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Team WBR Michigan

Power of Bicycles

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Help change lives through The Power of Bicycles

We believe in the Power of Bicycles and their ability to change the world. Please consider supporting our personal fundraising efforts to help mobilize individuals in rural developing countries. Just $165 puts a brand new bike in the field and forever changes the trajectory of an individual's life.  We at WBR Michigan have 2 goals:

1. Raise awareness for this great cause

2. Connect donors to World Bicycle Relief so that together we can make a difference

Spread the word by sharing this page with others who may want to donate to help individuals challenged by distance. 

Team WBR Michigan thanks you for your support!

Chris Carter

Jeff Darter

Rusty Darter

Eric Hune

Justin Jewell

Rachael King

Julie Ondersma

Mark Ondersma

Dave Tuit


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Reach My Goal

Raised

$44,637

My Goal

$50,000

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My Updates

Julie Ondersma Represents World Bicycle Relief at 'From The Ground Up' Project

Monday 22nd Apr
From The Ground Up started as a project intended to inspire cyclists of all ability levels to step outside of their comfort zones. Now in its 4th season, Professional cyclists Ryan Petry and Alexey Vermeulen have come to realize how important the power of community is when taking on monumental challenges. We are all capable of so much more than we know, but our true potential is only unlocked with the encouragement, support, and comradery of others.  Our overarching objective of this project is to help shorten the learning curve in cycling while helping guide riders who are new to the sport.
HERE IS A REPORT FROM JULIE ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE
Last week I had the privilege of participating in the From The Ground UP (FTGU) bike camp in Bentonville, AR. FTGU is a documentary series started by Alexey Vermeulen and Ryan Petry, intended to inspire cyclists of all ability levels to step outside of their comfort zones. The camp is one piece of the training program for 4 featured cyclists, relatively new to cycling, to finish the Steamboat Gravel 125-mile race in August. Anyone can apply to attend camp but only 15 lucky riders are selected.

Each morning of camp started out with a massive breakfast hosted in the Main House (a beautiful, large Air BnB) hosted by Chef Biju Thomas - https://www.chefbiju.com. After breakfast, Rich Drew, founder of The Ride Series - https://therideseriesmtb.com, led us to downtown Bentonville and coached us on a series of skills training from breaking, cornering and navigating obstacles. We paused for a trailside lunch, also provided by Biju, and then split into beginner and technical groups to ride the rest of the day. These rides were mostly gravel but also included a good amount of single track to mix it up. Bentonville is known to be the biking mecca of the US and has everything a rider can ask for. Every participant at camp was pushed as hard as we wanted to be and encouraged the whole way.

In addition to Ryan and Alexey, we were surrounded by other biking legends including Brad Huff, Ernie Lechuga, Taylor Lideen, and film crew including Avery Stumm, Rob Barranco and Ian McGrew. It was probably best that I didn’t know any of their public reputations before I claimed them as friends because they all have quite the resume in the cycling and sports world! Apart from the main objective of learning new bike skills, it was quite an experience to be part of a documentary in action. The film and photo team were strategically placed everywhere to capture the story and experience of the featured riders for this season. Each of them, Rich, Kristen, Lou and Brandilee, have an encouraging story to tell and are ready to tackle one of the biggest challenges of their lives!

The highlights of the camp were certainly making a host of new friends who have a collective passion for riding bikes, coming home with a boat load of sweet swag, and more confidence while riding on 2 wheels. I’d return in a heartbeat next year if they let me and would encourage anyone to apply. More info and the full itinerary can be found at https://www.fromthegroundup.bike/2024-ftgu-camp-bentonville.

2024 Brings New Energy To The Same Mission

Thursday 18th Jan
Last year was an epic one for Team WBR Michigan.  We challenged our supporters to help us raise 25 bikes before 2024.  And our supporters stepped up big and helped us raise over 50 bikes on the year! We can't thank you all enough for supporting our cause to change lives through the POWER OF BICYCLES!

2024 is about one thing...helping WBR get to 1 million bikes distributed.  Since the inception of WBR over a decade ago, the organization has distributed close to 780,000 bikes empowering more than 3.8 million people.  Our team is excited to help WBR reach the goal of 1 million bikes distributed by the end of 2025.

2024 also brings an updated  Team WBR Michigan roster with some new faces as well as the usual suspects.

16 year old Rachael King will be the team's first Junior racer.  Rachael is a student at Hudsonville High School where she participates in Mountain Bike Club, Varsity Tennis, Science Olympiad, and Marching Band.  Her cycling accomplishments include: Coast to Coast 100 finish, age group podiums at Luton Park TT, Barry-Roubaix, and Uncle John’s. 
When asked why she chose to join WBR Rachael explained, "I chose to be a part of World Bicycle Relief because I want to ride for a deeper meaning. I have never been apart of a team, and I love what WBR is accomplishing. Not only is this an amazing team, it’s an amazing team that’s riding for a greater cause, and I cannot wait to be apart of it!"
Rachael's 2024 race calendar will include: Barry-Roubaix 36, Lowell Spring Classic, Luton Park TT, and Uncle John’s Dirty Ride. 

Another rider that did not recieve a proper introduction, as she joined the team mid year in 2023, is Julie Ondersma.  Julie is an accomplished bike racer who has a passion for the sport and the cause.  She has been an amazing addition to the team bringing lots of energy and enthusiasm.  You will often find her on the podium at both gravel and mountain bike races.  In 2023, she went 9 for 9...raced 9 times and podiumed every time including races like Iceman, Peak 2 Peak, Lord of the Springs, and many more.  Her 2024 race calendar includes 17 events highlighted by races such as Arcadia Grit and Gravel, Leadville Stage Race, and possibly the Big Sugar Race in Betonville, AR.

