What started as a crazy idea turned into 8,552 kilometers (5,314 miles) of faith, asphalt, breakdowns, kindness, and people we’ll never forget.
In the summer of 2025, we left Poland on two aging Harley-Davidsons, not as professional adventurers or record chasers, but as two teachers, parents, and riders who couldn’t stay indifferent. Our goal was simple and painfully important: to give hope to one brave boy fighting cancer.
Michał Milczarek is a 15-year-old boy from Poland, who’s been fighting neuroblastoma, a cruel and relentless cancer, for seven years. His battle is quiet. Daily. Exhausting. And it’s far from over.
We knew that saving him wouldn’t come from likes, views, or empty words. It would come from people. From telling his story over and over again, until someone listened — and then someone else. So we packed our saddlebags with flyers, put on T-shirts with a QR code linked to Michał’s story, took our 12-year-old son with us, and rode.
Did we raise enough? Not yet. The fundraiser grew thanks to strangers, riders, mechanics, waitresses, shop owners, and people following us online. But Michał still needs treatment. And help.
Anyone who wants to help can do so here.
More info: oaksnwheels.com | Facebook
The route: Europe, one human story at a time
Table of Contents
- 1. The route: Europe, one human story at a time
- 2. Every day, we shared updates on our Facebook page Oaks’n’Wheels, and every day, strangers responded
- 3. This wasn’t a holiday, it was a test of endurance, trust, weather, machines, and ourselves
- 4. Green hills, broken brakes, and unexpected heroes
- 5. In Romania, the Carpathians tested our skills and nerves
- 6. The Transfăgărășan and Transalpina roads were breathtaking and unforgiving
- 7. In Bucharest, our Fat Boy needed urgent brake repairs, and when the H-D Bucharest team heard why we were riding, they fixed it free of charge
- 8. Crossing into Turkey, we expected heat, traffic, and chaos
- 9. What we didn’t expect was generosity on a level that left us speechless
- 10. At Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, a man named Abdullah handed us a scarf for Michał
- 11. We visited Harley-Davidson dealerships and met Tarhan Telli, a legend in the custom bike world, known for builds featured in The Expendables movies
- 12. He welcomed us like family, which is a moment that stayed with us
- 13. After Istanbul, Greece felt like a deep breath
- 14. Blue skies, cicadas, the Aegean Sea
- 15. In Thessaloniki, Adrian’s Road King needed a fuel pump
- 16. Then came Albania — wild, raw, and honest
- 17. Twisting roads and towering mountains
- 18. Lake Ohrid and Lake Shkodër
- 19. Fresh fish, and people who welcomed us like old friends
- 20. Some places don’t just impress you, they pull you back
- 21. Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia brought perfect riding weather and roads that make you forget time
- 22. Dubrovnik was the first highlight: a city of marble and history
- 23. Mostar was the other: a city of stone, rubble, and hope
- 24. These were days full of emotion, history, and extraordinary people
- 25. And the route gave us everything: the views, the challenges, and people we’ll never forget
- 26. In Bosnia, we met a Polish biker riding a 1937 Harley Knucklehead
- 27. Through Slovenia’s vineyards, into Italy, where motorsport history lives on cobblestones and courage
- 28. Where motorsport history lives on cobblestones and courage
- 29. At the Mille Miglia Museum, we were reminded how racing once meant raw bravery, no electronics, no safety nets
- 30. From there, through the Mont Blanc tunnel into France
- 31. We visited Annecy, Dijon, Amiens
- 32. Meeting riders who opened their garages, shared meals, and donated without hesitation
- 33. In Belgium, we reunited with H.O.G. friends
- 34. In The Netherlands, we stopped at Dutch Hills dealership
- 35. In Germany, Thunderbike in Hamminkeln gave Michał a hat and T-shirt, which we delivered to him right after we returned home
- 36. Then came Germany’s autobahns
- 37. No speed limits, just gratitude and a long ride back to Poland
- 38. Coming home wasn’t about unpacking bikes
- 39. It was about meeting Michał again
- 40. Together with his mom, grandmother, and grandfather, we gave him everything we had collected along the way
- 41. What inspired the Moto Kurier journey adn how did it help raise funds for mikołaj’s cancer treatment?
