Repairing Bikes & Recovering Lives

This article first appeared in the 2022 It Takes A Valley Campaign Impact Report.

Local Bike Shop Provides Support for Those Recovering from Addiction

Kyle Foster, owner of Seagull’s Cycles in Eagle, not only runs a bike shop but also provides a haven for those on their addiction recovery journey.

For years, Kyle dreamed of opening a bike shop that would also contribute to the community. His friend Jonathan Sharon had the idea of starting a group bike ride for people in substance abuse recovery, like themselves.

Shortly before Kyle finished opening his bike shop, Jonathan ended his life. “Losing Jonathan made it much more important to start the program and continue it in his memory,” says Kyle.

Now, in collaboration with Vail Health’s Eagle Valley Behavioral Health and nonprofit partner SpeakUp ReachOut, Jonathan’s legacy lives on through Recovery Rides, a peer support group led by Kyle that meets every Sunday at Seagull’s Cycles. Kyle also has his shop’s doors open for anyone needing to talk. “Breaking stigmas around addiction is so important to me,” says Kyle. “Don’t judge those struggling with addiction or mental health because you don’t know what they’re going through.”

As another way to honor Jonathan, Kyle organizes the Seagull’s Send annual fundraiser, benefiting SpeakUp ReachOut’s suicide prevention and awareness efforts in Eagle County.

Kyle has recently expanded his involvement by becoming a SpeakUp ReachOut Board member. Erin Ivie, the organization’s Executive Director, commends Kyle for creating a community hub. She believes his work embodies the spirit of Vail Health Foundation’s It Takes A Valley: Transforming Behavioral Health campaign by building connections and supporting networks as protective measures against suicide.

With each Recovery Ride and personal conversation, Kyle chips away at the walls of stigma and offers a glimmer of light to those who need it most.