Meet the Team

  • “Captain” Beth Brandvain
    Founding member in 1999.
    Haven’t missed a WAM yet

    What started as a way to honor Alex Graham’s life and legacy has led to an improved lifestyle, an incredible Family by Choice and a sense of purpose combined with great fun and friendship. I will keep riding and hitting my friends up for $$$ as long as I can. Go Team Alex!

  • Member Since: 2012

    Dale has been riding with Team Alex since 2012 (after recruiting his friend Bruce). He was joined by his daughters (the “Garberettes”) two years later. He is usually seen with his camera in hand, preparing a “Dale Spielberg” video to document the Team Alex ride. He has known Mitch Barnett since he was very short.

  • Member Since: 2017

    I tell people that "I ride for Make-A-Wish" because that's how it feels. And I love it. Being a part of Team Alex has given me a whole new "family by choice" and a great reason to keep riding. When you finish WAM and a wish kid says "thanks for riding," it's all I can do to not cry. And it's why I keep riding.

  • Member Since: 2016

    David Saperstein has been riding with Team Alex since 2016, and 2023 will be his eighth year. David has been voted Team Alex’s “Best Dressed Rider” and is available to answer your sartorial inquiries.

  • Member Since: 2022

    I got into biking during the COVID19 Pandemic as something to do and fell in love with it. Joining Team Alex has allowed me to meet an incredible community of cyclists and given me a reason to keep riding.

  • Member Since: 2005

    This will be my 18th ride with the family that I choose. Started when my Brother in Law, Jeff Surnow, said "Come ride with Team Alex, it's a 12 mile ride." I don't remember him saying 8 times a day for 3 days. My sons and their wives, Ronnie and Lindsey, Noah and Kelly, soon joined the team. The intertwined appreciation from the wish families, combined with the satisfaction and Iove that I give and receive, is indescribable. Enjoy Life, Ride Safe. Norm

  • Member Since: 2013

    Got into WAM through bike racing with Wolverine Sports club cyclists who were also Team Alex clan. Enjoy the camaraderie but its a chance to do give to those in need and do something fun. Still rolling onward 10 years on.

  • Member Since: 2022

    Began riding in 2002 with Eaton. I joined Team Alex in 2022 after retiring from Eaton in 2021.

    Married to Wendy Schwartz of Team Alex.

    Ridden in 18 WAMs.

    Wendy and I met in 2013 and have been riding a tandem in WAM ever since. We married in 2015. Riding bikes is our passion and WAM is our inspiration.

  • Member Since: 2013

    My name is Wendy Schwartz and this will be my 10th WAM. I love being part of Team Alex and have met many new friends and connected with many old friends. My husband (Larry Bennett the handy man) and I have been riding a tandem for the last 10 years and I would have it no other way. Riding bikes is our passion and WAM is our inspiration.

  • Member Since: 2016

    Larry Bennett, Alias: "The Other Larry Bennett." Started in 2016 and have participated each year since. Wendy has nothing to worry about. I just wanted to make one of the Larry Bennett's the most popular picture on the website.

  • I began my Team Alex biking journey 6 years ago but began my Alex and the Graham family journey 30 years ago. It has been an honor to ride and raise money in memory of Alex and in honor of being able to help grant wishes for kids and families who suffer in ways that most of us cannot comprehend. Creating this "Family of Choice" has been an unexpected joy at this point in my life. I cannot wait to continue the Team Alex journey and continue to raise money and awareness for Make a Wish.

  • I joined Team Alex about 12 years ago because I didn’t want my husband to have all the fun! I was “Captain” of the 50-mile riders for a few years then decided to ride the 300! COVID kind of got in the way the last 3 years but, hopefully, this is the year! I love this family of choice and what we do for the Make-a-Wish kids! BTW, I’m the one in the middle between 2 of my favorite guys!

  • Member Since: 2013

    Jan Mack and Mark Canvasser convinced me to join Team Alex in 2013 after they rode their first year. Despite getting caught in a storm on day 2, then getting zero sleep the night before a cold and rainy day 3 because a bank robber was holed up in our hotel, I've been coming back ever since. I love this family by choice and I'm looking forward to many more years of riding - hopefully one day with my son Max (who joined his first WAM tour in 2016 when he was only 10 weeks old!)

  • It seems impossible that 25 years have gone by since my first WAM. I had no idea what I had signed up for but loved the physical challenge. Fast forward and it's not about the riding, which I still love, but the purpose of what we do. Making wishes come true for struggling children and their families is the main goal. I feel so fortunate to be able to participate in this event once again. It's a privilege to be part of this amazing group we call Team Alex!!

  • Member Since: 1999

    Proud to have been one of the founding team members in 1999.

    A lot slower these days and happy with my e-bike.

    So grateful to have known Alex and have seen all that she inspired.

