33 - Why We Ride: Fundraisers Share Their “Why” at the Gran Fondo33 - Why We Ride: Fundraisers Share Their “Why” at the Gran Fondo
Rehabilitationships
Cyclists and fundraisers from the KeyBank Gran Fondo share why they ride in support of Mary Free Bed, connecting personal rehabilitation stories with community cycling. Their experiences highlight how movement, fundraising and recovery goals can bring hope to patients, families and supporters alike.
16:38•25 Jun 2026
Why They Ride: Gran Fondo Fundraisers Share Their Big “Why”
Episode Overview
- Gran Fondo riders emphasise that all rider-raised funds go directly to Mary Free Bed, supporting programmes like kids’ services, wheelchair sports and recreational therapy.
- Community and friendships are central, with riders highlighting how the event brings together families, volunteers and cyclists of all ages and abilities.
- Several guests share strong personal ties to Mary Free Bed, including relatives receiving long-term rehabilitation and grandchildren in physical therapy.
- Colleen shows how setting a challenging cycling goal after brain surgery gave her hope, structure and a powerful marker in her recovery journey.
- Guests encourage people to try riding, volunteering or fundraising, stressing that participation can boost physical health while supporting essential rehabilitation services.
“It’s worth your time. It’s worth your effort. The money that is raised does not go into salaries or anything. It goes right to the charity.”
Get ready to be moved by real-life accounts of people who ride for something bigger than themselves. This episode of Rehabilitationships heads to the KeyBank Gran Fondo in Grand Rapids, where riders-turned-fundraisers share the deeply personal reasons behind their yearly commitment to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation. You’ll hear from long-time cyclist Kim, who keeps signing up because, as he puts it, “the money that is raised does not go into salaries or anything.
It goes right to the charity, which is where it belongs.” His passion is rooted in family: his cousin’s granddaughter lives with the long-term effects of eastern equine encephalitis and has relied on Mary Free Bed’s care, giving his rides a very clear purpose. Larry talks about community, ageing actively and giving back.
Now 70, he jokes that his ortho surgeon said, “I want to be like you when I’m your age.” After multiple surgeries and plenty of physiotherapy, he rides and fundraises as a way to stay healthy and support the therapists who helped him keep moving – even roping in his wife, son and friends to volunteer and ride the 80-mile route. Joe Morello brings a multigenerational angle, sharing how his youngest grandson benefits from Mary Free Bed’s physical therapy team.
For him, Gran Fondo is the one annual event that unites his big riding group and fuels his passion for raising money for kids’ programmes, wheelchair sports and recreational therapy. Finally, Colleen shares a powerful recovery story.
After unexpected brain surgery at 33, she used signing up for the 80-mile ride as a goal to “pin some hope on.” Eight months post-surgery, she completed the ride with her family and says cycling “changed my life for the better.” If you’re craving a reminder that community sport, rehabilitation and fundraising can fit together in a really human way, this conversation might give you the nudge to get on a bike, volunteer, or simply cheer someone on.
What kind of goal could you set that gives your own recovery or wellbeing a boost?
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