Supporting Partners
Adventure Team registration is open and the numbers are strong!
Over 1,040 kids signed up over the weekend for the 2025 Adventure Team season! A number of communities are sold out and others are close to filling up!
If you’re interested in joining this year registration will be open until Sunday, May 11 at 11:59 PM ET.
Here’s the latest numbers:
Adventure Team Delta County – SOLD OUT
Adventure Team Dickinson County – 17 spots left
Adventure Team Eau Claire County – SOLD OUT
Adventure Team Gogebic County – 18 spots left
Adventure Team Grand Rapids – SOLD OUT
Adventure Team Green Bay – 19 spots left
Adventure Team Iron County – 20 spots left
Adventure Team Kalamazoo Area – 23 spots left
Adventure Team La Crosse – SOLD OUT
Adventure Team Lansing Burchfield – SOLD OUT
Adventure Team Lansing East Gate – 10 spots left
Adventure Team Ludington – 26 spots left
Adventure Team Marquette – Monday – 1 spot left
Adventure Team Marquette – Thursday – 6 spot left
Adventure Team Midland – SOLD OUT
Adventure Team Marquette – Monday Running – 19 spots left
Adventure Team Marquette – Thursday Running – 12 spots left
If you’re interested in joining this year registration will be open until Sunday, May 11 at 11:59 PM ET.
Here’s the latest numbers:
Adventure Team Delta County – SOLD OUT
Adventure Team Dickinson County – 17 spots left
Adventure Team Eau Claire County – SOLD OUT
Adventure Team Gogebic County – 18 spots left
Adventure Team Grand Rapids – SOLD OUT
Adventure Team Green Bay – 19 spots left
Adventure Team Iron County – 20 spots left
Adventure Team Kalamazoo Area – 23 spots left
Adventure Team La Crosse – SOLD OUT
Adventure Team Lansing Burchfield – SOLD OUT
Adventure Team Lansing East Gate – 10 spots left
Adventure Team Ludington – 26 spots left
Adventure Team Marquette – Monday – 1 spot left
Adventure Team Marquette – Thursday – 6 spot left
Adventure Team Midland – SOLD OUT
Adventure Team Marquette – Monday Running – 19 spots left
Adventure Team Marquette – Thursday Running – 12 spots left
Marc’s making a list and checking it twice!
The behind-the-scenes of preparing for 15 Adventure Teams looked a little like a storage unit after moving day. Boxes, signage, garbage cans and bikes filled just about every available inch of Basecamp on Lakeshore Boulevard in Marquette.
On any given day for the past month you could find Marc Salm walking around with a clip board, checking, double checking and triple checking every community had the supplies they needed to successfully run their Adventure Team this summer. Nothing was left out. He meticulously counted every pen, zip tie and band-aid.
The end result? We’re ready! Every team has what they need. The boxes have been distributed and come next month every community will unpack, set up their own Basecamp and kick off an epic Adventure Team season!
On any given day for the past month you could find Marc Salm walking around with a clip board, checking, double checking and triple checking every community had the supplies they needed to successfully run their Adventure Team this summer. Nothing was left out. He meticulously counted every pen, zip tie and band-aid.
The end result? We’re ready! Every team has what they need. The boxes have been distributed and come next month every community will unpack, set up their own Basecamp and kick off an epic Adventure Team season!
“It’s a new adventure every year, there’s nothing routine about it.”
Jeff Barsch has been volunteering for the 906 Adventure Team in Marquette for the past eight years. He began as a coach when his son became involved in the program, and while his son has graduated – Jeff remains as a volunteer..
“I love biking, being outside. I see the value of the program,” says Barsch.
His passion for 906AT was solidified in 2020 when he watched Todd Poquette, Director of Adventure, push to keep the program alive despite state mandated orders and restrictions. Jeff says watching him put so much time and energy into making the programs and events work – meant he would follow suit and do his part by volunteering.
Jeff watched for years as his son developed his skills, learning the trails, challenging himself, getting to know other kids in the program – and now he’s dedicated to ensuring other kids have that same opportunity.
He says there’s something special about watching the wonder of kids as they explore new trails, of getting to know a new group of riders each season and watching them develop socially and on the bike.
It’s about preparing today’s youth for the challenges they’ll face in life. And it’s about giving back to kids, and to the community – plus, he admits it keeps him on the bike, active, connected and building new relationships every year.