  • Member Since: 2005

    Hello. My name is Janet Jacobs-Walt. My first WAM was in 2005 (the last year we started in Cheboygan!). I have participated each year (except for one when I was out due to an injury and another year due to a family wedding, ~18 years) The highlight of this ride for me (in addition to meeting all of the amazing wish families) is becoming part of the Team Alex "family by choice" an incredible group of dedicated, caring, fun, altruisitic people that I honestly can't imagine being without!

  • Member Since: 2021

    "Never knowing of WAM or Team Alex until 2021, I'm honored to now be a member of an incredible cause with an exceptional 'Family by choice'.

  • Member Since: 2018

    Curious, I stopped this stranger (RE) at Island lake wearing his Team Alex jersey. I found my happy place that day. I loved everything about the WAM experience and the spirit of friendship and community with Team Alex that on my first date with Tedd I endlessly talked about it. Passion + Purpose = Happiness

  • Member Since: 2012

    Hi, I’m David and this is my 12th Team Alex WAM season. Wish-A-Mile celebrates the Kids, and along the way sweeps us up into the wonders of their wishes. I count my blessings on being included in our family by choice.

  • Member Since: 2008

    aka “Disco Dave”

    My first WAM was 2008 with beloved Team Alex friends. I’m 53, very happily married to Judge Beth with two awesome daughters---Danielle and Maya. I’m the director of Hebrew Free Loan and I’m involved with many philanthropic causes in the Jewish and wider community. I love scenery rides on our Peloton, lifting and swimming at LA Fitness, reading books, attacking the New York Times crossword puzzle and partnering with my Detroit impact organization leader friends to help with racial equity, neighborhoods, healthcare, education, mentorship and economic opportunity. FUN FACT: I can pronounce the longest village in Wales, so ask me when we meet next!

  • So, I'm not a rider. My claim to fame is being Alex's mom. I have been supporting Team Alex since 1999. I am amazed by the Team Alex community and all the friendships that have ensued. Of course, all the wishes that have been provided are just monumental! My heart goes out to Team Alex.

  • Carmen is a girl’s name! Thank you Ron Elkus for introducing me to the team. Being a member gives me a sense of community, support, and lots of laughter. I am lucky to be a part of this amazing group.

  • Evan is a 5 time Team Alex rider and riding WAM with Team-Alex has been a wonderful experience. I originally started riding as a way to stay active during the summer. It’s turned into life-long fields and experiences I’ll never forget!

    My go-to riding partners are Joel Ungar, David Tushman, and Lowell Weiss.

  • Hello, that is me Cathy in the bottom left hand corner with some awesome people who helped pull me to the finish of the first hilly 100 miles on my 2nd WAM. Children are our most valuable treasure and it is a blessing to be able to do something to show them how much they are valued and loved. Riding WAM has been a gift to me as well and I am grateful to all of Team Alex who, whether they know it or not, have pulled me through some rough miles figuratively and literally. And what I have learned is I can't do life or biking alone. So grateful for you all💐 2023 is my 9th year!

  • Member Since: 1999

    Founding member on the team since 1999.

    I said to Judy, “You want to ride HOW FAR?”

    It’s a privilege to have to have ridden for so long with such devoted folks.

  • Member Since: 1999
    First Wam: 1994

    I rode WAM for 16 years, with 11 on Team Alex. My last year riding WAM was 2009. I am married to Randy "Bicycle Doctor" Martin and we did one extra WAM-MO down here in Missouri (we tried to start a version down here), where we have lived for 8 years. Coming home to Michigan this year for the ride and returning to Team Alex, so this will be my 17th WAM and 12th year on Team Alex.

  • Member Since: 2012

    I signed up for the first year riding WAM300 as a "training ride" for my first Ironman triathlon in 2012. I thought I was "one and done".

    One WAM300 ride with this team is all it takes to see the greater purpose of Make-a-Wish! And before you know it, you're a part of the family by choice!

    It's all about the kids! 💕 🚴‍♀️ 💕

  • Member Since: 2022

    I bought a bike during covid to ride around with Jamie. Before I knew it I was riding across Michigan and joining Team Alex. I enjoyed getting to know the team members this past year and I look forward to many more years of spending time with them and making wishes come true.

  • Member Since: 2015

    Lowell (not Jordan) Weiss. I ride WAM because it’s the most important, impactful, and fun thing I do all year. My wife is joining Team Alex this year and I hope someday that my kids will join too.

  • My name is Mark Kuhn. This will be my 18th year participating in WAM. I am fortunate to be able to ride with my nephew, Jordan Weiss on WAM for the last several years, and have also been able to ride a 50 with my wife, and have ridden WAM with my son, Daniel, and my daughter, Alana on a few WAMs. This is definitely a family by birth AND a family by choice experience.

