• ONE DAY 160 mile bike ride from CHICAGO > MICHIGAN
• TO BENEFIT GREG MANS who has sustained a cervical spinal cord injury
• Sunday, June 20th

My first memory of Greg is of him and his twin brother Jeff hanging from the basketball hoop in the gym/cafeteria of our elementary school. They were funny and fearless. I was shy and they didn’t know me, a 4th grader, watching from the other side of the cafeteria. We have all come a long way since those days! Greg is now one of my closest friends and I am taking this fundraiser to heart.

If you are reading this, you probably know Greg and I don’t need to explain what a vibrant, energetic, positive, generous human being he is. But if you don’t know him, and you are reading this because someone forwarded it to you, let me tell you a little about Greg.

He is smart, he is handy, he is kind and compassionate.

He puts others before himself and will gladly lend a hand to any stranger in need. The kind of person who makes you feel a little bit lighter and a lot more blessed to call him a friend.

He is a Fisherman, a Lover of Life.

He gets up early most mornings to swim or bike and stretch.

He spends a lot of time alone on the ocean, sustainably fishing salmon in Alaska.

He is honest. He is trustworthy.

He lives frugally and humbly. Everything Greg says, does or writes is done with Love to build up the person he is talking to, which instills confidence and inspires.

One of the sayings he often likes to sign off with is : “GO FOR IT!!”

So, G, I’m going for it.

My hope is to watch the Sun Rise from Navy Pier in Chicago and bike around the lake in time to catch the Sun Set in Saugatuck, Michigan. The summer solstice provides the best opportunity to complete this ride.

The pandemic has taught us that the world as we know it- our routines, our freedom, our plans can change in an instant.

Greg’s accident, the current loss of the use of his limbs, is even more poignant and impactful. He tells me to “Enjoy Life” and “Be grateful for being able to walk across the room and bend over and pick up a piece of paper.” We have so much to be grateful for! During the pandemic at least we could go for a walk outside. Now Greg is hoping to do just that. To be able to Walk again, to HUG again. To be able to care for himself Independently.

This is why I am reaching out to All of You. To consider a Pledge to my Summer Solstice Ride. Greg has always been a big supporter of my dreams and goals- including riding his rusty granny bicycle 20 miles each way from Trenton to Belle Isle to cheer me on in the 2019 Detroit marathon. That is the kind of friend Greg is... and that is the kind of friend I want to be for Greg.

So, if you own a bike…

Have ever ridden a bike…

Or are just grateful that you can ride a bike …

Please join me in helping to raise $20,000 to help with Greg’s medical care.

Equally as good…if you know anyone specializing in Spinal Cord Injuries I would appreciate any connections. Prayers, Positive Vibes and Words of Encouragement are always most welcomed!

We all want the BEST CARE and the BEST CHANCE for Complete Healing and Function for Greg!

*PS. If you know anyone who has a Big Heart and who might want to help our dear friend, Greg, please forward this or share the link via Facebook.

Thank you for your Time and Generosity.

With Love and Gratitude,

Tracy