Pedal to the Rescue

08/21/2025

Just one month ago, Tommy and Mikey capped off their cross-country trek and returned to Michigan.

Here is their 2,321 mile journey at a glimpse:

07/31/2025

Be sure to check out Tommy and Mikey’s wrap up interview they had with Mr. Brian Farber of Spectrum News Michigan!

Michael VanSuilichem and Tommy Gehl II covered thousands of miles through eight states.

07/22/2025

Day 42: A Welcomed Rest (July 21)

And just like that, Tommy and Mikey’s cross-country journey has come to a close. In total, the boys amassed 2,321 miles, over 44 rides, spanning an active time of 165 hours, climbing a combined 85,223 feet across nine states. The duo traversed through Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Along the 2,321 miles, the boys tallied seven flat tires, four broken phone holders, two dead batteries, countless aches and pains, and so many memories along the way. Meeting great people and seeing wondrous places that they would never come across without this journey.

Tommy and Mikey look forward to taking a much-deserved rest in the comfort of familiar scenery as they returned to Michigan on Monday (July 21). The boy’s ride did not end as they had planned, but they are still happy that they managed to do what they could for such a great cause like the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation (LAFDF).

The whole Pedal to the Rescue Team is grateful that all of you took part in this one-in-a-lifetime journey, whether that was reacting to the social post, donating, or even telling a friend about these two young and crazy boys. We thank you for being a part of something the whole team will hold on to for a very long time. Even if you weren’t here from the beginning, or even if you joined the journey after meeting Tommy and Mikey on the road, we are so glad you decided to join us.

Our greatest thank you certainly goes out to our behind-the-scenes team here at Pedal to the Rescue, but more importantly, to our friends at BTM Industrial for putting faith in our crazy idea. This monumentous task would have been immensely more difficult without their support.

This experience would not have been the same without any of you. No matter how long you have watched, or how much you have interacted - we hope you enjoyed the journey as much as we did.

With such mileage under their belts, you may consider them cyclists - but Tommy stated, “We aren’t cyclists, we’re just two guys that jumped on some bikes.”

When asked if they had anything to share, here is what our favorite cross-country duo had to mention: “I couldn’t have asked for a better ride or a better partner to tackle the challenge with,” said Mikey. Tommy included, “I hope you get to seek adventure as often as you can. I also hope you get to do it with your best friend.”

We hope that you find that you, too, can be adventurous, and you, too, can still do hard things. The hardest part about doing something hard is simply starting.

Until next time,

The Pedal to the Rescue Team

07/21/2025

Day 41: The Final Miles

Tommy and Mikey began the day with a relaxed morning, knowing that the day’s mileage was short in comparison of the last 40 days - in addition to being their final day in the saddle.

After finally sturring about, the boys made way to Firehouse Station 66 - one of the main stations that headed the fight against the Eaton fire this January (2025). Upon arrival to the station, the Pedal to the Rescue Team was greeted and showed about the station and given a detailed description of the fire, the fire-fighting efforts, and the results of the catastrophe.

Afterwards, Tommy and Mikey ventured to a nearby bike shop that had heard about the duo’s trek and invited them over earlier in their overall journey. With more stories swapped and time shared, the boys were then off to finish their adventure that they had started 40 days previously.

Tommy and Mikey’s traditionally fast paced riding was cut slow and choppy by the urban sprawl that is downtown Los Angeles. But in time, the boys had successfully made it to their destination of southern Santa Monica.

With the day at its end, Tommy and Mikey stamped their finish of their cross-country adventure with a much slower than anticipated 40.4 miles.

07/19/2025

Day 39: The Alternative Path

With the reality that Tommy and Mikey’s planned route was no longer feasible due to California state law, the duo was ferried to their alternative route destination to start the day’s ride.

The route was much more bike friendly than the 10, and offered scenic views that the boys would have traditionally missed.

Tommy and Mikey traversed the Mecca Hills Wilderness, and passed through the towns of Mecca, Thermal, and their end destination of Indio.

Today’s ride was cut much shorter due to the ferry, but still saw the boys tally 49.1 miles.

With the biking restriction difficulties, Tommy and Mikey are set to travel to Pasadena tomorrow (July 19) and will look to bring their cross-country trek to a close on Sunday (July 20).

07/18/2025

Day 38: The Beginning of the End.

