A Ride Toward Hope and Healing Founder Spotlight: Kimmie Bullock
Supported by: The Heart of Gold Bike Race
When you hop on your bike for the Heart of Gold ride, you're doing more than pedaling through scenic forests and historic streets—you’re helping teens across Nevada County access life-changing mental health support. At the heart of this mission is Kimmie Bullock, a longtime educator and passionate advocate for teen mental wellness. With years of experience teaching high school English in Truckee, both in public and private schools, Kimmie has seen first hand the challenges teens face when trying to access therapy. Her own family’s experience revealed a troubling gap: many teens fall into the “missing middle”—those who aren’t covered by Medi-Cal and can’t afford out-of-pocket therapy costs.
🌟 From Miles for Mentors to Heart of Gold The idea for the Heart of Gold Bike Race began with Hardy Bullock, who originally launched a ride called Miles for Mentors to support Big Brothers Big Sisters in Truckee. When Hardy became a county supervisor, he saw an opportunity to expand the event into a county-wide fundraiser focused on teen mental health. He brought Kimmie on board, and together they envisioned a way to connect physical activity, nature, and community with a deeper purpose: supporting teens in crisis. Kimmie began working with wellness centers and school counselors in Truckee, identifying students who were struggling and had nowhere to turn. Through these connections, she found a therapist willing to help—and Heart of Gold Teen Therapy was born. Since then, the program has quietly made a powerful impact, helping students and families navigate crisis situations and build lasting support systems. “Just in Truckee alone, in a four-month period, we’ve seen eight students in high-level crisis situations,” Kimmie shared. “Now, those therapists are working with families to continue the impact. In my mind, that’s a pretty big deal.”
🚴 A Ride That Makes a Difference Kimmie has ridden the Heart of Gold course herself and describes it as “an amazing ride, so well supported from the minute you show up at the starting line.” She’s inspired by the diversity of participants—people of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds—coming together to support a common cause. “It may seem like a small drop in the bucket,” she says, “but it creates a ripple effect. Just showing up—riding your bike, bringing your kids, attending the festival—you pick up on that positive energy. It’s hard not to feel inspired.”
🌱Looking Ahead Kimmie’s hope for the future of Heart of Gold Teen Therapy is simple yet profound: to carry forward the spirit of its original intention and remind people that collectively, we can make a difference. Whether you're riding, volunteering, or cheering from the sidelines, your presence matters. “It may sound cliché, but it’s true. The outreach, the tools, the awareness—it’s a good way to become part of something bigger.”
