The winter of 1999, four men banded together to raise money for ALS. Those four men were Dennis Nelson, Larry Bannor, Randy Bannor, and Greg Sorenson. Each of them inspired by a mutual friend who was recently diagnosed with ALS, soon evolving this effort into a mission as just five days before the start of the 1999 ALS Circle Tour, Greg Sorenson’s father was diagnosed with the disease.

Since 1999, and the beginning of the Blackwoods Blizzard Tour in the year 2000, we’ve been working alongside one another to combat the horrible disease most commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Below you will find the following pictures from the 1999 ALS Circle Tour. Today we are proud to look back on the dollars raised by the Blackwoods Blizzard Tour over the last 25 years, and to know that we’ve collectively helped those people who most certainly need the support. So many great people have been involved over the years volunteering their time to keep us all in the fight against ALS.

A sincere congratulations and token of appreciation to so many individuals and companies that have made a constant commitment over the last 25 years making the Blackwoods Blizzard Tour a successful fundraiser for ALS.

We sincerely thank everyone who has volunteered and donated in any way to this important cause, joining us in the fight against Lou Gehrig’s Disease. We also thank these four men for their commitment and igniting the flame in our mission to help those with ALS, as we continue to use snowmobiling as the conduit to fund the fight against the disease.

We simply say … Thank you

“THE ORIGINAL FOUR”

Copyright Disclaimer: We do not own the rights to this video. Video was created by Stokes Media House.

The Original Four on a Christmas tree trail across Lake Huron from Drummond Island, MI to Bruces Mines, Ontario. Pictured: The Original Four

Boarding the ferry from DeTour Village, MI to Drummond Island, MI. Pictured: Larry Bannor, Randy Bannor

Riding the “ice” enroute to Bruces Mine, Ontario. Pictured: Larry Bannor (left), Randy Bannor (right)

A trail side stop on a beautiful winter day. Each snowmobile manufacturer donated a sled for each rider

Original Four rider, Greg Sorenson, as all four riders gather at the Armory in Duluth, MN for a media kickoff, minutes before departing on their 10-day ride around Lake Superior

“Saddlebaggin” Definition: The Original Four. Pictured: Greg Sorenson (Ski-Doo), Dennis Nelson (Arctic-Cat)