Talley Webb, founder of Journey To Better Therapeutic Consulting has brought together four world-class ultra cyclists to raise awareness of the mental health challenges facing at-risk youth, and resources to help them, through Sky's The Limit Fund (STLF) and their wilderness partners:  True North Wilderness, New Vision Wilderness Therapy, Blue Fire Wilderness, Outback Therapeutic Expeditions, Open Sky Wilderness, Anasazi Foundation, SUWS of the Carolinas, Pacific Quest, Summit Achievement, and Aspiro. 

Therapeutic Wilderness programs exist to provide a rich, intensive, clinically-proven therapeutic experience for a child and their family struggling with mental health and addiction, providing tools to get better. However, this level of care is costly, and beyond the reach of many families. STLF provides much needed financial support, and many wilderness programs will match their grants.

Each of our riders have their own story to tell, facing mental health challenges in our own families. Riding has become a platform to manage stress, support worthy causes, and make a difference to others. 

Your tax-deductible donation to this cause will go directly to families in need of support for their child’s recovery, right now. 100%.

What a Season!

The Soaring-Coots have had an amazing season. Driven by a desire to prove that lofty goals can be attained by anyone with enough drive and commitment to push through the mindset of "This is too hard" and go after it anyway.

We sought to break three records and secure the Western Mountain Cup. It required intense training, teamwork and the support of others willing to crew for the team and sacrifice sleep and weekends.

First Down: Race Across Oregon: Record crushed 33hrs 30 mins. This intense ride was first official organized race of the season, competing against other teams. Not only did we win but we set a new fastest time that the course has ever been completed at 33 hours and 30 minutes. 

HoodDoo 500: 500 Miles, 25 hours 17 minutes. Setting a new over 50 record and the second fastest time ever on any variation of the course. Riding out of St George Utah, this course was the must beautiful ride of the season and had some of the toughest climbing with one peaking at 10,000 ft. We beat second place by over four hours.

Finally: Silver State 508: 508 blew the doors off! setting a new all-time 4 person records of 23 hours 04 Minutes. One hour and forty seven minutes faster than the prior record. A 508 mile route across Nevada. We rode through strong winds, rains, fog, thunderstorms and lightening. Mark and Shane are both solo winners of this race (2018 and 2019 respectively). All four riders were sharp and fast, each riding to their strengths, and being chased the entire way by a younger and very fast team.

WRAPPING UP THE SEASON

12-24 hr World Time Trial Championships: based in Borrego Springs, California
12 hr solo - Mark will attempt to reclaim his record from Yann of 253.2 miles.
24 hr 2 Person Team - Paul And Yann will attempt the age group record for this category.

COMPLETED rides: May 22-24, 2020. **Raised 20% of our goal! Thank you to everyone who contributed** -Coast Ride Mill Valley to Irvine, 550 miles in three days -The four of us riding fast from Northern Cal to Southern. Supported by Mary Gibson and David Peterson. After a few flats, and one man hitting pavement (and bouncing nicely), all four made it safely to Irvine!  Note that throughout this ride the team is self supported, and respected social distancing, face covering and all local Covid-19 health and safety restrictions.

About our Team:

Mark Gibson (Age 56) Mark turned his attention to cycling in 2015 with a vision of completing Race Across America (RAAM), the worlds most grueling non stop ultra cycling event.  Mark's personal story includes 15 years intensive treatments for his own child. He rides with the inspiration of the many professionals creating growth and healing in his family.

• 2016 - won RAAM on a 4 person team that included Paul Webb  and raised over $300,000 to help under privileged youth gain college sponsorship from EY CollegeMap.  
• 2016 - winner of the 12 hour World Individual Time Trial champions.
• 2017 - completed RAAM as a solo rider
• 2018  - won the World Ultra Cycling World Cup and became US National Champion for 24 hour Individual Time Trialing, placing 3rd overall in the World Champions
• 2018  - won the Silver State 508. 
• 2019 - he broke the over 50 record for Race Across the West (RAW), again racing with Paul.
• 2019 - won his age group at the Silver State 508.
  

Paul Webb (Age 56) Originally a rock climber, with climbs that include El Capitan, Table Mountain and Half Dome, Paul discovered his passion for cycling 10 years ago when he moved to Marin County. Paul's family has personal experience with wilderness treatment, where it played a critical role in changing the life and path of his eldest child. This experience led directly to his wife, Talley, forming the therapeutic education consulting company, Journey to Better, LLC, and to his commitment to creating this incredible fund raising team.

• 2016 won RAAM with Mark.
• 2017 and 2018 -  won his age group in the 12-hr World Time Trial Championships.
• 2019 - broke the over 50 course record to win RAW with Mark. 

Yann Bertaud (53) In 2004, Yann watched the Tour de France for the first time to see Lance Armstrong go for his 5th win. Watching the racers ride through the French countryside and the strategy needed to win a race, turned him on to road biking. That summer he bought his first Trek road bike and immediately got hooked. In 2008, Yann did his first double century, the Solvang Double, followed by the Davis Double then the Death Ride. Yann was scheduled to race in 2020 RAAM this year with Mark, but due to the virus it was postponed. Like the other team members, Yann's family has faced and overcome mental health challenges. He believes early intervention with our youth is critically important work. 

• 2017, 12-hour World Time Trial Championships, placed second in age group behind Paul Webb. 
  
• 2018, placed 3rd
  
• 2019,  1st in age group and 1st overall, with a distance of 253 miles in 11 hours and 53 minutes, beating Mark Gibson's time/course record by 3 minutes. 
  

Shane Trotter (Age 37) Shane's journey to better health started in 2007. Shane battled with alcohol dependence for many years, but finally quit drinking in 2013. During his journey, he started running in 2009. After several marathons and ultra-marathons, his doctor advised him to stop running due to back and knee issues. In 2012 he took up cycling. At first it was a hobby, then Shane was introduced to ultra cycling in 2016, and quickly became heavily involved. In 2017 Shane raced the Silver State 508 on a 2 man team and completed the event. In 2018, he came back to do it solo, but was unable to finish and quit the race at mile 450 of 508. Shane then used this failure as a learning experience and focused in on his training and health to produce the following list of ultra cycling accomplishments.

• 2018- 24 hour wttc 2nd place AG, 10 overall
• 2019 - Silver State 508 Winner (beating Mark Gibson)
• 2019- 24 hour wttc 1st place AG, 7 overall

It is also noteworthy that although Shane is a Time Trial specialist, he has completed 7 Everestings (one ride repeating the same climb until reaching 30,000 ft ). Shane has been married for 13 years, and is a father to two beautiful daughters, Zoie and Kylah.

A Special thank you: 
Jane Marshall from CTS, who has coached Mark, Yann and Paul and help each of them on this successful journey. https://trainright.com/coaches/jane-rynbrandt-marshall/ 

and to Talley Webb, Founder and Principal Consultant of Journey to Better, who helped bring this vital cause to our attention.

Thank you to our sponsors:
Hammer Nutrition, Great Basin Bicycles, Trek Bicycles, Diamondback Land Surveying and Ernst & Young https://www.journeytobetter.net
https://diamondbacklandsurveying.com
https://www.ey.com
https://www.hammernutrition.com
https://www.greatbasinbicycles.com
https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/retail/corte_madera_marin/