Cyclist sets off to raise money for diabetes research

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Inspired by his son's battle with Type 1 diabetes, a former Montecito resident has started a 2200 mile bicycle journey to raise money to combat the disease.

Flint Ogle has pledged to complete 22 separate 100-mile bike rides this year. Along the way, he'll be raising funds for Sansum Diabetes Research Institute and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. You can track Ogle's progress and donate to the cause here https://www.sansum.org/follow-flint/.

Ogle decided on 2200 miles because May 18 marked six years, or about 2200 days since his son Beckett was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at age four.

“My inspiration is to celebrate the strength and resilience of my son and other children with T1D, and to help find a cure, so they can be free of the disease in the future,” said Ogle.

The Ogle family–which endured the wildfires, mudslides and multiple evacuations in recent years in Montecito, relocated to Grand Junction, Colorado, but still has lifelong ties to Santa Barbara.

“We are incredibly grateful to Flint for his generous support of both Sansum Diabetes Research Institute and JDRF," said Ellen Goodstein, SDRI Executive Director.

"We are in awe of his determination to raise critical funding and awareness for those impacted by diabetes. Flint’s efforts are such an inspiration to the diabetes community and provides hope for a better future.”