IMPORTANT INFORMATION: For your convenience information regarding trip planning, organization of stops/destinations and other notes involving procedures or meetings will now be located under the “Planning” tab.
—-March 25th, 2010
Banquet Photo in Tok, Alaska at the conclusion of this year’s MichCanSka Adventure.
—– March 8th, 2010
Billed as the Iditarod of snowmobiling, an epic adventure, the snowmobile trip of a lifetime, all can be said to be true and much, much more. It was to be a fundraiser for the Diabetes Research Institute. With 285 million people Worldwide suffering with this dreadful disease, it is undoubtedly a very worthy cause. MichCanSka (derived from Michigan, Canada, and Alaska) was a word that never existed before. A word that now represents a dream for so many who live with diabetes. It is truly a great feeling to know that you have a significant mission to help millions of people Worldwide. It marks the beginning of a North American Journey for a cure.
This phenomenal adventure, staged in the dead of winter by a band of riders (median age 62) has taken us through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Colombia and the Yukon Territory. A warm day would be considered 20 degrees, and our coldest day leaving Nipawin, Saskatchewan was 26 degrees below zero when we started out and the high for the day was 11 degrees below zero and every rider participated.
Pressing ahead we encountered brutal ditch banging trails,lack of snow in some areas and 4 feet of what the locals call sugar snow. Because of its granular base it is like quicksand and almost impossible to navigate through. This day trip on Canol Road in the Yukon from Johnsons Crossing to Ross River took us 12 hours to ride 140 miles. We thank the person who invented the snow bunji a tool for yanking sleds out of the ditch, and we used it on that day an estimated 125 times! We arrived in Ross River at 11PM.
Oh yes, we endured the aches and pains many of us with arthritis and diabetes, the chaffed hands and chapped lips but the journey continued for this group of ordinary snowmobilers who would accomplish an extraordinary feat. They banded together time and time again as a team that would not compromise the end goal, helping each other over and over again leaving no one behind.
There were many nay-sayers in the beginning that said it would never get off the ground, it would never work, we would never get many riders and half of them would drop out. But on this eighth day of March 2010 this group of 54 riders will walk out of the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City Yukon, we will assemble in parade formation and the originator and organizer of this fantastic event Bill Bradfield will mount his sled and turn back to the others and shout the command, “Ladies and Gentlemen START YOUR ENGINES.” It is at that precise moment, at 8AM, the group called the MichCanSkans’ will write a new chapter in the sport we have a passion for and we will ride into the history books of organized snowmobiling, when we ride over the Top of the World Highway from Dawson City, Yukon to Tok, Alaska. We thank all of the Americans and our Canadian sisters and brothers who donated and helped us along the way with the necessary logistics that made it all possible.The beautiful landscapes and scenery of two truly great countries will be locked in our minds forever.
May the legend of MichCanSka and all of its good deeds live on forever.
- Bill Bradfield – President, the MichCanSka Man.
—– March 3rd, 2010
The MichCanSka ride is well into Canada. The trip has taken them through the northern states of America and the Canadian territories of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and now British Columbia. MichCanSka is closer than ever to Tok, Alaska.
The Alaskan Highway was mile one of the journey across the Canada but below you will see that this journey started many miles east at I-75. The signage below has been permanently fixed to I-75 helping describe MichCanSka’s bold quest to help fight diabetes and bring awareness and support for diabetes research.
Helpful guides, such as Eric Dietrich of North Dakota, have helped MichCanSka get through some of the most rugged yet beautiful scenery North American has to offer. Some stretches of the trip have had less than desirable amounts of snow which has given multiple groups added adversity. Lately the “Snow Dance” has become a popular activity. As seen below, Bill and Betty Randell have perfected their choreography.
As the trip continues towards Alaska, spirits are high. The groups have seen beautiful sunsets and sunrises and wildlife throughout the trip. Wish them safety and joy as they continue on.
—– Feb. 23rd, 2010
We have now traveled nearly 2,000 miles – some of it pretty grueling and testing of rider’s skills. I am happy to say that everyone is holding up well. The local guides are all working out quite well and the morale of the riders is at an all-time high.
We had a fantastic weekend at the I-500 race in Sault Ste Marie Michigan. Our benefit dinner was a big success and in addition to the money raised thousands of dollars more in donations came in. The MichCanSka riders all 22 of us were honored with the opportunity of riding around the track one time and I led the group with the Mayors of Sault Ste. Marie Michigan and Ontario Canada right behind me. Forty-five minutes later at 10AM the Mayor of the Soo passed the honor of starting the race to me, and that precise moment was undoubtedly the highlight of my 42-year history as a snowmobiler! It was a rush that was absolutely fantastic! We were also honored at the awards banquet following the race and we presented a polished stainless steel MichCanSka logo to the mayor of the Soo.
