getting there!

Bill Holmes (front) and Rob Casalou cruising a corn field (and there are a lot of them).

Team Joe’s hit the road at 6:40am. Spirits were high and Rosalie Tocco-Bradley was proud of an on-time start! Here are Dr. Lee Benjamin and Dr. David Steinberg grabbing a snack at the mile 25 break stop.

Team Joe’s members gathered early this morning at the MIS Speedway to
begin the the journey to Traverse City East Middle School that serves as
home base for the beginning of this year’s Wish-A-Mile (WAM) 3 day, 300
mile cycling tour. This year, we have 18 riders doing the 300 mile tour
and 2 doing the WAM 50 which takes place on Sunday. We have many new WAM riders this year and everyone is excited and nervous at the same time.
But, when we see why we are riding, for our wish kids, the emotions shift
to excitement and motivation.

We are riding to create wishes and Team Joe’s beat the goal of raising $50,000 that will support at least 6 wishes for Michigan kids in the coming year. Along with all the WAM riders, WAM will raise $2 million for wishes. This makes 300 miles seem like nothing.

After we arrived at the middle school, it was time to prepare the bikes
for the morning, get our bags and get organized. Some of our members
pitched tents at the middle school choosing to “rough it”. Some of us
reserved hotels and took a WAM shuttle to check in. Some of us stuck
around the school to participate in various orientation activities. I am
lucky that my daughter Julie is a WAM volunteer and I will see her
throughout the 3 days! Then, we all ate a high carb dinner and set off to
get some much needed rest.

We gather tomorrow morning for a 5:45am breakfast and a goal to hit the road by 6:30. Our first day is full of
hills and many think it is our hardest day of riding. Distance is 98.3 miles
the first day. Weather forecast looks excellent with the exception of a
strong crosswind that I hope becomes a tailwind on the second half of the
day.

Thanks to all who have supported Team Joe’s with donations to one of our riders or to the team. We will be carrying you in our thoughts along the
way.

Goodnight,
Rob

The WAM riders have set up camp at Travers City East Middle School. Team Joe’s feels better knowing there are board-certified bike doctors along the way!

Here is Rob Casalou and his daughter, Julie, who is a WAM volunteer.

Some Team Joe’s members, like Mike Prisby from system office, decided to pitch tents for the night rather than a hotel. Here is Mike trying to figure out his tent (stick to Finance Mike!) LOL

A glimpse at over 800 bikes ready to roll tomorrow morning!!