For avid bicyclist Ian Jorgensen, the only thing better than a long ride to clear the mind and exercise the body is a long ride to support a worthy cause.
Last month, the 2005 Oxford High School graduate went on a 561-mile bicycle trek to raise money and awareness for shunt research.
Jorgensen and his cousin, David Stormzand, of Rochester, spent Aug. 4-12 biking all the way from Mackinaw to Oxford as a fund-raiser for STARS-kids, which is short for Seeking Techniques Advancing Research in Shunts.
‘Dave planned the route, created the ride, and made everything happen,? Jorgensen said. ‘One day, we were talking, and he brought up this idea he had about biking around Michigan to raise money for STARS. I could not turn down an offer like that. Biking for a week, while raising money to help combat hydrocephalus just sounded like a good plan to me.?
They raised $650 for STARS thanks to sponsorships from KLM Bike & Fitness in Rochester Hills and Rochester Mills Beer Company.
Donations are still being accepted. Find out how to contribute by visiting www.stars-kids.org.
The cause
Hydrocephalus, commonly referred to as ‘water on the brain,? is caused by a blockage or obstruction of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid that fills cavities inside the brain and bathes the surface of the brain. If not treated, it can be fatal.
Approximately one in 500 children is afflicted with hydrocephalus.
The only treatment for this condition is a shunt, which is a valve with catheter tubing that is surgically implanted in the brain or spine to allow for drainage of cerebrospinal fluid to another location in the body.
STARS-kids is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds for research to advance shunt technology and its effect on the brain.
Supporting shunt research is important to Jorgensen and Stormzand because their cousin, Megan Nannarone, 20 has had a shunt for many years.
‘She was born with an inoperable brain tumor which causes her brain to produce excess fluid,? said Jorgensen, who’s a junior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, working towards earning his Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics.
Now a college student, Nannarone’s shunt has helped her live a happy and normal life.
The trip
Jorgensen and Stormzand’s journey began in Mackinaw. From there, the pair travelled through the Upper Peninsula, along Lake Michigan, to Milakokia Lake, Escanaba and Menominee.
They crossed the border and ended up in Manitowoc, Wisconsin where they took the S.S. Badger, a 410?-foot-long car ferry, on a four-hour, 60-mile nighttime cruise across Lake Michigan to Ludington.
No ordinary car ferry, the S.S. Badger’s amenities include a video arcade, television and movie lounges, museum, buffet-style dining area, deli-style snack bar, children’s playroom, gift shop and outside deck areas.
‘The boat was the type that I would expect to be fun during the day, but it was sleepy at night,? Jorgensen said. ‘We spent the night on the top deck under the stars on deck chairs. I had a sleeping bag, so I had a peaceful night.?
From Ludington, Jorgensen and Stormzand pedaled their way to White Cloud, Pewamo and finally Oxford. On average, we spent about five hours a day riding,? Jorgensen said. ‘I averaged around 15 miles per hour, with some times being closer to 12? (mph), thanks to low morale.?
‘In the end, though, my cousin and I kept each other going throughout the ride,? Jorgensen noted.
The two got lots of help from their support crew, who followed by vehicle. The crew consisted of proud dads Greg Jorgensen, of Oxford, and John Stormzand, and David’s younger sister, Eva, who cheered the young men on with messages written in chalk along the road.
‘Guys like Ian and David are an inspiration to me,? said Greg Jorgensen. ‘Experiencing their values, determination and dedication gives me faith in the future. They contribute to global heartwarming.?
Support crew duties consisted of making and breaking camp every day, preparing meals and meeting the bicyclists every 30 or 50 miles to ensure they were properly hydrated and had sufficient electrolyte levels.
‘Things like sunburns, head-winds and keeping oneself properly fed and hydrated are really the biggest challenges,? Jorgensen said.
Frequent equipment checks and repairs were also performed by the dynamic crew.
Twice during the trip, the boys rode 100 miles or more in a single day.
‘A few days into the trip, the boys started referring to a 60-mile ride as a short day,? Greg said. ‘Ian broke the speed limit in the last mile entering Oxford. I guess the finish line was looking real good after 105 miles that day.?
A message to drivers
After logging all those hours on the road, Jorgensen has one message for motorists ? ‘share the road.?
‘Some drivers are aggressive or angry towards bikers, though most are nice,? he said. ‘Those rude drivers are the ones that stick in your mind and make the ride harder. Near the end of a 100-plus mile bike ride, I don’t want people yelling things to me about how I’m ‘ridiculous? or how I should ‘get off the road.??
‘We have a legal right to a lane,? Jorgensen noted.
Jorgensen’s father agreed.
‘Although most drivers are supportive and courteous, a small percentage are unsafe around cyclists,? Greg said. ‘I urge drivers to realize that bikers are vulnerable. They have no seat belts, air bags, or crumple zones. Even an airborne pebble can cause problems. Please give cyclists a wide berth.?
Maybe next year
‘We may do this ride again next year, so (there) may be an opportunity to get more people involved and more funds raised, as well as awareness,? Jorgensen said.