  • Hi I’m Patti Taxe. I’d been road biking with several Team Alex riders for years before gathering up the courage to ride 300 miles. Now I’m celebrating my 10th year and every year I realize how special it is to be a part of this team and WAM .

  • I started riding in WAM in 2018 not knowing how much of an impact Make a Wish would have on me. At that time I didn't know anyone that was granted a wish personally but hearing the kids experiences and meeting them left a lifelong impression. I have since then known a wish kid personally and feel privileged to bring some joy to the all kids that could use these wishes. Joining Team Alex last year made the experience even greater!

  • After being inspired by my dad and sister (but mostly FOMO), I decided to join Team Alex in 2014. Just 1 year before, I picked up my dad from MIS, and asked him to join me for a “challenging” 4 mile bike ride when we got home that day. And now after 9 (ish) years of WAM, I’m proud of all miles I’ve ridden and money I’ve raised for wish kids!

  • Richard is a PhD student at the University of Michigan and a proud resident of Detroit’s Woodbridge neighborhood. Hailing originally from Leipzig, Germany, Richard uses his student visa mainly to explore the past, present, and future of Detroit - preferably on foot, by bike, or in the archive at Walter Reuther Library. This year is gonna be Richard‘s second year on Team Alex and, after a nine-year hiatus, his second attempt to master WAM-300. Richard is super excited to be part of the team again for which he is even willing to try some of those string cheese snacks!

  • Member Since: 2009

    Thank g-d I saw Landi Heller on my first WAM ride in 2008 because she asked - “Why are you on another team?” Because I didn’t know about Team Alex, I said. Fifteen years later and Fifty reasons why Family by Choice is not just a phrase, it’s a feeling. A really good feeling; the same reason I like to raise money and ride.

  • Member Since: 2013

    Hi I'm Ron Bittker

    I'm a Libra.

    My 1st WAM was 2013 when it was 30 degrees and raining and no Amish donuts... can't wait for year 11!

    Go Team Alex!

  • Member Since: 2011

    Received my 10 year jersey last year!

    I rode my first WAM 300 on a hybrid bicycle and can’t imagine how I did it. However, Team Alex is an inspiration, riding for wishes pushes the margins, and I love being a part of this amazing group.

    Welcome to the newbies. Enjoy the ride!!

  • Member Since: 2014

    After being inspired by my dad, I decided to join Team Alex in 2014. I like to think I inspired my sister Jenna to join, but I think she was just having FOMO. Jenna and I are best known as “The Garberettes” and will answer to either name. Team Alex is my family by choice, and WAM is the event I look forward to most each year. I hope to inspire my girls Avery (4) and Lila (2) to one day ride with me.

  • Member Since: 2017

    At the age of 43 I took up adventure racing and started riding mountain bikes. Several years later I started road cycling and began donating to members of Team Alex. It looked like too much fun, so I became part of the experience, and it changed my life.

  • My name is Lori and I’ve been on Team Alex since 2014. I never met Alex but I’m so inspired by her.

    I joined because my husband Mark would disappear all summer riding. I decided to join and maybe see him once in a while. I’ve made lifelong friends with the same intentions, to help the kids!

    I love my family by choice!

    Go Team Alex!

  • I started riding with Team Alex with my buddy Rick Woolman about 15 years ago and never looked back! Such a great group of people, some I would never have met! Now my wife, Gail, and my brother, Box, ride so it’s a family inside our Team Alex family! BTW, Gail doesn’t always ride with a crooked helmet!

  • My last WAM was in 2015. This will be my fifth ride for Make-A-Wish, a charity I hold close to my heart.

    I have witnessed the impact of this organization firsthand through the granted wishes for 2 relatives and a family friend’s child and saw the positive effect it had on their lives. WAM provides a challenge and combines my love for riding, running, and staying fit while raising money to bring joy and hope to children in need.

  • Ronnie Elkus here (on the left) with my birthday triplets (all 3 of us born within 48 hours) Lori & Bruce.

    It’s my 13th-year riding - my bar mitzvah ride!

    To think Beth Brandvain was going to make a shirt that said “If Ronnie Elkus can ride the WAM-so can you!!”

  • About 14 years ago, my riding mates, Scott Lewis and Dorie Leib, recruited me to join Team Alex and ride the WAM. As soon as I signed up, Scott dropped off a copy of When One Door Closes, the story of a remarkable young woman named Alex Graham. I read the book and I thought I got it. But, I didn’t really understand what the WAM was all about until I rode it for the first time.

    I feel like my story belongs to everyone. Because the WAM is so much bigger than ourselves, we approach it as a community. Through the community of Team Alex we support each other physically and emotionally. We form deep and lasting friendships ignited from a common goal; to honor the memory of Alex, who many of us never knew but feel like we did, and to bring some relief, respite and joy to children and their families.

    Although our efforts are to help others, we have all received a gift in return. I am extremely grateful to be a part of Team Alex to do what we do. See you on the roads.