Help Jenn and her kids ride across America!

Help Jenn’s Journey of a Lifetime

We are creating this fundraiser to rally support for Jenn Levine, an epileptic cyclist, on a journey of a lifetime: a 3,300-mile cross-country bike tour in late May.

Jenn aka Chubby Bike Lady, is no stranger to adversity, an epileptic cyclist, survivor of a Traumatic Brain Injury, and this past January, Jenn had Abdominal surgery . On May 25, 2023, Jenn embarks on a trek to cycle across 10 states, from MI to CA to celebrate her new life and we need your help to make it happen!

The idea for a cross-country bike tour transpired 5 years ago when Jenn’s eldest child started college at her alma mater, Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI. As a mom who cannot drive because of a disability, dropping your kids off at college, and picking them up is something that just isn’t possible. That’s when the plan was made- Jacob would graduate and rent a car and Jenn would bike and together they would journey back home to California! This would be an opportunity to come full circle.

5 years later, Jenn’s kids Jacob and Miriam know there is no mountain they can’t climb together and will be operating the SAG vehicle behind her, planning the route, providing support, and documenting the journey.

Most people want to do a cross-country trek as a challenge, but Jenn’s life is already so challenging, that this trip looks like FREEDOM. Jenn knows there may never be a “right time” to take this trip. Jenn understands that her future living with chronic illness is unclear- and that nothing is promised- so she must take advantage of her current strength and take the leap of faith.

If you’d like to help us on this journey, there are many ways to help!

Funds raised will go towards a car rental for 7 weeks, food, shelter, and any emergency bike maintenance.

Whatever funds they don’t use will be donated to Spokeland, Cycles of Change, and other Bay area bicycle organizations that help people live independently using bicycles (these organizations have played a huge role in supporting Jenn’s cycling independence)!

Jenn was initially diagnosed with epilepsy at the Epilepsy Foundation in Michigan. In addition to raising funds to support Jenn’s ride, we are going to raise money to support this foundation. (See theLinktree )

Other ways to help:

We need cyclist volunteers! There’s always safety in numbers when you have epilepsy. If you’d like to cycle alongside Jenn during her journey of a lifetime, please fill out this form and we will send you a map and dates!

We need help with lodging! Do you live along the route and have a guest room to offer or a backyard where they can pitch a tent? Family or Friends live along the route? Check out this link for more information on how you can help.

To summarize, we will quote Jenn’s brother, “I understand why you want to do this but you hope that nobody else will have to understand why you have to do this”

It’s been a long ride for Jenn to get where she is today. She no longer mourns her brain injury, but now wants to celebrate the new life that she has built.

Even if you can’t help in any way, if Jenn inspires you, share this fundraiser around your online and offline community!!

Go Jenn!!!!