Live A Big Life Ride

living big to create opportunity

Blog Post

The origin of “Live A Big Life”

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Cameron Howe, the inspiration behind Living Big

The Live A Big Life Fund was created in the fall of 2012 in memory of Cameron Howe, a young man who passed away at the age of 20. Cameron was a snowboarder, and when he passed his family chose STOKED as an avenue to honor their son.

Cameron’s parents, Jim and Patti, have done a tremendous and admirable act in turning this tragic event into a catalyst to inspire others to live a big life, just like Cameron did. In the words of Cameron’s mother, this is about the Live A Big Life idea that has inspired our bike ride + fundraiser.

There was always something about Cameron that seemed BIG – his intelligence, his curiosity, his passions, his creativity – he even grew to 6’ 3’.  He tested every boundary – especially with things physical.

If he had a passion for something, and he had many, he would pursue it with endless energy until he mastered it – and most often he did.  Skateboarding, boogie boarding, wake boarding, skim boarding, snowboarding, surfing – you got it – he liked boards. For Cameron, they provided a challenge and a sense of freedom that he always enjoyed, as well as an important life lesson.  For Cameron these board sports taught him early in life that ‘when you fall, you need to get right back up’. 

Cameron’s commitment to follow his dreams, even amidst hardship is what seemed to so resonate with other people. He lived BIG in his short life, and encouraged others to live big too. 

What does it mean to live a BIG life?  Well that depends on you. For Cameron it was snowboarding down snow shoots in Patagonia or finding the perfect wave.  His memory has challenged many of us to define what it means for us to live big.  What it means to stretch our self to try new things, and follow our dreams. 

So what a fitting memory and legacy to help others to follow their dream too…

T-Minus 11 Days: Things and Stuff 2/21

We paired a shorter training ride with some errands to get all 1 million pieces of equipment for the upcoming ride.

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Madeleine riding through Goleta, CA

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Stopped for a lunch with Concerned Mother #1

We went rock climbing in the evening to mix it up:

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Madeleine

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Sophie

 

 

 

T-Minus 12 Days: 2/20 Training Ride

T-minus 12 days until our March 5th blast off, we went for a 47 mile training ride around the Goleta/Santa Barbara area.

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Stopping for a mid-ride Ginger Ale to cure what ails:

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The cure-all

We did some bike mechanic-ing with the help of our cheer dog, Stetson…

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… and started the uncomfortable process of breaking in our new beast warrior Brooks leather saddles:

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January and February

Goals for January and February: get in shape via any and all athletic pursuits, getting sponsors for equipment, plan route, gather equipment, learn how to fix our bikes, such things.  Missions more or less accomplished:

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Checking the surf during a training ride

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At the top of a Gaviota Peak hike

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Madeleine surfing

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Hiking at Joshua Tree

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Madeleine working on some bike mechanic skills

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Jump rope at the gym

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Planning out the bike route

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Sophie swimming

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Sunset walk

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Projected first part of route

 

 

 

 

The Who, What, Where, When and Why

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WHO:

 

WHAT:

A cross-country bike trip to raise money for a new program initiative with STOKED, a NYC and LA-based non-profit organization that works to close the opportunity gap for underserved youth. The goal is to raise $50,000 to create a series of “Live A Big Life Scholarships” so that, after completing the 4-year program with STOKED and graduating high school, select youth can go on a trip to broaden their horizons, meet new people, learn new things and learn to live their Big Life.

WHERE:

Starting in Santa Barbara, CA and ending in Brooklyn, NY.

The major cities we’ll hit are: Santa Barbara, CA; San Diego, CA; Phoenix, AZ; El Paso, TX; Del Rio, TX; Austin, TX; New Orleans, NO; Atlanta, GA; Myrtle Beach, SC; Wilmington, NC; Virginia Beach, VA; Rehoboth Beach, DE; Cape May, NJ; Brooklyn, NY.

We are using the extensive resources of the Adventure Cycling Association, piecing together sections of the Pacific Coast, Southern Tier, and Atlantic Coast routes. Follow the “Blog” and “The Route” for more details as we go along.

WHEN:

Start date: March 5, 2014

End date: Early-mid June, 2014

WHY:

The opportunity to go new places, find challenges outside of your comfort zone, be forced to overcome obstacles and problem solve will fundamentally change any person. We are lucky enough to have the opportunity to do this, and we want to create that same opportunity for the youth in STOKED.