Master the Journey
Master the Journey is a youth mountain bike event focused on supporting the Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) community by
1. Offering a family-friendly mountain bike event to complement existing T1D community support events that promote a healthy, active lifestyle for the T1D community by encouraging participation in mountain biking and lowering barriers to entry.
2. Raising funds for the Children’s Diabetes Foundation to help offset the disproportionately high healthcare costs incurred by families affected by T1D.
The event will feature U19, U17, and U15 race categories on an approximately 7-mile course. U19 and U17 participants will race 2 laps, while U15 participants will race 1 lap.
Following the races, a portion of the course will be open for a fun ride for all attendees.
Why are we focused on T1D?
People with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) cannot live without continuous insulin therapy, delivered via multiple daily injections or an insulin pump. Out-of-pocket expenses for these patients and their families create disproportionate financial strain that is over 2 times the national average. According to the Children’s Diabetes Foundation,
“Over 40% of Barbara Davis Center patients are uninsured or underinsured.
“On average, the first year of care for a newly diagnosed type 1 is $20,000.
“Type 1 diabetes is the only disease where patients and caregivers are making life and death insulin dosing decisions, and they are doing it every hour of every day.
“Diabetes is expensive. New Onset patients spend about $1,400 on education and appointment fees. Pump Therapy can create better control but can cost up to $1,200 each month. Insulin for children can cost about $300 a month. Testing 6-8 times a day is normal, and all those test strips add up to about $300 a month.”
The overall health and quality of life for people with T1D are significantly improved with routine physical activity. Action sports, such as mountain biking, promote healthy living while also imbuing a sense of thrill and excitement for the participants. Master the Journey is focused on raising awareness for the T1D community, introducing both new and experienced riders to youth mountain bike racing, and supporting T1D families in need.