- 42. Two Polish Teachers, 8,500 KM, and a Harley-Davidson Crusade for Hope
- 43. The Journey Begins: A Call to Action
- 44. Route and Challenges: Conquering Europe on Two Wheels
- 45. The Power of Social Media and Community Support
- 46. Fundraising Results and Mikołaj’s Treatment
- 47. The Legacy of Moto Kurier: Inspiring Others
- 48. Supporting Similar Causes: How You Can Help
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
We started in Komorniki, Poland, supported from day one by local residents and authorities who believed this mission mattered. From there, the road carried us through: Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, and finally, back to Poland.
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
This wasn’t a holiday, it was a test of endurance, trust, weather, machines, and ourselves
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Green hills, broken brakes, and unexpected heroes
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
In Romania, the Carpathians tested our skills and nerves
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
The Transfăgărășan and Transalpina roads were breathtaking and unforgiving
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
In Bucharest, our Fat Boy needed urgent brake repairs, and when the H-D Bucharest team heard why we were riding, they fixed it free of charge
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Crossing into Turkey, we expected heat, traffic, and chaos
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
What we didn’t expect was generosity on a level that left us speechless
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
At Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, a man named Abdullah handed us a scarf for Michał
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
We visited Harley-Davidson dealerships and met Tarhan Telli, a legend in the custom bike world, known for builds featured in The Expendables movies
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
He welcomed us like family, which is a moment that stayed with us
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
After Istanbul, Greece felt like a deep breath
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Blue skies, cicadas, the Aegean Sea
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
In Thessaloniki, Adrian’s Road King needed a fuel pump
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Then came Albania — wild, raw, and honest
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Twisting roads and towering mountains
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Lake Ohrid and Lake Shkodër
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Fresh fish, and people who welcomed us like old friends
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Some places don’t just impress you, they pull you back
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia brought perfect riding weather and roads that make you forget time
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Dubrovnik was the first highlight: a city of marble and history
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Mostar was the other: a city of stone, rubble, and hope
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
These were days full of emotion, history, and extraordinary people
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
And the route gave us everything: the views, the challenges, and people we’ll never forget
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
In Bosnia, we met a Polish biker riding a 1937 Harley Knucklehead
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Through Slovenia’s vineyards, into Italy, where motorsport history lives on cobblestones and courage
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Where motorsport history lives on cobblestones and courage
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
At the Mille Miglia Museum, we were reminded how racing once meant raw bravery, no electronics, no safety nets
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
From there, through the Mont Blanc tunnel into France
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
We visited Annecy, Dijon, Amiens
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
In Belgium, we reunited with H.O.G. friends
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
In The Netherlands, we stopped at Dutch Hills dealership
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
In Germany, Thunderbike in Hamminkeln gave Michał a hat and T-shirt, which we delivered to him right after we returned home
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Then came Germany’s autobahns
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
No speed limits, just gratitude and a long ride back to Poland
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Coming home wasn’t about unpacking bikes
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
It was about meeting Michał again
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
Together with his mom, grandmother, and grandfather, we gave him everything we had collected along the way
Image credits: Oaks’n’Wheels
What this journey left us with were memories and friendships across Europe, and lessons we’ll carry forever – especially the ones shared with our 12-year-old son: gratitude for every coffee, bed, donation, smile, and hug; faith in the goodness of people; humility in the face of nature and human struggle; and a deep sense of brotherhood – the H.O.G. spirit felt everywhere, from garages to gas stations. People never asked why we were riding, only “What can we do?” And that’s why we believe in a happy ending.
With love and road dust,
Anna & Adrian Dąbek
What inspired the Moto Kurier journey adn how did it help raise funds for mikołaj’s cancer treatment?
Two Polish Teachers, 8,500 KM, and a Harley-Davidson Crusade for Hope
The open road often symbolizes freedom and adventure, but for two Polish teachers, it became a lifeline for a young boy battling brain cancer. In a remarkable display of compassion and determination, Krzysztof ‘Krzyś’ Baran and Michał ‘Misiek’ Kołodziejczyk embarked on an extraordinary motorcycle journey spanning over 8,500 kilometers across Europe, all to raise funds for the treatment of 8-year-old Mikołaj.
