WAM Event Details — The Grateful Team

A moving city — with bikes.

WAM (we just call it WAM) is a three-day, fully supported tour put on by Make-A-Wish Michigan. It started in 1987 with four friends who decided 300 miles sounded like a reasonable challenge — and it grew into a "moving city" of riders, volunteers, support crews, and Wish kids who line the route to cheer you in.

There are three ways to ride: 100, 200, or 300 miles. All of them start and finish at Marshall High School in Marshall, MI. The 300 is the full enchilada — three days, two overnights, and the kind of finish line you don't forget.

July 24–26, 2026.

The 39th annual ride, Friday through Sunday. Mark it now. We'll set up carpools from Grand Rapids, the Muskegon area, and wherever else makes sense as we get closer to the event — final logistics will go out a few weeks before we roll out.

Location & Route

Start in Marshall. Loop the southwest. Finish in Marshall.

WAM starts and finishes at Marshall High School in Marshall, Michigan. From there, the 300-mile route loops through southwest Michigan — picture quiet country roads, lake breezes, and small towns that turn out to wave you through.

An indicative route — the real thing winds through more small towns than this can show.

Day	From → To	Approx. Miles
Friday	Marshall → Holland	~100
Saturday	Holland → Kalamazoo	~100
Sunday	Kalamazoo → Marshall	~100

Want a shorter taste? Try the 100-mile day (Saturday, Holland → Kalamazoo) or the 200-mile two-day option.

A few moments from past rides.

A line of riders silhouetted against a sunrise on a country road, golden light spilling across cornfields.

Riders heading down a misty country road past green cornfields in the early morning.

A group of WAM riders in yellow jerseys riding in formation on a wooded country road.

Eight Grateful Team riders in pink and yellow jerseys posing together at a rest stop.

A Make-A-Wish "Break Stop" flag on a sunny country roadside as cyclists ride past.

The Grateful Team gathered on a balloon-decorated stage in front of a screen reading "Congratulations to The Grateful Team!"

You ride. They handle the rest.

SAG Van

Support van rides sweep. Blow a tire, hit the wall, the SAG scoops you up. Nobody gets stranded.

Medics

Trained medics on the route, most of them riding with us. They've seen everything by mile 200.

Bike Repair

Mechanics at every rest stop. Flat? Chain? Mystery click? They'll fix it before your snack settles.

Police Escort

Sheriffs and locals at intersections. Stopping safely isn't your problem — just keep pedaling.

Rest Stops

Every 10–15 miles. Snacks, water, sunscreen, a bench, a friendly face. Catered meals at the overnights too — you will not go hungry.

The Finish Line

Wish kids and families lining the road into Marshall. Nobody talks about this part ahead of time, because there's no way to oversell it. You'll see.

$1,200 per rider. We help.

Every rider raises a minimum of $1,200 to participate (virtual riders raise $1,000 by July 1). That money goes directly to Make-A-Wish Michigan, which uses it to grant wishes for Michigan kids with critical illnesses.

The team helps you hit your number — we've done this before, and we'll set you up with templates, tips, and donor-friendly nudges that actually work.

Registration runs through Make-A-Wish Michigan. Sign up there, then come find us — we'll get you onto the team page, into the group chats, and out on training rides before summer hits.

3 Days 300 Miles 1 Pretty good reason