About the Ride

Hi! I'm Travis, the Founder and CEO of Cycling On Purpose.

I created Cycling On Purpose because we're  in the midst of a mental health crisis in the US, including among our children and youth. 

When I found out I was going to be a Dad, a flood of emotion washed over me, including the fear of how I'd raise a child (now children) in a world so different from the one I grew up in during the 80's and 90's. 

School shootings, lockdown drills, social media, cyberbullying, a 24-hour doomsday news cycle, the list goes on and on. I kept thinking how in the world can a kid grow up with hope about the future?

My kids are now 6, 4, and 2 and an event that happened over this past summer was the spark of purpose I had been searching for. 

Before I talk about the event, I'll start with some context. In 2023, my cousin, Brent Warnecke, unexpectedly passed away as the result of a heart condition. He was only 52 years old.

Brent was an avid cyclist and extremely philanthropic, especially when it came to causes involving children. We grew up only five miles apart and he was like the big brother I never had. He was the one that made sure everyone was included and never left out of any travel plans, even if he knew you were unlikely to be able to go. I was usually the one, living out of state, who couldn't make it more times than not and I now regret not saying yes and finding  ways to make it work.

With that regret and the reality of how short life really can be now front and center in my life, I had been searching for meaning and purpose.

Then, this past summer, my family and I flew back to Indy to attend a fundraising event raise money for a scholarship fund created in Brent's name. Part of the fund-raising that night was a silent auction of some of Brent's personal items - including his Trek Madone road bike. 

I was the highest bidder and ended up bringing his bike back with me to Washington state. That night, I was determined to ride it back to Indy the following summer in honor of him and this became the catalyst of Cycling On Purpose. 

In July 2025, I will leave my home in Spokane, WA and ride his bike 2,100 miles back to Indiana, using the opportunity to bring attention to youth mental health issues and raise money toward education, advocacy, and research.

This will be a difficult endeavor but will be well worth it. If you're interested in joining me as a rider, volunteer, or a sponsor press the "Learn More" button below to schedule some time to discuss the event further.

The ride route is still being planned as are the exact dates, but it will begin sometime in July 2025. 

Because cycling is at our core, this will not be the only bike event we host. Given this, one of the things we hope to acquire or purchase is a small van that will be used to provide support, food, and first aid during this ride and many others. If you have a van you'd like to donate, let's talk.

If you'd like to donate to support this ride and our efforts to shine a light on youth mental health you can donate here.