For those on the fence, wondering if they should get involved with 906AT, he says, “Just do it!”
If you’re interested in being a part of the 906 Adventure Team, reach out to learn about volunteer opportunities and ways to make an impact!
By Elizabeth Peterson
T & A: “It’s the adventure of it all!”
It’s nearly impossible to say the names, Tammy Warner and Angie Palmer-Loiselle, in the cycling community without cracking a smile. The duo has been riding together for nearly 10 years – and while they’ve hit incredible cycling milestones and achievements together – they’ve also created an energy and air of positivity that might be more relished and cherished than any race finish.
They are T & A – they have their own logo, represented on jackets and stickers – they show up in pink – smiling and ready for just about any challenge. They’ve created a brand – a brand representing friendship, doing hard things, and having fun doing it.
T & A’s experience with 906 Adventure Team endurance races began in 2020 with the Crusher EX. At a time when everything was being canceled due to COVID – the Crusher EX gave riders a place to participate and keep moving forward.
They started the course that year with a team of 6 – they spent a night in an outhouse – and learned the term self supported truly meant no one was coming to rescue them. All six riders failed, they didn’t finish.
Tammy and Angie tried a second time that year – but again, didn’t finish. They were tested. They were challenged. They learned a lot about friendship. And they were hooked.
The pair came back in 2021 – with unfinished business. Riding 262 miles, finishing the Crusher MS250 in 35 ½ hours. Angie recalls the race with a smile, though she laughs at how angry she remembers being – feeling delirious, battling the heat, the bugs – at one point she remembers yelling at Tammy, “Just leave me, I don’t need you.” Tammy did no such thing, yelling back, “You don’t get to be mean to me.”
The heated exchange – emotions raw and real – fueled them to the finish. They both leaned into the mantra, “pedal, pedal, coast.” They both came out stronger.
Tammy says they’ve learned a lot about what it means to show up for each other. “We’re just there for each other, to pull each other through, to help whoever is suffering in the moment.”
They continue to ride the Crusher EX every year for the simple fact that as Tammy says, “there is nothing else in life that does this.”
It’s the adventure of it all – they say it just makes sense of it all.
“It has more meaning than the finish line, we’ll never be fast, we don’t want to train to win, it’s about the memories,” says Tammy.
This year they’ll be riding the Crusher MS175. A challenge that still scares them but they sign up with the knowledge that, “a true challenge in life is doing something you’re not sure you CAN do.”
They’re grateful to have each other, to be a part of something that puts life in perspective.
“We have a lot of gratitude. We get to do this. We’re choosing to do this. We’re choosing the hard – even if in the moment we hate it.”
By Elizabeth Peterson
Bonus T & A Content!
Check out Episode 7 of the Made U.P. podcast for more with Tammy and Angie!
Tammy and Angie (both mental health care professionals) join Todd to discuss the origins of their bicycle riding journey together, and how it’s shaped their bond. This is a fun episode!
Click here to watch on YouTube
Click here to listen on Spotify
*intended for audiences 18 and older.
New on Made U.P.!
Todd’s been filling the airwaves with an incredible lineup of 906 Adventure Team supporters and participants. From the legend himself, Paul Hytinen, a 3rd generation miner who began biking in his 50’s to Paul Schut who has six red dots behind his membership into the 906AT Trilogy Hall of Pain. And Todd adds in a chat with Al and Kristen Wade of Mudslingers Endurance Coaching… wrapping up the month with Nic Giebler who dives into the massive impact one race in particular made on his life.
There’s a lot of nonsense, a lot of inspiration, and a whole slew of Todd shenanigans you don’t want to miss!
Click here to subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Click here to follow us on Spotify
“It’s the tough stuff that we talk about.”
This year’s Adventure Leadership Summit in Marquette was a huge success. Over 140 volunteers gathered for the 2-day event to gain insight on how to make this year’s Adventure Team season the best yet. It’s positioned to be a record year, with two new communities, an estimated 1,300 kids and over 550 volunteers.
Here’s a few of the highlights from the weekend:
Todd Poquette opened things up by talking about making a decision 11 years ago to do things differently rather than do things the way the world does it. He reiterated the power of Doing Hard Things, as he questioned why so many products, services and solutions exist to make life easy for people – where 906AT does the opposite – it encourages resiliency by pushing the tough stuff and creating a space where people can push themselves.
“Bike Club is doing two hours of hard stuff,” he said to the group. “It’s the tough stuff that we talk about.”
