Come get your gravel groove on at the Pumpkin Holler Gravel Smasher race event on October 17th in the beautiful J.T. Nickel Preserve northeast of Tahlequah, Ok. There are three course options of 30 miles, 60 miles, or 70 miles. Whether you are new to gravel bikes or a seasoned gritty gravel biker, come join Team Suicide Prevention for this wonderful opportunity to have a great gravel bike experience in the great outdoors under the open sky.
Mark your calendar and sign up now for the 2021 Blazing Saddles bike event. There is a distance option for all levels of bike riders. As they say, โhave it your wayโ with route options for a 15, 30, 43, 62, or even the 100 miler. See details below regarding each route below or better yet, go ahead and download the routes as you prepare yourself to join your friends for great fun on August 21st. The event is Saturday, August 21st and starts at 7:00AM. If the recent weather patterns continue, be sure and prepare yourself with proper hydration and nutrition. There will be rest stops as well.
Sign-up at https://www.bikereg.com/bixby-blazing-saddles-ride
Bixby Blazing Saddles' goal is to bring awareness to mental illness and suicide. We believe there is hope and happiness for those currently struggling. Join Bixby Blazing Saddles in the fight for life. Ride a bike...
Bixby Blazing Saddles 2021 will be in honor of Stacy Jacobs. ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฏ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง.
๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐
๐
๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐
๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐๐:
- The ride will serve as a warm-up to Hotter than Hell Ride which is a week later.
- Distance range from 15 - 100 miles.
- Rest stops will be provided every 15 miles (estimated).
- Free pizza and cold drinks will be provided following the ride.
- Non-refundable registration fee: $29.95 for sign-up by August 7th. Then itโs $34.95
- Sign-up at https://www.bikereg.com/bixby-blazing-saddles-ride.
- Location: Bixby Bicycles and Accessories 8315 East 111th St S, Bixby, OK 74008
For more information contact Bixby Bicycles: 918.943.6700
The ride is supported by a group of amazing sponsors.
Bixby Bicycles
Team Suicide Prevention
Hope is Oxygen
NEFF BREWERY
Vincent Anthony Jewelry
Trader Joeโs
Wahoo Trainer
Walmart
Hard Rock Casino
Air Co
Time to Shine Car Wash
All State Insurance
๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐
๐
๐๐๐ ๐น๐๐
๐ ๐น๐๐๐๐๐:
- 100 mile route: bit.ly/3iYwlWk
- 62 mile route: bit.ly/37filly
- 43 mile route: bit.ly/3yjfjce
- 30 mile route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2841070391820142094
- 15 mile route: bit.ly/3zWguhQ
While this is the epitome of an outdoor event, we ask that we all observe appropriate precautions to keep and stay safe when interacting with others during this event.
Keep Safe, Stay Safe.
cj
After over eighteen months that have included thousands of miles of training on our bikes and an expansive logistics and planning effort, Team Suicide Prevention was successful in finishing the 2021 Race Across America on June 27th after a 3,037 mile bike race that started in Oceanside, California on June 19th and finishing in Annapolis, Maryland. The official finishing time was 7d 19h 34m. Our team consists of 8 racers and 8 crew members. Our racers are Co-Captain Bill Taitano, Co-Captain Eric Gomez, April Meyer, Katy Rich, Mike Guillen, Kevin Smith, Joel Kantor, and Craig Jackson. Our amazing crew members are Donna Wilcox, Carol Hughes, Trish Guier, Heather Borsuk, Mindy Stiger, Carter Newcomb, Charlotte Lindley, and Ashley Robertson.
From our personal experiences, this race certainly lived up to itโs billing as the toughest bike race in the world.
There are literally hundreds of photos and videos that were captured during this epic adventure which will be shared in upcoming posts. The images below are just a small sample of whatโs to come in future posts.
The video included in this post was taken at the Race Across America finish line and includes interviews with the RAAM officials regarding our motivations to participate in this epic race along with some of our personal experiences that we had during the race.
We sincerely wish to thank our supporters and sponsors who contributed to our success. Our outreach throughout our journey through twelve states provided us the opportuniuty to interact with hundreds of individuals who shared their stories with us. Our team will forever be grateful for the opportunity to spread the message of hope and healing to individuals and families whose lives have been impacted by suicide or mental health issues.
While the Race Across America event is behind us, the mission of Team Suicide Prevention is far from over as there is much more work to be done. In upcoming posts, we will be sharing with you what our strategy and next steps are to spread hope and awareness to help those in need.
Thank You
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy.
