Act II of FREEDOM TOUR 2017 is in the books.
FREEDOM TOUR Prologue 2017 was a blast! An army of generous, smiling volunteers in bright yellow shirts sent 65 cyclists off into the foothills and trails around Fort Collins on another picture-postcard Colorado day.
60 miles around Horsetooth Reservoir, over Carter Lake, and back through Loveland.
30 miles through the Fort Collins trails, along scenic Boyd Lake, and back through the urban beauty of the Fossil Creek Wetlands.
Sunshine, great company, good food at the end of the ride. And it all happens to support a group of children rescued from human trafficking.
I rode the 30-mile route, but I’ll confess that I felt more like observer than participant. I couldn’t help feeling a sense of accomplishment while watching the lines of riders, the laughter as old friends reunited and new friends became acquainted, and the general sense of mission in this amazing gathering. I watched Becky hug and thank volunteers and thought of countless hours spent organizing a million details.
I watched people who were apprehensive about doing a 30-mile ride beaming with satisfaction. I heard stories of pride from those who conquered the difficult climb to Carter Lake. A community of more than 75 people served each other in a variety of ways to create a day of incredible accomplishment.
With a big, beaming smile, one lady said, “I already invited my friends to do next year’s Prologue with me.” Since she just finished sweating her way through a difficult ride, that’s about the best endorsement we could ask for.
Click here to see all of our photos.
We’re just getting started. FRONT RANGE FREEDOM TOUR blasts off Saturday from Cheyenne. Cranking 500 miles in a week will be a great opportunity to come together, learn our stories, and get a little closer to God.
And then there’s the COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOUR.
The people, the jerseys, the excitement, the cause…watching it all come together is a little overwhelming. I’m glad we always begin with HELMETS UP, a reminder that it’s not our thing and we’re not in charge.
Sure is fun, though.