WELCOME TO TEAM WBR MICHIGAN!

Here is a full list of the 2024 TEAM WBR MICHIGAN roster:
Chris Carter
Jeff Darter
Rusty Darter
Eric Hune
Rachael King
Justin Jewell
Julie Ondersma
Mark Ondersma
Dave Tuit

25 before 24

Monday 27th Nov
As giving Tuesday approaches, we would like to invite you to support our 25 before 24 campaign.  Team WBR Michigan has set a goal to raise 25 bikes before Jan. 1st.  Scroll back up and hit that donate button to make an impact and change a life.  Remember, the Buffalo Bike is not a bike, it's a life changer!

New Year, New Teammates, and New Fundraising Platform

Wednesday 25th Jan
Happy 2023 to our World Bicycle Relief supporters.  We have some exciting news to share in this new year.  Team WBR Michigan is growing again.  We would like to welcome Justin Jewell to the team as well as share that Chris Carter has rejoined the team in 2023.  
"I joined WBR to ride for a mission bigger than myself. We need more goodness in this world. Team WBR Michigan creates positive impact, both intangible and tangible." -Justin Jewell
"I rejoined WBR to ride for right reasons. To put myself aside for the benefit of others. To rejoin a group of individuals with a similar purpose for riding their bikes and to whose values reflect my own." -Chris Carter

You might also notice that our URL has changed.  WBR has switched to a new fundraising platform that will allow us to have a larger reach.  All donations, announcements, and blog posts will be from this new page from now on.  

2023 is going to be a great year.  We have some ambitious goals as fundraisers and racers.  Stay tuned for plenty to come from Team WBR Michigan!

2023 TEAM ROSTER
-Chris Carter
-Jeff Darter
-Rusty Darter
-Dan Frayer
-Eric Hune
-Justin Jewell
-Jacob Marshall
-Mark Ondersma
-Dave Tuit

New Fundraising Page Alert!

Tuesday 24th Jan
For 2023, we would like to welcome you to Team WBR Michigan's new fundraising page.  World Bicycle has partnered with a new fundraising platform.  For our donors, nothing has really changed except our URL.  Blog updates and fundraising goals will be located here as well.  

Thank you to my supporters

$20.88

Susan Bigelow

$52.20

Katherine Graham

Rachael, Uncle Mike and I are so of you. I have said it before and I will say it again you are amazing. Love you sweet girl.

$50

Deb Pietrykowski

Looks like a great organization! This donation is in honor of my granddaughter who just joined WBR. Rachael King. Keep pedaling Rachael!! Love you!!

$104.40

Anonymous

Go Julie go!

$100

Anonymous

$500

Beer Laps

Merry Christmas ya filthy animals.

$515

Anonymous

$52.20

Donley Degroot

$344.52

Mark Sytsma

$165

Don Karsten

$172.26

Karl Sherrill

$172.26

Chuck Dokter

Happy Birthday Jeff!!

$172.26

Steve Mcgregor

$1.49k

Kelly Tuit

$172.26

Matt Graves

$200

John P Iacono

$165

Nick Tuit

$165

Dave Tuit

$165

Chris Carter

$165

Eric Hune

$172.26

Linda Darter

$515

Anonymous

$26.10

Kenzie Vanhoose

$104.40

Jay Morrison

Keep up the great work.

$52.20

Avery Zuck

$172.26

Emma Riza

$1.02k

Erik Olson

Go get ‘em!

$515

William Cole

Good Luck Dave and Team Michigan!!

$172.26

Cindy Rosema

$52.20

Kim And Dave Hune

Keep up the good work Eric and Team WBR!

$52.20

Dave And Kim Hune

Proud of you!

$104.40

Shelly Grooters

So proud of you Chris!

$172.26

Julie Ondersma

My 2023 race winnings = one bike!! Love riding for a purpose.

$104.40

Barb Vanhoose

Awesome program you all are riding for!

$52.20

Tommy Darter

In memory of Tommy Darter from his neighbors in Stations Edge Condominium Association.

$26.10

Wesley Morgan

$130

Tiffany Kreh

Dan is the man. With a plan.

$50

Kb

Thanks Dan, for fixing my bike!

$20

Kathleen Penny

Dan Frayer fixed my flat tire…great neighbor!

$40

Kathleen Penny

Our neighbor Dan Frayer was kind enough to tune up our bikes for the upcoming season.

$58.73

Eric Hune

Epic ride Chris!

$26.10

Rob Schafer

Way to get after it!

$26.10

Rob Peters

#RideOn

$140.94

Anonymous

Ready. Set. Roll, Nick!!!

$261

Warren

Go Nick!!!

$52.20

Pat D

Keep up the great work Chris!!

$52.20

Keith Hudson

$26.10

Carl Moline

Sounds like a great cause good luck

$40

Pernell Hess

$15.66

Zach And Katie Grooters

Keep it up Chris! Love to watch you go from not biking to biking way more and faster than I ever have or will! It’s inspiring!

$104.40

L’image Hair Salon

Good luck Chris we will be rooting for you! What an awesome program you are supporting!

$52.20

T&a Cycles

Good luck Chris!

$35.3k

Funds Raised Before 2023