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#bekind and Check In

1/6/2018

10 Comments

 
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There have been  a lot of big changes that have raining down on me in the past few months. Some are wonderful and some have been tragic. It's time for me to tie all the changes together into something powerful.

I have wanted to ride the Colorado Trail (CT), in its entirety, for a long time. I've ridden many segments, but never put them all together. My time in Colorado is suddenly limited and it seems like now or never. I've decided if I'm going to ride the whole CT this summer, I might as well do it as quick as I can and I ought to just sign up for the Colorado Trail Race (CTR), a roughly 500-mile, self-supported mountain bike race. My good friend Porsha, constructively pointed out that if I'm going to go all-in with such a silly endeavor, I might as well do it for a good reason. So I decided to fund raise and try to spread some good while I'm pedaling myself into saddle-sore oblivion. I wanted to fund raise for a cause that is meaningful for me, so that I would have something bigger than myself pushing me on the trail. But I didn't know what that would be.

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So many of us have experienced loss. So many of us have experienced sorrow and depression. My personal experience with depression was fleeting and luckily, not a lasting period in my life. But that's not to say that I haven't been affected by it. I lost my estranged sister, Melissa, to suicide in 2009. In November, I lost a close friend, Tricia, to suicide.
When Melissa died, I thought that suicide was something that happened to people who are not the kindest or sparkliest. When Tricia took her life, I came to the sad realization that bright, shiny, loving people can fall victim to the darkness of depression, and I felt like I had to do something.

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I'm partnering with the Check-In Foundation, in order to increase suicide and brain injury awareness through mountain biking. I'm also proud to be working with VIDA MTB Series and Oveja Negra bikepacking.

My dear friend and coach, Liz Sampey, also knew and loved Tricia and has decided that that she is joining forces with me in this good cause. Liz also has a lot to share about brain health and mental illness. I have so much more to say about this project, but I wanted to start by letting everyone know what I'm up to. Now its time for me to get back to geeking out about bikepacking 101.

Please reach out if you have questions, ideas or requests and please, #bekind.

10 Comments
Karyn
1/7/2018 07:25:25 am

Woman, you are so amazing and I appreciate your adventurous and kind spirit! Keep riding friend!

Reply
Leigh Bowe
1/7/2018 07:39:08 am

Thanks Karyn! You're amazing too. Where abouts do you call home these days?

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Holly
1/7/2018 08:35:23 am

Yesss! This is awesome!! I'm excited to follow your adventures, hopefully talk bikepacking with you, and I'd love to help support your awesome cause however I can :)

Reply
Leigh
1/8/2018 09:39:32 am

Holly,
I was just about to ask ... when can we go on a training bikepacking trip?
Or just get together and talk about your knowledge on the subject?

Reply
magicalcritter link
1/7/2018 02:31:32 pm

L-
Are you going to set up a specific donation link for your event?

Are there training rides in the planning stages that people could supply handups?

Enjoy the journey! I hope to follow your lines in the future.

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Leigh
1/8/2018 09:40:55 am

Madge,

Yes and Yes!!!!!

Stay tuned. Kokopelli is definitely on my list of training rides, and happens to be in your backyard ;0)

Thanks lady,

L

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Emily K
1/7/2018 03:40:51 pm

This is so wonderful Leigh!! I would love to support your awesome cause! Sounds like it is going to be a great adventure! <3

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Matthew Juntunen link
1/7/2018 03:57:44 pm

I'm glad you're being part of the solution to this epic problem that is plaguing us all. My 14 year old daughter suffers from depression and off and I forget that she has been possibly Afflicted through a very severe concussion. Education and help is really the only way we can address and treat this problem that affects so many of us. Definitely be interested in sending some kind of donation! Keep up the great work and happy trails!
-Matthew

Reply
Leigh
1/8/2018 09:43:30 am

Matthew,

Thank you for sharing this. I'd love to hear more about your daughter. I am glad that you are aware that concussion often leads to depression, as so many of us don't know this. I hope she is getting all the help she needs.

Stay tuned for more information.

Leigh

Reply
Leigh
1/17/2018 10:29:13 am

The link for donations just became live: http://www.checkinfoundation.com/contribute.html

Thanks everyone!

Reply



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    Leigh Bowe

    Rides bikes, a lot. Heals people. Fond of thinking and knitting. 

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