Doing The Hard Things – June 2025
What’s inside: Breaking Records – Staying Focused: An update from ToddStrengthening Family Through Adventure TeamDetermination Driving Force Behind New Adventure Teams906AT Heads to Bay Cliff Health CampMade U.P. PodcastsMarquette Trail Running Series TransitionMarji Camp Kicks Off ThursdayJumping into the Outdoors: ConnectionSummer events with 906AT Breaking Records – Staying Focused In May, our Adventure Teams registered 1,175 youth for Adventure Bike Club this summer. That is a record. Since January, we recruited and trained more than 560 volunteers. Also, a record. Why am I sharing the numbers? It’s not to celebrate. And it’s not to gloat. It’s to remind us, and you, why we’re here. When I started the 906 Adventure Team eleven years ago, sitting at my kitchen table, it wasn’t to run epic events. That came later. In the beginning, it was about creating something special in our community, specifically for kids. We cannot ever forget that… We are here for the kids. How do we show it? By showing up… because we have 1,175 reasons to do it, and 560 volunteers who care, not for what they have to gain, but for what they can share. That friends, is the essence of “Doing The Hard Things.” Enjoy all of the stories Elizabeth and the team put together for this month’s newsletter. Todd Poquette ADVENTURE TEAM INFO Adventure Team became a steadying force For Liz Kyer and her three kids, Adventure Team has meant so much more than riding bikes, it’s meant stability, adventure, and a place to grow – together. Liz’s kids are heading into their 4th year with Adventure Team Lansing – ages 15, 12 and 9 – they began the same year their family began working through the divorce process. Liz says bike club nights became a steadying force. The clear expectations of the program combined with the opportunity to do something together – yet separately – gave the family a place to connect and work through challenges. She says the “Power of Yet” has become a huge part of her family dynamic – and Adventure Team gave them all a first hand experience of “maybe I can’t do something right now, but eventually I will.” From handling conflict to building resiliency and forming friendships – the experiences of bike club spread into their lives. She says they’ve learned things will be okay, even when it’s hard (and even when you don’t like it) – and that they can tackle challenges and come out the other side with new skills. And perhaps most impactful – that sometimes you just have to slow down, give people space and be patient when coming together to solve a problem. The impact hasn’t just been with her kids. Liz started coaching the second year they were involved. And she says the impacts have seeped into everything she does. “It’s allowed me to do things I never thought I would. I never had mountain biking on my radar.” Liz is enjoying the ride, carrying with her the motto, “let’s try this, even if it’s uncomfortable.” The family of four now rides together outside of bike club. They don’t compete, they don’t go fast. They’re in it for the time together and to get outside into the woods. She says that’s what she wants other families just getting into the program or considering it for their kids to know – that it’s not about being in a certain group, perfecting a skill, or having the best equipment – it’s about being present, noticing things around you and encouraging one another – and of course hanging out in the woods.By Elizabeth Peterson “We need this in our town” This year marks the start of two new Adventure Teams in Michigan, groups are kicking off new programs in Kalamazoo and Ludington. For those who’ve started an Adventure Team, you know the feeling of excitement leading up to that first day and the hard work that happens long before the first ride. We wanted to learn a bit more about the inspiration behind these two teams and how these teams came together. We start in Kalamazoo: The story behind Adventure Team Kalamazoo begins in 2020 when Nick Travis decided to do the Crusher EX. It was his first 906AT event and he was thrilled that despite all the canceled events COVID caused that year, there was an option to hit the trails. Getting checked in for the race he noticed a couple of guys wearing Barry-Roubaix shirts – he chatted with them and learned they were all from the same area, Kalamazoo. One of those guys was Travis Hutchens. A friendship was created through a shared interest in adventure biking. They began biking together, getting their families together. They continued to participate in events, learning more about the organization behind The Crusher, Marji and Polar Roll – 906 Adventure Team. Travis recalls it all just came together and fit. As a teacher he remembers thinking, “we need this in our town. Kids are seeking this – they just don’t know what they’re looking for.” Nick and Travis, along with Steve Anschuetz and Josh Torrans have all been instrumental in getting this summer’s program started. Nick says they made it happen by keeping focused on the goal and keeping things light and fun. He says there is an undercurrent of people in Kalamazoo who want an Adventure Team to happen because they believe in the mission and the positive impact on today’s kids. There’s momentum in Kalamazoo. Nick believes in his community and sees an opportunity to grow not just the infrastructure but the biking community – to grow what’s already there from trail access to businesses – one step at a time. For now – he’s anxiously waiting for the first night of Adventure Team – seeing basecamp set up for the first time – volunteers in place – the flags and canopies – and that moment when he can exhale and say, “Damn, we did it.” “Kids need this program” Now to Ludington: