Day One: 74 Miles to Interlochen
- Richard Webster
- Aug 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 7
August 6–7, 2026 | West Bend, Wisconsin to Ludington, Michigan, then Interlochen State Park
The master itinerary called for a 72-mile opening ride from Ludington to Interlochen. By the time Ken rolled into camp, his first riding day had become 74.2 miles, the farthest he had ridden in more than 20 years.
Before the first pedal stroke, however, the journey nearly stopped over something small enough to fit in a pocket.
The Journey Began Before the Ride
On August 6, Ken, Richard, and Jeremiah gathered in West Bend with the support van packed, the bicycles secured, and matching Every Mile for a Child shirts on. Months of training and planning had finally become a real departure.
The plan was to leave at 7:00 a.m., but last-minute loading, supplies, attaching the bicycle racks, and a stop so Richard could vote pushed the departure back. Then Ken realized he did not have his wallet.
He drove back toward Hartford, searched his backpack and suitcase, and was preparing to pull apart the van. He could not leave without his identification. While Ken searched, Laralynn and a friend prayed for his safety and for the missing wallet to be found.
Laralynn remembered that Ken had stopped at Duncan and suggested checking beneath the chair where he had been sitting.
The wallet was there.
“Praise the Lord. Guess where it was.”
The delay became the trip's first answered prayer. By evening, the support van reached Cartier Park in Ludington, where the first night of camping brought everyone to the official starting point.
Starting With Don Close By
At about 7:00 a.m. on August 7, the temperature was near 65 degrees. Ken was excited, nervous, and ready to begin the first riding day of his journey around Lake Michigan.
He carried something important with him: the mirror and safety vest that belonged to his brother Don, who completed this ride with Ken about 20 years ago.
“I’m wearing his mirror and his vest today because he’s going to be with me on this trip.”
Richard gave him one final reminder before the wheels started turning: “God’s got you.”
With both tracking devices blinking and the support van ready to leapfrog ahead, Day 1 officially began.
After Ken was underway, Richard and Jeremiah packed up Cartier Park and started the day's leapfrog routine toward Interlochen.
Heavy Dew and a Road That Needed Prayer
The cool morning was welcome, but the dew was so heavy that Ken's glasses became difficult to see through. At times, he had to look over the lenses just to keep the road clear.
Then came one of the more serious stretches of the day. A road marked as a bicycle route offered almost no usable shoulder. For about 20 miles, Ken had little more than the white line and a narrow strip of pavement between him and traffic.
He did not try to make the moment sound easier than it was. He asked everyone following along to pray for protection.
“It’ll be all right. Just pray for me.”
The prayers and preparation mattered. Ken later said Michigan drivers consistently gave him space and treated him with respect.
The Things You Notice From a Bicycle
The road continued to offer scenes that would have been easy to miss from the van, including a flock of turkeys along the route.
At 30 miles, Ken stopped for lunch. His legs were holding up well, though the miles were beginning to settle into his shoulders.
Later, a warning sign and fence marked a steep drop where the cliffs went nearly straight down.
By 37 miles, Ken had been riding for more than four hours. His legs still felt good, but his shoulders were sore, and he knew he had roughly another 37 miles ahead.
Fresh Fruit, Family Support, and a Brake Repair
Richard and Jeremiah kept leapfrogging ahead in the support van, watching for Ken's bright vest and making sure he had what he needed.
A farmers market stop produced one of the best mid-ride surprises: fresh peaches and blueberries. The fruit gave Ken a refreshing break and quick energy when the day was getting warmer.
The support van also became a mobile repair station. When Ken's front brakes stopped working correctly, Richard helped adjust them. A hardware-store stop supplied lock washers, and the people they met were kind and helpful.
Fourteen Miles Left
At 60 miles and about seven hours into the day, Ken had already ridden farther than he had in more than 20 years. He still had 14 miles to go.
Then came a milestone worth celebrating.
“A 68-year-old young man just hit 68 miles.”
Only six miles remained.
Welcome to Interlochen
Ken arrived at Interlochen State Park to a high five, a welcome from Jeremiah, and dinner cooking at camp. The temperature had climbed to about 83 degrees, but cloud cover helped during the final stretch.
The finish was more than the completion of a long day. It was proof that Ken's months of training had prepared him to keep moving.
Day One by the Numbers
Route: Ludington to Interlochen State Park
Planned distance from the master itinerary: 72.0 miles
Actual distance recorded: 74.2 miles
Recorded elevation gain: 1,583 feet
Recorded moving time: 7 hours, 17 minutes
Total elapsed time: about 9 hours, 8 minutes
Calories shown on Ken's tracker: 3,943
Day 1 milestone: Ken's longest ride in more than 20 years
At camp, Ken looked back on the dew, the difficult road, the brake trouble, the respectful drivers, the fresh fruit, and the final miles.
Help Carry Ken Into Day Two
The fundraiser has now reached $2,417 of its first $6,000 milestone, approximately 40% funded, with $3,583 remaining. If you have been planning to give, now is the time. The first $6,000 can help cover shipping and handling for 600 Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts, but it is not a ceiling. Every additional $10 can help another shoebox gift reach a child.
Ken also needs encouragement for the miles ahead. Please do more than read the update. Leave a comment at the bottom of this blog, like or comment on the Facebook post, and text Ken directly at 262-707-4253. Doing all three would mean a great deal, but even one short message can help carry him into tomorrow.
Day 1 is complete. The journey around Lake Michigan is officially underway.
What an adventure! ❤️
How cool to see this. I loved saying hi to Jeremiah each day at OCS a few years back. I am 66 and you are inspiring! Praying for you all! Margaret Fischer
Ken,
I’m lying in a hospital bed not even 24 hours post op from an ankle surgery. Reading about you riding to raise money for the kids is so inspiring to me! I’m not getting out of bed to join you for sure but it helps me to push through my pain to get better! God is so wonderful and gives us all more than we deserve. Please know you are in my prayers with every mile you ride! Can’t wait to see you when you get home! Tell me your favorite cake flavor so I can have one ready for the victory celebration! Sending love, hugs, but most importantly, PRAYERS!
Love,
Kris
Psalm 121:8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and coming in from this time forth, even forevermore.🙏🏻🚴♂️🫶