Mississippi River
In September, 2011, Rich cranked his hand-cycle 1500 miles along the entire length of the Mississippi River.
They spoke to more than 4,000 people in 26 different venues and raised nearly $60,000 for the children’s nutrition initiative of Convoy of Hope.
They thought it was a one-time project, but God had a bigger plan. The journey of hope ontinues.
IJM Freedom Tour
In July, 2012 they joined a group of 25 able-bodied cyclists on a 500-mile ride from Cincinnati to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.
The IJM Freedom Tour raised more than $30,000 to combat human trafficking and modern-day slavery through the work of International Justice Mission.
FLORIDA HOPE TOUR 2013
This five-week, 1000-mile tour took the team around the perimeter of Florida from Jacksonville (Jan 28) to Tallahassee (March 3). They shared the story of hope, dreams, and possibilities with 31 different groups and raised funds and awareness for Convoy of Hope.
God opened doors to a much broader set of audiences on this tour. While Rich and Becky spoke to church-based groups, most of the speaking invitations on this trip came from disability groups, halfway houses, substance abuse programs, and mental health centers. God clearly offered the opportunity to share the story beyond the church walls.
This was also the first opportunity to share the new book: Rich’s Ride (Hope Changes What’s Possible). The response was gratifying and humbling.
Front Range FREEDOM Tour 2013
Front Range Freedom Tour fulfilled a dream of bringing RICH’S RIDE to our home turf. We led a core team of eleven cyclists on a tour of the beautiful Colorado front range cities from Cheyenne, Wyoming to the New Mexico border from June 22-30, 2013.
The team slept in church facilities offered by generous hosts in Boulder, Littleton, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo. A special treat was a night at the home of Annie and Mark Danielson in Trinidad before the team climbed Raton Pass to conclude the tour.
Front Range FREEDOM Tour 2013 was a partnership to raise funds and awareness for our friends at U COUNT Campaign. Our team raised more than $7,000 to support rescued victims of the horrible crime of sexual slavery.
We look forward to making this tour, and this partnership, an annual event.
TAOS to TUCSON 2013
Our final adventure of 2013 was a 500-mile ride through the iconic southwest cities of Taos, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Sedona, Phoenix, Casa Grande, and Tucson. We established several ongoing opportunities to share the story of hope. We spoke to five Teen Challenge groups, two campus ministry groups called Chi Alpha, six Rotary clubs, and a number of smaller church groups. Rich was also invited to deliver the main Sunday message at Faith Assembly Church in Phoenix.
I learned it does not matter what I have done in the past—I need to focus on encouraging others. When I help others up their mountain I find myself on top of that mountain with them! –Corinna (age 24)
I loved the analogy of the prism. God shines His light or love into me and I am to spread that light or love to others! –Ashley (age 27) and her children: John Michal (5) and Hannah (1)
Rich showed me that “why doesn’t matter.” We use drugs to numb the pain and excuse the behavior because we want to understand why. He taught me I need to forget the past and hope for my future, believing God for my impossible dreams! –Brandy (staff, former graduate)
Front Range FREEDOM Tour 2014
We returned to Colorado’s Front Range for our annual tour from Cheyenne to Raton Pass. Our core team of sixteen cyclists and supporters, plus more than fifty single-day riders, raised more than $20,000 to support Project Rescue’s HOME OF HOPE, which cares for children rescued from sexual slavery.
Along the way our team formed lifelong friendships as we rode, served, and lived together–and climbed a couple of nasty hills! We also found opportunities to tell people about the horrible crime of human trafficking.