4 AM

It’s mid-week, so I thought I’d give you an update on our progress.

Who know Ohio had this many steep hills?

My team on the IJM Freedom Ride is an amazing group of dedicated people. We’ve completed two days and two hundred miles. Nearly everyone has done every mile—that’s two century rides in two days, with a total elevation gain of more than 7,500 feet.

Remember, most of these folks aren’t experienced cyclists. It’s a truly amazing accomplishment.

It’s been a tough schedule. Wake-up call at 4 am, breakfast and small-group devotions, and we’re on the road at 6 am. They’re spending between ten and twelve hours on the road, then shower, dinner, and not enough sleep before that 4 am alarm.

Almost every person says they wouldn’t do this for themselves, for pride of accomplishment. This isn’t about cycling. My team mates are answering God’s call to a shared sacrifice. It’s really quite an incredible thing to be part of.

My riding hasn’t gone so well. I’m riding well, and I’ve started both days strong, but the heat’s overwhelming my body’s cooling system. This morning I actually kept pace with the group for about three hours until the first rest break, but 95-degree heat and high humidity made me crawl off the bike after about five hours and fewer miles than I’d hoped. I knew I wouldn’t ride the entire 500 miles, but I wanted to do perhaps 300 or so. I’m far behind that goal.

But, like I said, this isn’t about miles. So while I’m frustrated with my inability to handle the heat, I know my miles don’t really matter. We’ve come together for a larger purpose. We’ve raised awareness and by the time we’re done we’ll contribute more than $30,000 to International Justice Mission. Those funds will ensure that some child won’t spend another night trapped in a brothel.

That’s why we’re doing this crazy ride. That’s why we got out of bed at 4 am and hit the road this morning. That’s why most of the team will crank another hundred miles today, and why I’ll douse myself with ice water and try to crank a few more miles.

We do it so someone, somewhere in the world, might be free.

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