The Journey Begins: A Call to Action
Mikołaj’s diagnosis sparked a wave of support within his community.However, the cost of specialized treatment, including proton therapy, proved substantial. Conventional fundraising methods weren’t generating the necessary funds quickly enough. Krzyś and Misiek,both history teachers and avid motorcycle enthusiasts,decided to leverage their passion for riding to make a difference. Their plan: a trans-European motorcycle trip on vintage harley-Davidson motorcycles, documenting their journey and soliciting donations along the way. The initiative quickly gained traction online, becoming known as “Moto Kurier” (Motorcycle Courier).
Route and Challenges: Conquering Europe on Two Wheels
The pair began their epic ride in Poland in May 2023,navigating through Germany,the Czech Republic,Austria,Italy,France,Belgium,the Netherlands,and Denmark. The route wasn’t chosen for scenic beauty alone; it was strategically planned to maximize visibility and opportunities for fundraising events.
Their motorcycles, classic Harley-Davidsons, presented their own set of challenges. These weren’t modern, high-performance machines; they were lovingly maintained vintage bikes requiring constant attention and repair.
* Mechanical Issues: Frequent breakdowns were inevitable. The teachers carried basic tools and relied on the kindness of strangers – and local Harley-Davidson dealerships – for more complex repairs.
* Weather Conditions: They faced scorching heat in Southern Europe and torrential rain in the North, testing their endurance and the reliability of their bikes.
* Physical Strain: Riding for hours each day, often on challenging roads, took a meaningful physical toll.
Despite these obstacles, their resolve remained unwavering, fueled by the thought of Mikołaj and the hope of providing him with the treatment he desperately needed.
Moto Kurier’s success was largely driven by its strong online presence. Krzyś and misiek meticulously documented their journey on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, sharing photos, videos, and updates on Mikołaj’s condition.
* Live Updates: Regular posts kept supporters informed of their progress and the challenges they faced.
* Emotional Connection: Sharing Mikołaj’s story and the impact of donations created a powerful emotional connection with potential donors.
* Viral Reach: The story resonated with people across Europe, going viral and attracting media attention.
Local communities along their route also played a crucial role, organizing welcome events, providing accommodation, and donating to the cause.Harley-Davidson clubs across europe offered assistance, providing mechanical support and rallying their members to contribute.
Fundraising Results and Mikołaj’s Treatment
The Moto Kurier campaign exceeded all expectations,raising over 1.8 million PLN (approximately €400,000) in donations. This incredible sum covered the full cost of Mikołaj’s proton therapy treatment in Germany, as well as ongoing medical expenses and rehabilitation.
Mikołaj underwent treatment throughout late 2023 and 2024. While the journey is ongoing, recent reports indicate positive progress in his fight against cancer. The funds raised not only provided access to life-saving treatment but also offered Mikołaj and his family immense hope and support during a difficult time.
The Legacy of Moto Kurier: Inspiring Others
The story of Krzyś and Misiek’s motorcycle journey has become a symbol of hope, compassion, and the power of community. It demonstrates how individuals can make a significant difference in the lives of others through dedication and a willingness to go the extra mile.
* Charitable Inspiration: Moto Kurier has inspired other charitable initiatives, encouraging people to use their passions to support worthy causes.
* Motorcycle Community: The campaign has strengthened the bonds within the motorcycle community, showcasing its generosity and willingness to help those in need.
* Raising Awareness: The story has raised awareness about the challenges faced by families dealing with childhood cancer and the importance of access to specialized treatment.
Supporting Similar Causes: How You Can Help
Inspired by the Moto Kurier story? Here are ways to support children battling cancer and other serious illnesses:
- Donate to Reputable Charities: Research and donate to organizations dedicated to childhood cancer research and patient support.
- Volunteer Your time: Offer your skills and time to organizations providing assistance to families affected by illness.
- organize a Fundraising Event: Use your talents and passions to create a fundraising event for a cause you care about.
- Spread Awareness: Share stories like Moto kurier to inspire others and raise awareness about important issues.
