Colorburst History
1983 Colorburst was created by Craig Campbell, a member of the Rapid Wheelmen Bicycle Club, as a memorial to Donna Ryskamp who was killed August 9, 1983 by a drunk driver. She had been cycling on a Kalamazoo county road when she was hit. Donna was 28 years old and had been a member of the Rapid Wheelmen since 1974. She was also a member of the Kalamazoo Bicycling Club. This first ride was on Saturday October 15th and started from Chief Hazy Cloud Park in Ada. Seventy-five people rode in the event. A total of $881.16 was donated to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and $456.16 was donated to the U.S. Olympic Committee. This included a $100 donation from the Rapid Wheelmen.
1984 Chairman: Craig Campbell. Started from Chief Hazy Cloud Park in Ada. 109 cyclists rode. No rain, overcast but dry. $928.76 was donated to MADD.
1985 Chairman: Craig Campbell. Registration was changed to the Kent County Conservation League on Conservation Avenue in Ada. 83 people pre-registered, but due to heavy rain and a temperature of 50 degrees, only 55 people rode. Of the 55 riders, 24 of them signed up the day of the event. $900.18 was donated to MADD.
1986 Chairman: Craig Campbell. Kent County Conservation League, Ada. Rain. $709.84 was donated to MADD.
1987 On August 29th Craig Campbell, 43 years old, was killed when a car driven by a drunk driver struck his motorcycle. Craig was driving the route for Colorburst 1987 before printing the map for the ride. Craig was survived by his wife, Pamela, and children, Christi (17) and Scott (13). Colorburst was held on October 3rd at Fallasburg Park shelter house and included a pancake breakfast. Norm Sevensma stepped in as chairperson for Craig. No rain but chilly. 200 riders participated. $1850 was donated to MADD.
1988 Chairpersons: Al & Sue Brewer. Fallasburg Park. $2500 was donated to MADD.
1989 Chairpersons: Al & Sue Brewer. Fallasburg Park. 339 riders. $4315.08 donated to MADD.
1990 Chairpersons: Al & Sue Brewer. Fallasburg Park. 505 riders. $6200 donated to MADD.
1991 Chairpersons: Al & Sue Brewer. Fallasburg Park. 370 riders. $3866.77 to MADD.
1992 Chairpersons: Al & Sue Brewer. Fallasburg Park. 300 riders. $2556.06 to MADD.
1993 Chairpersons: Al & Sue Brewer. Fallasburg Park. 204 riders. $2262 to MADD.
1994 Chairpersons: Pat & Penny McNicholas. Fallasburg Park. No rain. $1689.56 to MADD.
1995 Chairpersons: Pat & Penny McNicholas. Fallasburg Park. 210 riders. $2000 to MADD.
1996 Chairpersons: Pat & Penny McNicholas. Fallasburg Park. 280 riders. $1508.96 to MADD and $1393.96 donated to the Rockford Police Department.
1997 Chairpersons: Pat & Penny McNicholas. Fallasburg Park. $1046.48 to MADD and $806.49 donated to Kent County Sheriff bicycle patrol.
1998 Chairperson: Pamela Campbell. Fallasburg Park. 244 riders. $1657.12 to MADD and $1425.13 donated to the Ionia Police Department.
1999 Chairperson: Pamela Campbell. Fallasburg Park. 239 riders. $3274.01 to MADD.
2000 Chairperson: Carolyn Peacock. Fallasburg Park. 345 riders. $3533.59 to MADD.
2001 Chairperson: Carolyn Peacock. Fallasburg Park. 167 actual riders. $897.98 to MADD of which $400 were in-kind donations. Rainy weather.
2002 Chairperson: Carolyn Peacock. Fallasburg Park. 605 participants including volunteers. About 558 actual riders. $3900 to MADD.
2003 Chairperson: Carolyn Peacock. Fallasburg Park. 573 participants including volunteers. $4344.28 donated to MADD. $1844.28 donated to the Sparta area police. $1000 donated to the Lowell area police. Excellent weather, an Indian summer.
2004 Chairperson: Carolyn Peacock. Fallasburg Park. 719 participants including volunteers. The highest number of participants. $5221 donated to MADD. $1230 donated to Lowell police, $860 to Grand Rapids police, $810 to Rockford police, $410 to Sparta police, and $410 to Kentwood police. Excellent weather.
2005 Chairperson: Carolyn Chapman. Fallasburg Park. 670 participants including volunteers. $5851.50 donated to MADD. $2000 donated to Cedar Springs Police, $1000 to Sparta Police, $500 to Lowell Police, and $500 to Rockford Police. Chilly temperatures but dry.
2006 Chairperson: Carolyn Chapman & Pamela Campbell. Fallasburg Park. 666 participants including volunteers. Highest profit to date. $4392.67 donated to MADD. $3236.67 donated to Elves & More. $725.55 donated to the Lowell Police, $725.55 to the Sparta Police, $1000 to the Rockford Police, and $725.56 to the Cedar Springs police. Lovely warm, sunny fall weather.
2007 Chairpersons: Josh and Amy Duggan. Fallasburg Park. ~700 participants including volunteers. Record funds raised. $5096 donated to MADD. $4097 donated to West Michigan Elves and More. $4097 donated to West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition. Record high temperatures, 85 degrees and sunny.
2008 Chairpersons: Josh and Amy Duggan. Fallasburg Park. 820 participants including volunteers. Record funds of $14,082.00 raised. Distribution: $500.00: Students Against Destructive Decisions - Lowell High School,$1000.00: National Ride of Silence, $4860.67: MADD-Kent County, $3860.67: West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition, $643.44: Cedar Springs Police Department, $643.44: Kent County Sheriff Department, $643.44: Sparta Police Department, $643.44: Rockford Police Department, $643.45: Kentwood Police Department, $643.45: Lowell Police Department Perfect weather, mid 70's and sunny.
2009 Chairpersons: Josh and Amy Duggan. Fallasburg Park. 660 participants including volunteers. $11,258 raised. $250 Students Against Destructive Decisions - Lowell High School; $250 League of American Bicyclists; $662 League of Michigan Bicyclists; $4032 MADD-Kent County; $3032 West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition; $3032 The Motion Initiative. Typical October weather; great fall color display. Temps started in the mid- to upper-30s when the first participants departed. With highs in the mid-60s, rides enjoyed the plentiful soup options when they returned. Many sought out spots near the fireplace and we burned through all the wood provided in the shelter.
2010 Chairpersons: Josh and Amy Duggan. Fallasburg Park. $11,555 raised. League of Michigan Bicyclists - $673; MADD-Kent County - $4128; West Michigan Trails and Greenways Coalition - $3127; The Motion Initiative - $3,127; Greater GR Bike Coalition - $500.