St. Michael's Annual Ride for Life Marks Five Years Saturday

The annual Chad Smith Ride for Life will mark its five-year anniversary Saturday with a trek across Wright County in memory of one St. Michael-Albertville resident, and with the hopes of helping another.

The annual Ride for Life will take place, rain or shine, Saturday, June 16. Riders will converge at 9:30 a.m. at  Bar in St. Michael, and take off for more than 12 hours of riding, eating, drinking (responsibly), singing and dancing.

They'll remember the man they lost to Hodgkins Lymphoma (previously Hodgkin's Disease) in 2009, and reach out to help a boy that so many of them have never even met. 

Chad was able to be a part of the first two Ride For Life events. A former rider, Hodgkins was taking its toll on Smith by the time the 2009 ride rolled around. He knew the event, which had helped him cover medical expenses and other necessities, could do something great for someone else in need. 

"One of Chad's final wishes was that the event move forward and reach out and find a local family that was also fighting cancer," said cousin and friend Tobey Berning, joined by his wife, Jen. "It was just his way of passing it on." 

This year, the ride will benefit Devon Knapp, 4, of Albertville, who in December 2011 was diagnosed with leukemia. You can read more about this tough, little guy’s battle here on his CaringBridge.org site.

He’s the third local child targeted by the ride. The crew helped out Maddy Wenner, now 10, last year. She is also battling blood cancer.

The third annual ride was the first to pass on its fundraising efforts to a community family, and that was Lucas Letellier, who passed away earlier this year after a two-year battle with Stage 4 Aveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma.

A special logo has been added to the Ride for Life “official” trailer–the No. 44 with angel wings–in Luke’s honor.

The ride will culminate with a celebration for both Chad and Devon at Neighbors Bar and Grill Saturday night. Riders should start rolling in around 5:30 p.m. There will be music, a silent auction, and door prizes. 

A bus will be available as well for those who aren't bikers but still want to come along on the 150-mile journey. Stops along the way will include Up the Creek in Silver Creek, Doochie's in St. Marten, and some points in between. 

The cost to participate in the Ride for Life is $25, or $10 if you want to hang out at  Saturday night. Donations can also be made by calling Wendy Jorgenson at 763-497-0470. All proceeds will beneft the Knapp family. 

To RSVP for the ride (required for all bikers or Red Rocket Riders), contact Tobey at 763-286-1633. 

To donate to Devon, The Devon Knapp Fund has been set up at Great Northern Bank

Drop off or Mail to: 

Attn: Devon Knapp Fund
12725 43rd St NE
St Michael, MN 55376