Meet David LePere … Member of BOTO’s Big Ride Bike Team!

Raising Awareness for Adolescent Mental Health …
and Funds for the CCBS Fire Keepers Scholarship Fund!

In 2021, while the country was going through the pandemic, being healthy became more top of mind for many, and we were also more isolated than usual. Around that time, a friend of mine had a heart attack. It hit me hard. That’s when I committed to focus more on health and fitness. Our kids were getting older (requiring less of our time), so I bought a new bike, started riding again, and connected with a local riding club where I made a lot of new friends.

What are some of your favorite biking adventures?

In 2022, a friend invited me to do a 100-mile ride in the mountains of North Carolina; from Spartanburg to the top of Mt. Mitchell (the highest mountain on the East Coast). With 11,000 feet of climbing and 700 riders, it is known as the hardest ride in the southeast. I signed up, trained, and did it! I loved the adventure, especially riding with my friends.

Health / fitness was my main reason for getting back on the bike, but I discovered that socialization and friendships were just as important! When we do a ride, we train together, go through difficulties and trying situations, and get closer as a result. It’s a group of people doing life together. Sometimes it feels like the event is just the icing on the cake.

Now that our kids are grown up / off to college (etc.), my wife and I are having a bit of the empty-nester experience, so I decided to keep biking and aim for one big adventure a year. In 2023, I participated in “Unbound”, the biggest gravel race in the world held annually in Kansas with 5000 riders. I rode the 100-mile race which was all gravel riding / on dirt roads. Due to heavy rain, there were some extra challenges. I remember carrying my bike through four miles of an unrideable muddy section of the trail! Usually about 30% of participants don’t finish the ride. I couldn’t believe I did!

While planning for a 2024 bike event, my friends chose the 350-mile ride from Pittsburgh PA to Washington DC; a 5-day, off-road, trail ride through mountains and hills that intersects with the Appalachian trail. One challenge we’re sure to encounter is being on a bike seat, 6 to 8 hours a day / 5 days in a row!

What are you looking forward to on the 2024 ride?

I’m looking forward to seeing the changing countryside and meeting other bikers / people along the way. And I’m excited to share this experience with our CCBS team which includes six bikers and friends and staff who will be supporting us along the entire trail! I have no doubt that the size of this challenge will bring us all closer together.

What’s the bigger purpose of the ride?

The BEST news is that this ride has a purpose that is bigger than our own goals. It is going to raise funds for the CCBS Firekeepers Scholarship Fund, offering support to students to get the care that they need! Click HERE to donate or get more information.

To add more fun, our mascot BOTO the Bear is “in charge of the ride.” He put a map on the lodge bulletin board on campus so our students can cheer us on and track our daily progress! And, everyone can follow our adventure on Facebook, Instagram and our blog because BOTO is making sure that we post updates before, during and after the ride.