AAHS MTB Team is please to announce that Master the Journey youth MTB Race is being planned for summer, 2026. The event will offer a fun-filled day of mountain biking to support those living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), their families, and their friends. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about the exciting world of high school mountain bike racing while supporting a noble cause.

Between now and summer, 2026, the team will be preparing our event plan, highlighted by a proof of concept activity on Saturday, July 26th, 2025 at Cheyenne Mountain State Park located in beautiful Colorado Springs.

Type 1 diabetics cannot live without continuous insulin therapy, delivered via multiple daily injections or insulin pump.  Out-of-pocket expenses for these patients and their families create disproportionate financial strain that is over 2 times the national average for out-of-pocket expenses. 

According to the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, 

“Over 40% of Barbara Davis Center patients are uninsured or underinsured. 

“On average, the first year of care for a newly diagnosed type 1 is $20,000. 

“Type 1 diabetes is the only disease where patients and caregivers are making life and death insulin dosing decisions, and they are doing it every hour of every day. 

“Diabetes is expensive. New Onset patients spend about $1,400 on education and appointment fees. Pump Therapy can create better control but can cost up to $1,200 each month. Insulin for children can cost about $300 a month. Testing 6-8 times a day is normal and all those test strips add up to about $300 a month.” 

Additionally, type 1 diabetics’ overall health and quality of life is significantly improved with routine physical activity. 

Action sports, such as mountain biking, promote healthy living while also imbuing a sense of thrill and excitement for the participants; however, there are no such events focused on supporting the T1D community who could benefit significantly from such a program.

Master the Journey supports the T1D community by:

  • Offering a family-friendly mountain bike event to complement existing T1D community support events. 

  • Promoting a healthy, active lifestyle for the T1D community by encouraging participation in mountain biking and lowering barriers to entry through industry partnerships. 

  • Reducing financial strain on T1D patients and their families by directing all event proceeds that exceed event operating expenses to the Children’s Diabetes Foundation Helping Hand Program.

If you are interested in supporting Master the Journey, please consider one of the following options:

  1. Visit the Master the Journey store, buy a t-shirt, and help us build excitement for the event.

  2. Check out the Children’s Diabetes Foundation and make a donation to help families affected by type 1 diabetes.

Master the Journey event operations are being managed through the Air Academy HS MTB Team, and we are striving to keep registration costs low by offsetting operating expenses with charitable donations. Fundraising and event registration will be conducted through https://airacademymtb.org.

Thank you for your support! Stay tuned for more information as we finalize event plans.