Sunday was equally exciting. We raced back down to Cadillac to do another presentation at the annual North American Snow Festival. The mayor of the city of Cadillac, Bill Barnett, presented us with a proclamation that I know you are going to love. We also presented the city of Cadillac with a stainless steel MichCanSka logo. Thanks to member Don Lipinski for making the stainless plaques available.
There have been some wrong turns, wrong directions and in some cases tough getting through towns because of lack of snow. The old back is sore, the hands are chaffed and calloused and the bones ach like never before, but I’m doing what I love, living the dream and creating the legend of MichCanSka. It is truly a great feeling to know you a have a significant mission to help millions of people worldwide who suffer with diabetes.
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Congratulations Bill! Bill Bradfield has been chosen by the board of directors of this year’s I-500 snowmobile race to drop the starting flag. The event will take place on February 6th, 2010 in Sault Ste. Marie. Ric Federau, Co-Director of the I-500 race, caught up to Bill while he was on a 600 mile snowmobile journey in the Upper Peninsula and asked if he would do the honors. Of course he accepted. Throughout the process of making this dream trip a reality, it is only fitting that Bill be involved with such an fantastic event. Congrats Bill.
The Benefit Dinner is planned for February 5th at the Quality Inn in Sault Ste. Marie from 4pm to 9pm. There also will be a silent auction as apart of the evening. The flier is below.
GREAT NEWS FROM MICHCANSKA! A chance of a life time for corporate advertising on MichCanSka’s, “Trip of A Lifetime video.” For a limited time we are offering our sponsoring partners opportunities to showcase there support and involvement through our MichCanSka Documentary that will be produced by Mike Grant, Executive Producer of Snow Trails TV. We have limited advertising space available so this opportunity won’t last long. Interested parties are encouraged to contact us by leaving a message here at our website, or emailing us at hoxeyvillain@hotmail.com
YOUR COMPANY AND LOGO CAN BECOME A PART OF THIS EPIC ADVENTURE IN ITS INAUGURAL YEAR!
Contact us today!
MichCanSka has several openings for riders. We have 2 openings in group 2, and 1 opening in group 3. If you are interested or have a friend that is interested in this trip of a lifetime please contact us at hoxeyvillain@hotmail.com or 231-862-3562. We anticipate these vacancies will be filled quickly so contact us ASAP!
Thank you to Ric Federau for developing the logo for the I-500 Race drivers and the riders of MichCanska. Thanks Ric!
We had 2 meetings in Sault Ste. Marie last Thursday. The first was with our coordination comittee which is comprised of the Mayors Office for the Cities of Sault Ste. Marie Michigan and Ontario Canada, the visitors bureau, chamber of commerce media, and business owners and managers. It went extremely well and we schedueled a benefit dinner for MichCanSka. It will be held on Friday February 5,2010 at the Quality Inn Hotel from 4PM to 9PM. The purpose will be to raise funds for Diabetes Research and give the public a chance to meet riders from MichCanSka and the famous 42nd I-500 snowmobile race.
The second meeting was at 7PM and we met with the entire board of directors of the 500 mile snowmobile race. I had previous meetings with Ric Federau (co-chairman) to discuss how we might be able to work together. The following members of the MichCanSka board were present, Ron Corbett Vice President, Betty Randall Treasurer and her husband Garry. Ric introduced me and I gave a presentation with input from my board members as well. We explained to them that everyone in the community is endorsing the I-500 race and everyone in the community is endorsing MichCanSka so it is only natural for us to support the goals and efforts of both events which are the most exciting in North America! In the 42 year history of the I-500 race they never endorsed a charity. At the conclusion of our presentation the board of directors of the International 500 Snowmobile Race voted unanimously to endorse MichCanSka as their chosen charity ride. A poster was presented by Bill Bradfield with both the I-500 logo and the MichCanSka logo and the caption reads; Where I-75 ends & excitement begins, The Worlds oldest, fastest and longest snowmobile race and the Worlds First, Longest Most Scenic Snowmobile Ride. Pictures below.
Channels 9 & 10 News will be doing a live interview with Bill Bradfield and some other MichCanSka riders at Bill’s home between 6am & 7am on this coming Monday, December 7th. Be sure to tune in! The TV station has also agreed to do several more episodes of our great event! Go to www.9and10news.com and search “4000 Mile Dream Ride” or click on the “News Coverage” link.
The Novi show was a great success and where able to take bring in another Platinum and Gold donor. We also had interviews with the Michigan Snowmobiler Magazine and the article will appear in the December issue. MichCanSka shared a booth with the visitors bureau from the City of Cadillac.
Bill Bradfield, Alex the iceroad trucker and volunteers from the city of Cadillac in a shared booth at the Novi Snow Show where the two groups promoted each other including the MichCanSka ride and the North American Snow Festival which takes place in Cadillac on Februrary 4-7th, 2010.