Peace
cj
This past Wednesday evening, Team Suicide Prevention and Hope is Oxygen were at Bixby Bicycles to receive generous donations from the owner, Buster Brown. Not only did Buster finish the Ironman Tulsa Triathlon on the previous Sunday, but he had also taken time from running his business and his heavy ironman training schedule to set up a volunteer network for the Ironman Tulsa event. He has partnered with our team on several events over the last year raising money for the prevention of suicide.
Weโve spent a lot of time sharing what Team Suicide Prevention is preparing for to get to the starting line for Race Across America on June 19th. Itโs also important to know that there are other really awesome bike events coming up during the coming weeks and months that are also targeted at raising awareness and spreading hope for some very special causes here in our local community. Please take a moment to check out these events and lend your support as well.
This past weekend, the entire Team Suicide Prevention team assembled for a 147 mile round trip ride from Tulsa to Perkins, Oklahoma utilizing all eight riders and eight crew members in four vehicles. On the outbound leg to Perkins, leapfrog rider exchanges were executed every ten miles and every eight miles on the return leg. Race Across America starts in 80 days and the team is keenly focus on preparations to be successful in this 3,000 mile bike race across America.
Approximately 101 days from now, (June 19), Team Suicide Prevention will be lining up at the starting line for Race Across America 2021 in Oceanside, California for the 3,000 mile race across twelve states to finish in Annapolis, Maryland in less than nine days later. 3,000 Miles is a long way and a single map just doesnโt do the route justice. Letโs take a closer look at the route.
Team Suicide Prevention just released a new video clip showcasing our team. We hope you enjoy it and please share it with your family, friends, and colleagues. The start of RAAM is just 108 days away. We are training hard and are busy with logistics and continue fundraising to get to the starting line. If you havenโt already, please consider a tax deductible donation to support our team and our mission
We are happy to report that the Sequoyah Gravel Adventure Events are now scheduled on February 27th and 28th. The Gravel Bike Adventure (80,60,30 miles) is Saturday, February 27th. The Trail Run Adventure (15k, 10k, 5k) is Sunday, February 28th. Location: Sequoyah State Park, 17131 Park 10, Hulbert, OK 74441
The place to be for Adventure is at the the Sequoyah Gravel Adventure Events on February 13th and 14th. The Gravel Bike Adventure (80,60,30 miles) is Saturday, February 13th. The Trail Run Adventure (15k, 10k, 5k) is Sunday, February 14th. Location: Sequoyah State Park, 17131 Park 10, Hulbert, OK 74441
Check out our awesome lineup of our amazing sponsors.
Routes for all of the events have been posted on the site and are available to review and download.
The race directors are closely watching the COVID-19 pandemic and planning precautions to keep safe. We must all focus on being responsible in practicing social distance and staying safe. We will update this information if this guidance changes. At the Sequohah Gravel Adventure, they will keep all activities outdoors, and implement social distancing (including limiting crowd size), require masks in certain situations, and provide additional cleaning supplies and other precautions at the aid stations. Additional details will be provided prior to the event.
Thank You
cj
Whether your adventure is pedaling your bike down new roads or exploring pine-covered running trails on foot, the place to be is at the the Sequoyah Gravel Adventure Events on February 13th and 14th. The Gravel Bike Adventure (80,60,30 miles) is Saturday, February 13th. The Trail Run Adventure (15k, 10k, 5k) is Sunday, February 14th. Location: Sequoyah State Park, 17131 Park 10, Hulbert, OK 74441
In a must read article by Roman Stubbs of the Washington Post, he writes about the tragic death of John Bruns and Heather Wendlinโs daughter, London from suicide this past September. London, an avid volleyball player, was only 13 years old.
He goes on to write that โYouth suicide was already at a record high before the pandemic โ with increases among teens every year from 2007 to 2017, it is the second-leading cause of death among high-school-aged students โ and some researchers fear the mental health consequences of coronavirus restrictions on not only schools but also sports could help elevate those numbers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a survey recently asking young adults whether they had thought about killing themselves in the past 30 days; 1 of 4 said they had.โ
The entire article can be accessed by clicking HERE.
It is of the utmost importance that we all remain vigilant of those in our relationship circles for signs of emotional distress and to not be afraid to ask questions and offer help. You can make a difference in someoneโs life.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). You can also text a crisis counselor at 741741.
Our Team Suicide Prevention Family would like to wish you all a safe and healthy Merry Christmas. We certainly understand that we are in unprecedented times with many of our families, friends, and colleagues experiencing untold suffering and despair. Our prayers go out to all who have been impacted by the Covid crisis.
Be safe! Stay safe!
cj
