July 5, 2026 – Archibald, OH – JoJo Wilkins from Union City, MI, is the very definition of a Rotarian – Service before self. I’ve never seen a guy cut hair and work the phone like he did. JoJo let me sit in his third chair and cool my heels after a tough 95-degree day on the bike. Made it 37 miles from Richland, MI, to Union City. JoJo was trying to find a church or cooling center where I could spend the night. After an hour of conversation about the history of the shop (laundromat, tanning salon, video store), the Detroit Tigers vs. Milwaukee Brewers, and the resurgence of mullets we settled on his shop. He dropped the key in my hand, gave me a big bear hug and told me to keep in touch. “Just lock the door when you leave and put the key under the recycling cart.” I went to sleep under the watchful eye of three trophy bucks, a lot of Detroit Tigers memorabilia, and the remote to control the air conditioning.
Trying to find my groove and get in some good miles. The secret was to leave at 6 a.m. That means cooler temps, an awesome sunrise, and great country roads that smell like sweet freshly cut hay.
Prior to Union City was the cozy community of Galesburg. Small, tight-knit city of 2000 people between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, MI. 
The saying on the sign at the city limit is “A great place to raise a family.”
Found the Galesburg Meat Company. Set to celebrate 50 years in business. “We’ve always been at this location,” said Audrey, still working the till at 88. “We built new about 10 years ago after lightning struck and fire destroyed the building.” Audrey worked alongside her son Mark and grandson Jake.
“I had a bike growing up. It was blue and had a bell,” she said… her voice rising an octave with excitement.
I bought some of their homemade special, dill pickle jerky.
Onto Coldwater, MI, designated the county seat of Branch County in 1842. From 3 miles out of town you can see it. A pure white church spire piercing the sky.
The steeple is 185-feet and part of First Presbyterian Church which organized in 1837, the same year Coldwater became a village. The church was Romanesque revival style brick, built in 1869 at a cost of $40,104. Sojourner Truth, a slave who escaped to freedom in 1826, spoke at the church in 1877. 
Way up top and to the right, when no one was looking, a tree started growing out of the brick at the church.
Dutch Uncle Donuts. A tradition in Coldwater, MI. Glass cases full of frosted donuts. The red, white, and blue sprinkles were a favorite.
“Don’t park there… that’s my drive-thru lane,” said a lady as I perched my bike at the side of the building. It was the clerk, a smiley Asian woman who worked the shop alone and did everything.
Where is the “Dutch Uncle” I asked. She waved her hand at me like… Ohhhh stop kidding around. “Are you alone,” she asked. “That’s the best.. then you can do what you want.”
I told her my name but she refused to tell me hers. “When people know your name, then they tell you what to do.”
I dubbed her Sandy… she kept the shop humming with a no-nonsense personality.
Side notes from the road…
-Long day. 80 miles from Union City, Mi to Archibald, Ohio. Sunny, hot, and… oh, there was a bee in my bra. That’s the most action I’ve had in a long time. Did not get stung. At least it wasn’t a tick.
-Speaking of insects. Look at this beautiful Luna moth. Saw it on the wall at the Dollar Store in Union City, MI. Fun fact: Luna months have a lifespan of 10 days. They have no mouth and live off the energy from when they were a caterpillar.
- Coldwater, MI, was also the place with the story about Old Sam, the horse who served during the Civil War and at the end of his life, was secretly buried by veterans under the cover of darkness with his fellow soldiers in Oak Grove Cemetery.
The 2026 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raises money every year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.
Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community. Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2026.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.
Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095
Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432
