For the Rapids City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Kolban Nye, 7, loves sports, especially BMX bike racing. He hoped to see a live BMX race and wants to be a professional BMX rider when he grows up, but Kolban deals with health challenges from an autoimmune condition.

On June 25, Kids Wish Network, a children’s charity that grants wishes for kids with life-threatening illnesses, made Kolban’s dream come true. The organization gave the Augusta youth an exhilarating BMX racing experience at the Central Wisconsin BMX track in Wisconsin Rapids.

When Kolban and his family arrived at the BMX track, the organizers of the race surprised him with a BMX shirt in his favorite color lime green, personalized with his name on the back. He was also recognized as an honorary visitor for the Olympic Days BMX event.

Kolban was provided a full faced helmet and a BMX bike to ride on the track. After his initial training session, he went out on the course and rode with two instructors who helped him learn the track. After getting in some warm-up laps, Kolban participated in a practice race. He said that his favorite part was when the gates sprang open and he went flying down the very first hill.