5th Annual Cycle For Michael Charity Bike Ride

To honor and remember Michael La Marca, the Real Decent Foundation will be hosting the 5th Annual Cycle for Michael bike ride on August 16th, 2025. The Real Decent Foundation was created by Michael's family to uphold his legacy, combining his continuous pursuit of education with his passion and career in solar energy. To date, the Cycle for Michael event has raised almost $85,000! We are excited to partner with the University of Michigan's School of Engineering again this year. All money raised from the event will be added to the Michael B. La Marca Energy Innovation Fund, an endowed fund that provides financial awards to passionate students focused on the field of renewable energy. We believe this is the perfect way to honor Michael's legacy by combining his fervent love for his alma mater with his dedication to solar energy.

As many of you know, Michael was an exceptional student throughout his life, excelling in math and sciences. He studied Physics while at the University of Michigan before earning a PhD in Mathematics from Arizona State University. This background fueled Michael’s path in renewable energy and led to his last role as Director of Solar Fleet Performance for Sunnova Energy. Outside of education and work, Michael developed a love for cycling while working with a research team in the Netherlands during his post-graduate studies. After returning home to the US, he continued to train and participate in several charity cycling events including the MS 150 ride and the 1Mission Bikes Fight Poverty ride.



This year’s Cycle for Michael event will take place on August 16^th in Ortley Beach, NJ. The attendance and participation over the past three years has been incredible and so touching and we hope you can join us again in-person. For those who cannot, we would love for you to participate by riding wherever you may be and helping us raise funds in Michael’s honor for a fantastic organization. Just hop on a bike, blast some Guns N' Roses, and smile thinking of Michael! Be sure to post a photo or video to the Real Decent Foundation Instagram page at @RealDecentFoundation letting us know you rode for Michael and donated to the Real Decent Foundation on his behalf. For more information, please go to therealdecentfoundation.org.

Thanks,

The La Marca's

Please Note: Gifts to endowed funds will be administered as permanent endowment under Michigan law and University policies; excess distributions may be added to principal for reinvestment or used later for the purpose(s) for which the fund was established.