San Diego Tribune

By Diane Bell | midnight June 18, 2016 | Updated, 8:06 a.m.

Ageless gift: “This is the biggest thing I’ve done in my life. This is my legacy.” Those are the words of Diane Lea.

For some people that hallmark moment comes in the split-second of a heroic act. For Olympic athletes it can be earned after years of training from childhood.

Lea began her legacy quest by accident at age 48. It started at the moment her brother, who was turning 50, informed her he had nothing special planned. She resolved to begin preparing for her own half-century milestone.

Flash forward: This morning she leaves Ocean Beach on a 2,500-mile cross-country bike ride to her home in Pensacola, Fla. She plans to travel 50 miles a day, for 50 days and to highlight 50 causes.

Each day, Lea will peddle for a different issue: Alzheimer’s disease, autism, breast cancer, bullying, diabetes, human trafficking, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and suicide, to name a few. She’ll post daily to her Facebook page, www.50CausesRide.com, blog, tweet and try to get media coverage at each day’s stop.

Liz Watkins, a volunteer accompanying her in a large motorhome, is creating video posts on the cause of the day and a documentary of the ride. Lea isn’t seeking donations for her causes. Her goal is to increase awareness, inspire others to get involved and to show her concern.

This motorhome, painted with the 50 Causes Ride logo, will accompany Diane Lea on her cross-country bike trip to draw attention to various health issues.

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