Published on Wednesday, 2 April 2025 at 11:12:47 AM
In a remarkable display of dedication and community spirit, Travis Sterpini, a Facility Maintenance Officer at the City of Nedlands, recently completed the Hawaiian Ride for Youth, a gruelling 700km bike ride over four and a half days. This event, which Travis participated in for the second time, aims to raise crucial funds and awareness for Youth Focus, an organisation providing free counselling and support services to high school students.
Travis's journey began with a simple desire for social connection. "This adventure started when I joined Trench Health and Fitness, as my brother-in-law and a friend were already part of the group," Travis shared. "When the opportunity to participate in the Ride for Youth came up, it sounded completely ridiculous at first. But with encouragement from other riders, I stepped out of my comfort zone and committed to the ride."
Training for such an event is no small feat. Travis and his team from Blue Diamond Machinery trained rigorously for six months, often starting their rides at 5:10am. Their regime included two 50km rides during the week and a longer 100+km ride on Saturdays. Despite the physical exhaustion, the commitment to raising a minimum of $5,000 each for Youth Focus kept them motivated.
"The journey was filled with physical and mental challenges," Travis recalled. "The 4:45am morning alarms and the rigorous training schedule were tough, but the sense of accomplishment and the support from fellow riders made it all worthwhile. The personal growth, happiness, and general well-being that came from pushing myself beyond my limits was truly satisfying."
Travis's advice to others looking to challenge themselves is simple yet profound: "Go for it and commit, no matter how scary it may feel at the time. The benefits to yourself and those around you are immense."
This year's Ride for Youth raised over $2 million to provide essential services to young people. Travis's team alone raised around $35,000. Reflecting on the experience, Travis said, "What a magical week with an incredible bunch of amazing humans. The Strong Rider green jersey I received, voted on by fellow riders and team captains, was a testament to the spirit of perseverance and support within our group."
One of the most poignant moments for Travis during the Ride for Youth experience was a conversation he had with a grade 8 student at a school they visited. The student confided that she had no one to talk to. As a father of three with a daughter of similar age, Travis was deeply moved by that conversation, and it strengthened his resolve to participate in next year's Ride for Youth. "Some very powerful, and moving conversations were had during our visits to the schools. From those, it is clear there is much more work to be done to help prevent youth suicide and depression, and to help young people thrive,” Travis reflected.
Travis's story is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have on their community. His humble and genuine approach to this challenge is truly inspiring, showing that with dedication and support, we can all contribute to making a difference.
See more photos of Travis & team on City of Nedlands Facebook & Instagram.
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