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GR Man Riding His Bike All The Way To Marco Island, Florida, To Honor a Friend

Posted at 11:40 AM, Oct 14, 2013
and last updated 2013-10-14 11:40:00-04

WYOMING, Mich. — Amyotrophic laterals sclerosis, otherwise known as ALS, is a disease that can attack people in the prime of their lives. That is what happened to Adam Visser, who at age 34 died of the disease. Now his friend, Grant Bergsma, has found a way to pay tribute and pay it forward.

“My inspiration is Adam. He ran my family’s cleaning business ever since I was little. He got diagnosed with ALS when he was 31 years old and passed away when he was 34.”

That is why Grant Bergsma rides. He rides his bicycle in memory of his friend. He rides because he can, and he rides because he feels the need inside to do something to fight this terrible disease.

“I didn’t do enough when he had the disease back then. I was young and dumb, and I did not realize how much he had an effect on my life and decided that I was going to do something to show appreciation for everything he gave to me.”

So Grant will ride his bike 1,700 miles in 20 days from Grand Rapids to Marco Island, Florida, to raise awareness and money to help fight ALS.

“A lot of people say they want to do something like this, and they never have the chance. Well,  I have the chance, so I am going to go do it.”