There is a 1-in-4 chance, amongst women, that you are a survivor of sexual assault or abuse. This is a staggering statistic. Fortunately, Sacred Cycle builds and strengthens a community dedicated to healing these unnerving and traumatic experiences through women’s mountain bike clinics, community multi-level rides open to all genders, and events like “Defining Success” the 2020 Virtual Healing Campaign event.
Left to right, Defining Success Panel: Brett Donelson of The Cycle Effect, Clare Hefferren of Sacred Cycle, Dr. Stacie Freudenberg of Bright Future Foundation, Michelle Dibos of Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, and keynote speaker Trish Kendall.
An Empowering Speaker and Community Panel
On October 7th, 2020, Sacred Cycle hosted this event, in partnership with Vail Board of Realtors, Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, and Alpine Bank, which allowed attendees to hear the story of one successful survivor, speaker Trish Kendall. She shared her journey through 5 decisions that propelled her into what she calls “successful healing” and a life filled with choosing to be loved and providing that love to others. If you missed this event don’t be sad, here is the Livestream recording and links to future events like this one. This event provided an opportunity for our community to be inspired, be heard, be supportive, and be challenged.
Program Roots
Unfortunately not everyone that is sexually assaulted or abused experiences the same path towards accepting love and support that Trish Kendall has. Sacred Cycle seeks to increase the numbers that do by empowering survivors and offering the tools through the unique combination of:
- Therapy – May include psychotherapeutic treatment, art therapy, equine therapy, wilderness therapy, yoga, rolfing, massage, and more.
- Mountain Biking (lots of mountain biking) – One on one and group coaching and a bike, helmet, shoes, soft goods and assorted accessories are provided for this cornerstone on which to reconnect one’s body and learn to work through challenges.
- Community – No-drop (we have a tail guide won’t leave anyone behind) weekly community rides. Our end of the season participant retreat and barnbuster event builds a community where survivors can stay in touch and feel supported beyond the Sacred Cycle program.
A bird’s eye view of a weekly community ride on Snowmass Mountain in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley led by mountain bike coach, Erik DaRosa.
These “roots” of the survivorship program offer a set of nurturing tools for the healing cycle to begin, to reconnect with their bodies, and to process trauma. Making these financially prohibitive tools available decreases the time that it takes for healing to start and helps that healing to take a deeper hold. Benefits then multiply because healing not only helps survivors, it positively impacts their families, friends and communities too. If you would like a 4-in-4 chance of helping our participant survivors of sexual trauma rebuild, please consider donating here. Or, if you, or someone you know, are one of the 1-in-4 women, apply to our May 1 – Oct 1, 2021 program waitlist here.