Highlights of the festival include trail riding fun run, Chili Cook Off (Bill Bradfield is the current crowned Chili King), Kids races, Parade of Lights, Miss NASF Beauty Pagent, music provided, Texas Hold’em, beverage sales, Free Pizza, Entertainment, Ski event, Snow Sculpture, ice fishing contest, lake races, antique snowmobile show, Reindeer display, Polar Dip, Presentation of key to the city, Drawing for raffles and the grand prize is a 2010 Polaris snowmobile! It is always a fantastic event. Also riders of the MichCanSka trip to Alaska will have a presentation to the City on Sunday on the ice near the races at 1:00pm on Februrary 7th, 2010.
Bill Bradfield also had several meetings with Ric Federau, spokesperson for the famous Soo-500 race. They discussed how MichCanSka and the Soo-500 Race might be able to work together in promoting both great events. We also had the chance to visit the booth of every snowmobile magazine and television network and will be sharing the information given to them about the MichCanSka event.
The MSA convention at the end of October was very informative and we had a great time. Bill Bradfield was the first speaker of the convention and gave an in depth report on everything that has been happening with MichCanSka. We had a booth and passed out our newly designed flyers to all the attendees. Prior to the convention MichCanSka endorsed the following candidates for office; Jim Dickie for President, Bruce Wood for Vice President, Johm Houk for Treasurer, and Al Green for Secretary. All of them were elected, congradulations!
Another highlight of the event was the Cadillac Winter Warriors was selected as Snowmobile Club of the Year. The Warriors were also the first club in the State of Michigan to endorse the MichCanSka ride.
Bill Bradfield also has meetings in December with the North American Snow Festival (NASF), the Soo-500 race board, the City of Cadillac and the City of Sault Ste. Marie.
From the MichCanSka World Headquarters, your officers all wish you the safest and Happiest Holidays!
Betty Randall, Treasurer of MichCanSka stands next to Aydan K Olszewski and Bill Bradfield. Aydan, a nine year old boy who relies on an insulin pump that supplies insulin to his body 24/7. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was just 15 months old and has had a blood sugar count as high as 865. His mother Bobbi Litter says that he is leading a normal and active life thanks to the technology of the insulin pump that he wears daily. Aydan sits atop the snowmobile that will lead the adventure towards Alaska in February.
We have a back up list of names and phone numbers for replacements and we have already used some of them. So if you interested in going on the first trip or second one please let us know.
Snow on August 29th? Betty Randall gets ready to throw a snowball at her husband Gary at the Nelsons Snow Show. Only at the Nelsons Snow Show in Greenville Michigan! As many as 12,000 snowmobilers were in attendance at the weekend event that included a snowmobile motocross on real snow. The snow was dug out of an underground cavern. Jack Nelson buries tons of the white gold every winter, puts an insulated cover of sawdust and tarps on it, then they dig it up in August for his summer snowshow. If this is not going the extra yard to promote snowmobiling I don’t know what else could! MichCanSka was on hand making snowmobilers aware of our fund-raising efforts for diabetes research selling raffle tickets and embroidered clothing for the event. We are now also offering a beautiful MichCanSka jacket for only $80.
Please contact Betty Randall. Her work is high quality.
The Carshow on Labor Day weekend was a great sucess and was held at the Coyote Crossing. The two cars pictured both won trophies as did 28 others. The festival featured the carshow, arts and crafts, Fireman’s pig-roast, and a display of snowmobiles where people bought raffle tickets for a chance at winning them. We also had the radio station from Traverse City, WTCM helping us promote the MichCanSka fundraiser for Diabetes Research.
The December meeting is rapidly approaching. It is scheduled for December 29th at 1 pm at the Cadillac Sands Motel. As a reminder at this meeting, we would like to see all riders turn in at least 100 dollars of their donations collected so far if you haven’t already done so for the Diabetes Research Institute.
Pictured here at the September meeting reieving a certificate of of award for reaching the level of Platinum sponsors are left to right; Gordon Mackay, Jack Postema, Gary Geiger, Gary Randall, Betty Randall, David Low, Bill Bradfield and George Pattullo. Also not pictured are Dan Wheeler and Sandy Bliven.
Above picture: Business Managers and International Representatives of the Sheet Metal Workers International Union. All of them are supporters of the MichCanSka Adventure and they have all been supporters of Diabetes Research for many years. This meeting was held in late September at Glen Arbor Michigan with the Great Lakes Council of Sheet Metal Workers. Five Platinum sponsorships were pledged and a raffle that raised 370 dollars. Our thanks go out to all the locals and the council who participated. Special thanks to the following locals who made Platinum level donations; Local 7, Local 20, Local 24, Local 33 and the Great Lakes States Council of Sheet Metal Workers.
Pictured above: Bill Manson, Jim Dickie, Bill Bradfield and Don Reed