2,172 miles and eight states completed, Tommy and Mikey began the day on the precipice of their final state line - California.

The morning saw a stumbling and rainy start as Tommy suffered a leak in his tire before today’s trek even began. Thankfully, the boys were still with the support rig and managed to replace the tire and tube in ample time - but their trusty hand pump ran out of battery, leaving Tommy to ride forty pounds short in his back tire.

With the staggered start, rainy forecast, and a lacking tire - the duo did as they do and hunkered down. Finding themselves on quiet roads, Tommy and Mikey seemed to cruise for the first +20 miles of the ride. Even with the overcast and pleasant sprinkling rain, the boys hit a fatigue wall. With much still ahead of them, the duo opted for a break and found respite in the small town of Brenda, Arizona.

After a much needed rest and some hydration in their bellies, the boys slowly began to come back to life with a renewed vigor.

Tommy and Mikey continued to cruise without interruption for nearly the remainder out of the ride, passing through the California border without issue. However, seemingly just one mile away from their destination, the boys had a run in with the California Highway Patrol.

After instructing the cyclist duo off the California 10, Officer Rusk educated Tommy and Mikey that no pedestrians or cyclists are allowed on the 10 and other roads of such magnitude.

Tommy went on to show Officer Rusk the remainder of the route and how it utilized the 10 and similar roads nearly all the way to the route’s finish. Establishing the boys first time running into the issue of the law. Officer Rusk went on to articulate that the 10 is a major road and the law is in place for safety.

After the boy’s pleasant and very educational chat with Officer Rusk, the brainstorming for an alternate route began. With many attempts and several road option investigations, the boys came to the sorrowful realization that there is no suitable alternative route to reach LA. Seemingly bringing their cross-country mission of Grand Rapids to Los Angeles to a grinding halt - by way of a legal checkmate.

After a pause, the Pedal to the Rescue Team acknowledged that the route may be compromised but that doesn’t mean that the ride must come to an end.

Tomorrow, Tommy and Mikey will be ferried past the 10 and will resume their trek to LA. The boys are saddened that their cross-country route will not be fully actualized, but understand that there is no suitable alternative.

Stay tuned as your favorite cycling duo begins their final stretch to Los Angeles.

07/17/2025

What a great surprise to be featured on 97.9 WGRD!

Caledonia natives Tommy Gehl II and Mikey Vansuilichem are on a cross-country (2,400 mi) bike ride to raise money for the LA Wildfires recovery.
🔗: https://wgrd.com/michigan-los-angeles-charity-bike-ride/
📷: to the Rescue via Instagram / Canva

07/17/2025

Be sure to check out Tommy and Mikey’s follow up interview with Mr. Brian Farber of Spectrum News!

Michael VanSuilichem and Tommy Gehl II are riding to Los Angeles to raise money for the firefighters who battled California wildfires.

07/17/2025

Even in the coming final stretch, Tommy and Mikey continue to adapt as they both awoke naturally before 4 a.m. - and we’re out and we’re active by 5 a.m. Continuing the duo’s theme of early morning starts to beat the Arizona heat.

The day’s ride started off more difficult than anticipated as the boy’s legs still held the lactic acid from the previous day’s mountain affairs. The difficulty was continued as the ride started off with an incline, as Tommy and Mikey had yet to clear the Prescott mountain range.

With a few more miles of incline, our cycling protagonists had finally come to the promised declines of their mountain trek. Descending into the neighboring town of Wilhoit - the duo’s fun continued as the decline carried for miles, offering their legs rest as the duo cascaded down the dormant morning roads.

The fun was cut short with a few additional hills, only to rejoice as the trek returned to a decline.

As the boys passed through Congress, Arizona, Mikey suffered yet another flat tire as a wood splinter managed to puncture through - piercing the interior tube. With a helping hand from a passerby cyclist, the tire replacement was finished and the boys were back in motion.

With Congress behind them, Tommy and Mikey looked forward to their end destination of Aguila. But with such an early morning start, the boys found so much time available to them. Opting to push the envelope and continue on to the next city - Wenden, Arizona, an additional +20 miles. Knowing that this extra mileage would bring ease to tomorrow, the duo hunkered down and pressed on.

