PARADISE, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The highway to Hell wasn’t about rock music this weekend. It marked the starting point for a motorcycle ride to Paradise that raised money for Michigan veterans.

The 3rd Annual American Legion Riders (ALR) Hell to Paradise PTSD Awareness Ride, which raises awareness and support for veterans and first responders dealing with PTSD, was a success.

In 2023, veteran, event organizer, and PTSD sufferer Scott Igo wanted a way to help others like him. He said that sometimes people living with PTSD feel like they’re in hell while seeking paradise, so he and a few others brainstormed and came up with the idea for a motorcycle ride from Hell in Livingston County to Paradise in the eastern Upper Peninsula.

It took a year to plan the inaugural ride.

The first two rides, in 2024 and 2025, started in Hell, but this year the starting point was moved to nearby Stockbridge because of the sheer number of participants.

Last year, there were about 200 bikes and more than 300 riders. This year, there were 316 bikes and more than 500 riders.

The route took riders from Stockbridge through Hell on Friday morning, with an overnight stay at The Landing in Gaylord. On Saturday morning, they left Gaylord at 8 a.m. and crossed the Mackinac Bridge just after 9 a.m. on their way to Paradise. They spent a couple of hours there before heading to Sault Ste. Marie, where the community welcomed them with a police escort through downtown at 5 p.m. on their way to Kewadin Casino for the evening banquet and festivities.

Hell to Paradise motorcycle riders arrive in Sault Ste. Marie. Picture credit: Jim Lehocky.

Several communities along the more than 400-mile route provided police escorts, while supporters lined the roadways.

There were parts of the ride that held special meaning for Igo.

“There were a couple legs of the ride we named after somebody that’s lost their battle with PTSD. And a couple of legs we had that person’s parents’ names on their motorcycles upfront with us, and that really, really touched me. Then from Paradise to Sault Ste. Marie, we escorted a Vietnam veteran’s ashes, so there were so many emotional parts to the ride,” Igo explained.

The event was full of laughs, hugs, tears and reminders that life is precious.

Igo was especially moved by one heartbreaking story and wanted to recognize a family.

In a special moment during the banquet, Igo and the ALR honored London Izabella-Ryén Gadd by unanimously voting to dedicate the annual parade to her. Beginning this year, it will be known as London’s Tribute Parade. Organizers said they chose to carry London’s name, memory and fight with them every year.

London took her life at the age of 12 after overdosing on pills.

At the inaugural 2024 ALR Hell to Paradise Ride, London’s mother was getting married at the Paradise Community Center at the same time the riders were scheduled to arrive in Paradise.

Igo and the riders stopped to take a picture with the wedding party at the community center.

Four days later, London died by suicide.

Readers can find London’s story, written by her mother, Charay Gadd-Spencer, here.

Igo staid, “PTSD, you know, it’s out there. There are so many people out there that suffer with it. And it’s okay to not be okay, and that you are not alone. You know, you have so many people around you that understand it and that will help. You know, don’t hesitate to ask for help,” he  added.

Igo credited a strong administrative support team, along with numerous sponsors, for making the event possible.

“Every community we went through was supportive. Stockbridge did an awesome job for us with the American Legion there. Sanford’s American Legion, too. My primary sponsors were Michigan Bike Law, the Sault Ste. Marie CVB and Thunder Roads Magazine. There are so many to list that without them, this doesn’t happen,” Igo said.

Igo said just over $44,000 was raised this weekend, surpassing the $30,000 collected last year. The proceeds will be split between Talons Out Honor Flight and The Heroes Operation.

To cap off the weekend, attendees tossed more than $5,000 into the donation pot during the banquet, prompting Igo to have his signature teal mohawk shaved off on stage.