Biking for Better Days

Biking for Better Days B4BD uses cycling, storytelling & fundraising to bolster mental health resources and to promote the elimination of stigma surrounding mental illness

Amber Lauff and Courtney Konow Bursuc, Co-Founders of the non-profit organization Biking for Better Days, are launching an endeavor that just may turn out to be a life-long journey... and we would love for you to join us for the ride! After years of personal struggles with mental illness - whether with family, friends, significant others, or ourselves - we decided on a blustery day in December tha

t we'd had enough. Enough of the euphemisms, enough of hiding what was really going on, enough of skirting around real and serious issues. So, naturally, we started a non-profit and decided to bike across the country. Here's a bit more about why we're doing this and how we're going to encourage big changes in the way mental illness and mental health is handled:

The big idea: Biking for Better Days uses cycling, storytelling and fundraising to bolster mental health resources and to promote the elimination of stigma surrounding mental illness across the country. So, what does that mean?: Biking for Better Days strives to reshape negative and ignorant views around mental illness by building a national network of storytellers, advocates, and allies. We work with local and national organizations to normalize conversations about mental illness and about seeking help through promoting a holistic understanding of wellness and support for community-based health services. For more information (and to follow - or join!! - us along our cross-country route), check out the official website at b4bd.org

We've unfortunately been pretty inactive since ending our trip in Chicago and returning to Atlanta. We've both realized ...
07/31/2017

We've unfortunately been pretty inactive since ending our trip in Chicago and returning to Atlanta. We've both realized we need some time for self-care, school-work, and getting some general life things in order before getting back into full swing with B4BD. We're taking a bit of a hiatus for now while we work on ourselves and work on building a better network for the organization. In the meantime, I wanted to share this incredible IndieGoGo campaign that Taylor Lane shared with me today.

We think this is an amazing endeavor and this man's mission resonates so much with our own that we just had to spread the word . If you're able to help at all, please do. Breaking stigma and providing more community resources for mental health is so important: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-dad-s-coffee-bar-start-up-yoga-community #/

Invest in the Medlock Community and in Mental Health Awareness at Dad's Coffee Bar/Music Venue! | Crowdfunding is a democratic way to support the fundraising needs of your community. Make a contribution today!

06/22/2017

Riding into Chicago today!! We'll be there all weekend and have a few great events going on. If you're in the area, come on out, we'd love to see you!!

Saturday, June 24th, 3 vs. 3 volleyball tournament; 4-6pm at Archer Park

Sunday, June 25th, backyard yoga at 9am hosted by the lovely Courtney konow bursuc.
6815 N. Jean Ave, Chicago, IL

$10 donation for both events, and we'll have a light breakfast to follow yoga! Feel free to message us with any questions:)

06/08/2017

Does anyone happen to know someone in Wheeling, West Virginia? Our accommodations feel through for tonight and we're trying to find a placed to stay/ pitch our tent... preferably for free!

06/06/2017

B4BD uses cycling, storytelling & fundraising to bolster mental health resources and to promote the elimination of stigma surrounding mental illness

Getting set up for our Tea and Talk event with Quartet Health. Excited to share B4BD's story and mission. We go live at ...
06/01/2017

Getting set up for our Tea and Talk event with Quartet Health. Excited to share B4BD's story and mission. We go live at 12, so be sure to tune in!!

We absolutely can't wait to launch our ride on Memorial Day! If you're in Philadelphia and would like to start your Mond...
05/26/2017

We absolutely can't wait to launch our ride on Memorial Day! If you're in Philadelphia and would like to start your Monday morning off with some free mindfulness meditation hosted by this amazing lady, come on out to Independence Hall on May 29th at 7:30am!

T minus 14 days until we launch out from Independence Hall on our bikes across the country!! Can't wait!!!! Our full rou...
05/15/2017

T minus 14 days until we launch out from Independence Hall on our bikes across the country!! Can't wait!!!! Our full route is also going up on our website, www.b4bd.org this week, so please take a look and let us know if you want to join for any leg(s) of the ride 😁😄😃

Got some really incredible photos back from our shoot with Matthew! Doing what we do best and remembering to just be ou...
05/09/2017

Got some really incredible photos back from our shoot with Matthew! Doing what we do best and remembering to just be our goofy, imperfect selves and smiling through every second of it. Share some of your happy photos with us! Get lost in memories of good moments and remind yourself that although it might not happen every day, life really is great sometimes

05/09/2017

Today, I feel sad, and anxious, and completely out of control of my own emotions. I don't feel like doing anything, and I know I want or need to cry, but can't seem to let myself. I feel vulnerable. and alone. it's been a hard day for a lot of reasons, and I'm missing people who aren't here anymore, and people who are far away...and I need to remind myself that it's okay. That I'm allowed. But I simultaneously know that I can't let myself get consumed by it. I keep asking how I can feel so apathetic and so full of every emotion all at the same time. I keep reminding myself that I have a therapy appointment tomorrow... and that I'm lucky to have that. Not everyone has that privilege, and not everyone feels comfortable getting help.

This post isn't meant to put my feelings out for everyone to see. It's just meant to be honest, and real, and to say that everyone has terrible days, that sometimes we don't know what to do and solutions seem impossible, and we feel a little trapped. Remember--especially this week and this month during --that there are resources, and it is okay to talk about.

We want to encourage story sharing, but we have to share our own first. So that's what I'll keep trying to do.

For anyone else who's had a not-so-great-day, it's OKAY. Call a friend, relax in front of your TV, read a good book, and get up and reset tomorrow. It'll be a better day.

Love and hugs,
Amber

05/01/2017

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to our kick-off art show and fundraiser on Friday! It was wonderful to see all of the smiling faces, raise money for the Link, and share stories and experiences about mental illness.

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Atlanta, GA

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