Bike Forward and the extraordinary impact of caring, compassion, and commitment in supporting the Gilda’s Club Wisconsin community
By Andrea Plassman, Gilda’s Club volunteer
There is a quiet kind of strength that doesn’t announce itself with fanfare. Instead, it shows up in steady friendships, shared miles on a bike, and a deep belief that doing good is better when you do it together. It’s that kind of strength that is at the heart of Bike Forward.
Bike Forward is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit whose generosity impacts Wisconsin organizations that serve others. It began years ago as a Father’s Day bike ride between a father and son and has grown into a force for generosity, raising and distributing funds to others in need. In 2025, Gilda’s Club Wisconsin was the grateful recipient of Bike Forward’s generosity, receiving $25,000 — an extraordinary gift rooted in trust and shared purpose. For Gilda’s Club, that generosity helps ensure families facing cancer can access emotional and social support at no cost—support that can be a lifeline during the most uncertain moments.
The Soul
But what makes Bike Forward so amazing is its soul. That soul is its three founders: Dustin Checkai, Matt Roling, and Michael Schneeberger, and their deep and committed friendship. Their bond is built on years of shared experiences, mutual respect, and a willingness to put in the work together.
When asked what makes the relationship between the trio so powerful, Michael shares, “There is always humility, kindness, and the right amount of competitiveness to push each other for better. Ego is quickly humbled, but sometimes allowed and used to fuel our competitiveness to be better bikers, friends, and humans.”
Living out their desire to be better friends and humans has created an ever-increasing network of supporters. Even before Bike Forward was an official nonprofit, the group’s supporters gave generously, giving because they believed in the hearts of those who were doing the asking. And year after year, they continue to give. “They believe in what we’re trying to do,” explains Dustin, “and it doesn’t matter to them where we give the money, but they know that we’re going to do good things with it. We take that very seriously.”
The Journey
Bike Forward’s mission—to demonstrate selfless action through shared experiences and acts of goodwill—comes to life through these relationships. Each year, the three lead an ever-increasing number of close family and friends on a three-day ride that entails approximately 200 miles of cycling — and maybe two or three rounds of golf. “Because,” as Dustin points out, “you wouldn’t want to relax or anything!”
Bike Forward officially became a nonprofit in 2021. Since its beginning, the group has raised over $125,000 and so far has distributed over $100,000. Every dollar received is treated with intention and respect, with approximately 90% of all funds collected going directly to the mission of a receiving organization. The goal is to ensure that generosity translates into real impact for the organizations they support.
The Impact
In 2025, that impact reached Gilda’s Club. The decision for Bike Forward to support a cancer-focused organization was a deeply personal one when Michael’s father-in-law was diagnosed earlier that year. When Matt was invited to attend Gilda’s Club Wisconsin’s Backyard Barbecue in June, he witnessed firsthand the power of connection, support, and shared understanding, and recommended Gilda’s Club as the year’s gift recipient.
What no one could have known at the time was how personally meaningful that choice would soon become again. In early 2026, Michael’s own father was diagnosed with cancer, underscoring just how essential spaces like Gilda’s Club are not just in moments of crisis, but across the long, often unpredictable journey cancer brings to families.
The alignment was natural: two organizations rooted in the belief that showing up for one another changes lives. Gilda’s Club Wisconsin exists to ensure that no one faces cancer alone. Like Bike Forward, it is built on sustaining relationships—between members, families, caregivers, and a compassionate community that understands the long road cancer creates.
Bike Forward reminds us that meaningful impact doesn’t require perfection or scale—it requires people who care, who stay, and who keep moving forward together. The $25,000 gift to Gilda’s Club Wisconsin is more than a donation. It is a reflection of friendship multiplied, community activated, and the enduring power of what we can do together.
Learn More
To learn more about Bike Forward, visit www.bikeforwardwi.org.
Want to feel the power of our community that Matt witnessed at the Backyard BBQ? Join us at our Signature Event fundraisers this year. Learn more about our events here.
Are you interested in hosting your own fundraiser for Gilda’s Club Wisconsin? Learn more here.
Amazing job with this article! We are very blessed to make this connection.