Make-A-Wish Complete!

Rock on Noa!

Mission Accomplished!  Team Hot Dog has successfully completed the 300 mile bike ride from Traverse City, MI all the way to Michigan International Speedway all for the Michigan chapter of the Make-A-Wish foundation.  I will speak for my THD brethren and tell you it was both an honor and a pleasure.

We had a lot of fun meeting all kinds of bikers and MAW supporters, riding our bikes a ton, as well as indulging in a few post ride beers, telling jokes, and being the goofy guys we are when we travel.  But the one thing that trumped all of that was that this was for the kids.  Kids that are battling something that they need help with.  And may never be able to live or enjoy their lives the way that we take for granted each and every day.  Our five man crew had a goal of raising $5,000 for Noa.  Noa is a 15 year old girl suffering from Biliary Artesia and is awaiting a liver transplant.  Her wish was granted, and she got to go surfing in Hawaii… but her battle continues on a daily basis.  God give her the strength to overcome and beat this thing down.  Least Team Hot Dog could do was to suffer some out on the country roads of rural Michigan raising some awareness and funds for these extraordinary kids.

Our team has raised $6,467, easily surpassing our fundraising goals.  We cannot express our thanks and gratitude enough to all of you!  Whether you donated money, came out to our fund raising event at Dave & Buster’s in Livonia, spent time out on the roads training with us, offered up your cabin and fed us for a night during the WAM, or gave us words of encouragement on Facebook… we greatly appreciated it and love you all!  It truly was a group effort and wouldn’t have been done without your help.

The 3 day 300 mile trek was something.  I think each of us on the team had blast.  The riding was tough at times.  There were some big climbs.  Some of us snored in hotel rooms.  We dealt with cold mornings, hot afternoons, flat tires, moments of strong wind, threats of rain, obnoxious people with no respect for cyclists on the side of empty roads, medical situations as well as the challenge of sticking in packs of riders that may be going faster than you would have liked at times.  It was difficult.  All you had to do was look down at your wrist, and stare at that orange bracelet with Noa’s name stitched in MAW blue. That’s all it took to suck it up, and keep going.

I will never forget the tears of pride streaming down my cheeks, hidden behind my Oakleys, as our five man team known as Team Hot Dog rolled out onto Michigan International Speedway’s finish line to cap off our support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Noa.

It’s a pretty powerful experience.  Sometimes when you are down, and you feel lost yourself, the best way to pick yourself back up is to help someone else and forget about your issues.

Thank you everyone.  Donators.  Supporters.  Volunteers.  Medical Personnel.  Policemen.  Friends.  Family.  Fellow riders.  Coach.  Jrad (special thank you to him for pulling me all over Michigan).  Rob.  Kevin.  STown.  The Make-A-Wish Michigan Organization.

We rocked it.

Team Hot Dog will be back.

-hd himself