Battle Creek man cycling 2,400 miles around Michigan to benefit nonprofit Chance For Life
MACKINAW CITY - A passion for cycling combined with a passion to help others has resulted in Tim Ward being on a bike every day for most of the last month as he has traversed nearly 2,400 miles of Michigan roads.
Ward, who grew up in Battle Creek and was a 1982 graduate of Lakeview High School, has been riding around the state since the beginning of July to raise money and awareness for Chance For Life, a nonprofit organization that works with prisons across Michigan to provide support services inside and outside of the system to aid inmates in their return to daily life.
Starting in Detroit on July 10, Ward has cycled counter-clockwise around Michigan, including crossing the Mackinac Bridge, and looping around the Upper Peninsula to the Porcupine Mountains and back.
On the day Ward took a moment to talk to the Enquirer, he was just crossing back across the Mackinac Bridge and starting his journey south on the west side of the state. He will finish on Thursday back in Detroit.
"I got into cycling seven years ago. Have a cycling coach, train seven days a week in season," said Ward, also a graduate of Albion College, who now lives in Birmingham and works in Lansing. "So I was enjoying my training rides a while ago and was wondering how I could take this passion for cycling to benefit others. And it seemed like a natural fit for Chance For Life because I knew what they were doing and their passion for their cause. I thought this ride would be a good way to spread their story."
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Riding Monday-Saturday over the past month, taking Sundays off, Ward has been relaying the word of Chance For Life and helping to raise funds for the cause as people can donate to the nonprofit by visiting chanceforlifeonline.org/donate.
"Recently, someone made the connection to me about the journey I am on currently on this ride and the journey the Chance For Life people go through and I agreed with them," Ward said. "The journey the Chance For Life people go through is a long one, one they have to be dedicated to. And I thought there was something to that symbolism in the dedication I need for something like this long journey I am on."
Ward bikes about 100 miles each day, joined by a support vehicle, riding through all types of weather, 'one day it was like two rides in one. We we riding in heavy rain and fog for about 60 miles. Took a break for some nutrition. Then the sun came out as we were entering the Porcupine Mountain, it was beautiful,' he said.
Nearing the end, Ward said he is looking forward to seeing his wife again, as she has only been able to visit once throughout the journey. But he isn't looking forward to getting off the bike.
"It will be bittersweet to see this end. It's been hard to be away from my wife, but it's been great to be able to ride every day," Ward said. "A lot of time, you only see this state as you drive 60 miles an hour in your car. By cycling around the state at the pace you are riding, you see so much more. It's a different experience. Really spectacular."
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Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter:@billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek man cycling 2,400 miles around Michigan to aid nonprofit
