Ride for Shelter

Inspired to Serve

Jesse’s mother, a Rotarian for many years, has been involved with ShelterBox for at least ten years.  His father Paul was involved with different charities especially those that helped the less fortunate back where he grew up in rural Iowa. His stepfather Rick has been with Kiwanis for a good part of his life as well. Watching his parents serve over the years motivated Jesse to become involved in charitable causes.

When visiting England in 2018, they went to Cornwall and visited the Shelterbox Head Quarters. He was blown away by the organization and scope of ShelterBox work. He decided then it was a worthy cause and something he wanted to be more involved in.

Last year, when Brittney Woodrum hiked all the Colorado 14ers in one summer to support ShelterBox, Jesse was further inspired to take on his own journey for the cause. He wanted to do a trip of his own that required a lot of endurance, was difficult yet achievable, and allowed him to enjoy the outdoors while exploring new places.

Early Life & Background

Jesse was born and raised in Glenwood Springs to two wonderful parents Pam and Paul Pine. In his early teen years, he learned the joys of the Colorado outdoors. Growing up, he enjoyed many outdoor activities, but he really began backpacking and serious hiking / mountain climbing when he was 16.  It was then he climbed his first 14er, Snowmass Peak.  After graduating from Glenwood Springs high school, he attended the University of Denver where he received his BSBA from the Daniels College of Business in 2013. After graduation, he travelled to Europe for 100 days on a rail pass.

After college and his Europe trip, he stayed in Denver.  During this time, he met his now wife, Libby. In October of 2017, they both left their jobs and set off to travel around the world for a year.

Once back in Colorado, she went back to work in the travel industry, and he got his real estate license. Married in September 2019, the two settled in downtown Denver with a plan to have kids and start a family in the future.

The Ride

Jesse has wanted to do a solo trip like this ever since coming back from Europe in 2013. Yet he had not narrowed down what the trip would look like until January of this year.  After reading Cross Country by Ricky Gates (who ran across America), he decided then that the trip he wanted to do was cycle to Alaska.

He thought he could help raise money and awareness to a cause that is important to him and his family. He reached out to Shelterbox to make it official. He is proud to embark on this trip with both personal goals and with the additional motivations to help others in very difficult circumstances.