Cori Noordyk and Julie Cunningham talked about the ways we engage with children during bike club. They encouraged leaders to be playful, let down their guards, talk to kids on their level and show up for them – encouraging volunteers to give kids a chance to teach adults and to prioritize opportunities of autonomy for kids.
“Should we ride this trail or that trail today?”
Approach each interaction with curiosity, let kids work through their feelings and praise with verbs not labels suggested Cori.
“Great job pushing your bike up that hill! You made it to the top!”
Dr. James Reinhart, a pediatric cardiologist, talked through concerning health trends in today’s youth – the rate of obesity is up, chronic diseases are increasing, mental health is deteriorating, ADHD is increasing and feelings of loneliness are rising. But, the good news, he shared these troubling statistics to a room full of people taking action to reverse them. As Dr. Reinhart explained, science shows physical activity, especially movement outside, is a big factor in improving the health of our kids.
The day ended with a panel Q&A, click here to watch a powerful message from Todd as he wrapped up the note – talking about the way we’re teaching kids to be afraid of everything.
Day 2 of the summit was focused on bikes – the mechanics and the fundamentals of riding.
Set up in stations – experts in the cycling industry walked participants through troubleshooting problems from chains to wheels to handlebars.
The second half of the day was designated for On The Bike Training. Ten stations were set up at Basecamp – everyone took to their bikes – learning everything from the basics of riding to conquering obstacles. This part of the summit was designed to give volunteers a feel for what Adventure Team kids experience and how to share in that experience with them!
We made a lot of changes to the weekend this year – and from the feedback we’ve received, we’ll be sticking with the new format!
We can’t thank everyone enough who attended this year’s Summit. The energy was phenomenal. From the presenters to those in attendance – we’re looking ahead to an amazing year because of the commitment and dedication you all put into your communities and your kids.
The power of curiosity
One of my responsibilities for Leadership Summit last weekend was to think about sharing my experiences on how to connect with kids so that volunteers could use the advice with kids at Adventure Bike Club. We (906AT) often get this request from volunteers, and I suspect most are interested in connecting with kids so that behavior management and their time at bike club is simpler.
Understanding how to connect with kids is interesting because it comes with a lot of nuances. How you connect with kids can depend on the kids, on the situation, on the adult and their comfort level, etc. Connecting with kids almost never adheres to a tidy check list. None the less, as I thought about lessons learned and advice for others, many of the suggestions came down to adults being curious.
This does not seem to be a particularly easy skill for adults, and we likely need to practice it more often. Just like we need to practice any skill we hope to be better at – we take instruction, try it out, see how well it worked, reflect on whether we are satisfied, make changes if needed, and try again. Do this on repeat.
If you want to add another element to your curiosity, you could allow yourself to be a little vulnerable and tell kids you are working on being more curious. Let them be a part of your journey.
This does not seem to be a particularly easy skill for adults, and we likely need to practice it more often. Just like we need to practice any skill we hope to be better at – we take instruction, try it out, see how well it worked, reflect on whether we are satisfied, make changes if needed, and try again. Do this on repeat.
If you want to add another element to your curiosity, you could allow yourself to be a little vulnerable and tell kids you are working on being more curious. Let them be a part of your journey.
The following are suggestions for things we can practice (as adults), that if done well can help us connect with kids (and will also have the side advantage of fewer behavior problems).
Regardless, if you are coaching an adventure team, consider this your curiosity challenge.
- Ask questions. Ask more questions
- Step back and watch what happens
- Let kids lead both figuratively and on the adventure
- Don’t entertain for the sake of entertainment. The adventure (nature) is the entertainment
- Don’t solve a problem that isn’t there. Let kids tell you if they need something
- Let kids teach you something. Think about what they taught you and ask follow-up questions
- Think about how you can approach the situation differently. Maybe your adventure looks different than it has in the past because your team is different and that’s okay
Get curious and see what happens.
Whether through a donation to youth resilience programming or a sponsorship of your local Adventure Team, your support is crucial to keep the momentum going. We’ve made incredible progress, but we’re already fully immersed in the planning and building for the next decade of growth. Through your financial partnership, you can be a key part of helping us build the foundation for the next 10 years of leadership, resilience and growth for thousands of youth.
Have a story you’d like to see featured in an upcoming edition of ‘Doing The Hard Things’?
Contact Elizabeth Peterson at elizabeth@906adventureteam.com