6 Passes In 6 Hours

“Give For Life” FEST is back.

The 2ndannual suicide prevention event returns to the mountain highways and Cactus Jacks in Evergreen, Colorado, July 23, 2011.

While organizers are bringing back all the good stuff from last year’s event, which raised $10,200 for the Carson J. Spencer Suicide Prevention Foundation, They’ve added a new twist.

Try six riding six mountain passes in six hours. Cool twist, huh?

“Last year was a huge success,” said program director Kimberly Karsell. “We had 68 riders, and then more than 350 people at the party afterwards. This year, we thought we should do something to try and make the ride a little more fun. So, we came up with riding six passes in six hours or less.”

Starting at Crossroads in Pine Junction, the run will ride Kenosha Pass and red Hill Pass on Highway 285, then hit Hoosier pass on Highway 9 before summiting Loveland Pass on Highway 6, and then on to Idaho Springs before topping Squaw and Juniper Passes en route back to Cactus Jacks in Evergreen for the big bash.

The ride will stop for group photos along the way. Additionally, at least one bus will trail the ride for people who want to make the trip but don’t want to ride.

“We’ve already almost filled one 25-passenger bus,” Karsell said. “We have access to another one, so if people want to do it that way, we can accommodate them.”

The party features live tunes from Oakhurst and Between Fate, two bands with significant followings. Additionally, some pretty big raffle items—including at least two trips, and a New Belgium Brewing Flyer bicycle, among many, many other items.

“We had such a great event last year, we feel like we have a lot to live up to, and even surpass,” Karsell said. “We’re putting a lot of effort into this to make sure we have a great event again this year. I think we’re going to do that.”

For more information on the event, call Kimberly Karsell at 303-669-8006.