These additional miles did not come easy as the prevailing winds came to pester. Seemingly always present as they have made themselves known ever since Tommy and Mikey began their westward expansion, all the way back in Missouri. Today the winds reintroduced themselves with a vengeance - making the boys rethink their additional +20 miles.

Even with the combination of the winds, heat, depleted energy levels, and dwindling supplies - Tommy and Mikey continued one pedal after the next until they had finally found respte as the support rig awaited them in the small town of Wenden.

Finishing the ride off with 90.8 miles, the boys had finally put their days work to an end. Tommy and Mikey look to find their next and final state line tomorrow, as the duo plan to hit California - bringing them into the final stretch of this cross-country effort.

07/16/2025

WHAT. A. GRIND.

Coming into day 36, Tommy and Mikey knew they had a challenge ahead of them - and a challenge it was.

Right from the start the boys began to inch their way in elevation gain - until they reached the staggering trek that led into Jerome, an old mining town up in the mountains. Having grown used to cranking out fast miles, the climb to Jerome proved to be a monsterous effort.

With such an incline, Tommy and Mikey spent most of their time in the first of their 14 gears - each pedal seemingly came with its own bead of sweat. Every rotation of the tire feeling miniscule, but nonetheless the boys persisted.

After enduring the switchbacks and inclines of the old mining town, Tommy and Mikey had found their way to the top of Jerome - achieving an elevation gain of +1,700 ft. But the inclines didn’t stop there as the duo’s destination lied on the other side of the mountain. Meaning that they were just getting started.

Even with Jerome in their back pocket, Tommy and Mikey knew the challenge of the mountain still awaited them. The duo furthered its battle of inclines, switchbacks, and no shoulder for an additional 12 miles. After their grueling ascent of highway 89A, Tommy and Mikey had added another mountain climb to their tally charts - this possibly being the most difficult of them all.

With the climb at their backs, the duo enjoyed the mountain declines and began to make expedited progress towards Prescott Valley. After taking a small pit stop at the local gas station, the boys were back on the road with Prescott in their sights.

With a final 11-mile push, Tommy and Mikey had stamped a finish on day 36.

Even with just a 43.8 mile day, the cycling duo claimed 4,941 ft of elevation gain - their steepest day to date, even experiencing a grade of 14.1%. The boys averaged sub 6mph on the grand incline, but managed to up their average to 10.8 mph after defeating the mountain.

With another 43.8 miles in tow, Tommy and Mikey have road 2,081 miles total - putting them with less than 400 remaining!

07/14/2025

Tommy and Mikey had a blast for much of day 35, as the duo had their biggest decline day to date. Traversing from Flagstaff to Cottonwood, the boys found themselves going downhill for most of the trek as they descended 5,185 ft on highway 89.

Considering their average speed of 16.4 mph, Tommy and Mikey made fast work of their 49.2 mile journey with just a pinch over three hours in active time.

Today showcased an easier trek due to the declines - the boys hope this lax in output will allow them to rest up nicely for their hefty day of incline tomorrow as they make way for Prescott, Arizona, for day 36.

07/14/2025

The boys were up and out for before the sun peaked over the horizon for day 34. With a big day ahead, Tommy and Mikey opted to do what they could to stay out of the heat, leaving just past 5 a.m.

Even with the early start and the chilly forecast, the morning felt much warmer due to the affects of the western wild fires waft into the Arizona air - bringing the air conditions to “unhealthy for sensitive groups”. Even with the sun down, the darkened landscape felt like a simmering bonfire as the haze continues to mingle on the horizon.

Even with the boys narrowing in on the routes final stretch, the challenges remain. The main challenge today being the hill on Route 89 entering Flagstaff, Arizona. Tommy and Mikey had already collected 60 miles on the day as they stared up the climb that was the peak of Route 89.

As the duo began their ascent and were met swiftly with its difficulty. But the boys would find rejuvenation with a heroic assist their new found friend, Mr. Chris.

Mr. Chris saw the boys on their ascent and as a biker himself, decided to pull over and offer ice, water, electrolytes, and the whole nine. Mr. Chris’s road side assistance brought the boys back to life as they would once again bring their ascent.

In time, Tommy and Mikey had conquered the hill and continued the remaining 18 miles. Nearing the five hour mark of active time, the boys had finally reached their destination of Flagstaff, Arizona, totaling 79.8 miles with 4,224 ft of elevation gain.

After today, the duo have tallied 1,988 miles.