A 4 AM Update

We’re wrapping up COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOUR, so I thought I’d flashback to a 2012 Story of Hope.

Who knew Ohio had this many steep hills?

Our 25-person IJM Freedom Ride team is remarkable. We’ve completed two days and two hundred miles. Nearly everyone has done every mile – two century rides in two days, total elevation gain more than 7,500 feet.

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

It’s a tough schedule. Wake-up call at 4 am, breakfast and small-group devotions, on the road at 6:00. They’re spending 10-12 hours on the road, then dinner and not enough sleep before that 4 am alarm.

Every person says they wouldn’t do this for themselves, for pride of accomplishment. This isn’t about cycling. My teammates are answering Jesus’ call to shared sacrifice. It’s an incredible thing to be part of.

My riding hasn’t gone as I’d hoped. I’m riding okay, and I’ve started both days strong, but the heat’s overwhelming my body’s cooling system. This morning, I mostly kept pace with the group until the first rest break, but 95-degree heat and high humidity made me crawl off the bike after 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 pace.

But this isn’t about miles. So, while I’m frustrated with my inability to handle the heat, we’ve come together for a larger purpose. We’ve raised awareness, and 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, why we got out of bed at 4 am and hit the road this morning. That’s why most of the team will pedal 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.

Scroll to top