My first day on the Tamiami Trail wasn’t what I expected. Fortunately, I’m slowly learning to write my expectations, along with my plans, in pencil. Life works better when you let it happen without comparing it to a set of preconceived notions. My wake-up call arrived courtesy of the guys from the morning drive show […]
Continue readingMore TagAuthor: Rich
Purpose
Happy Monday! A reporter’s question prompts today’s word-of-the-week… PURPOSE The reporter asked, “Aside from feeling good about yourself, why do you do these rides?” I thought about it later on route A1A. Am I doing all this so I can “feel good about myself”? Or maybe so others will feel better about me? Is this […]
Continue readingMore TagAlligators And The Tamiami Trail
Ever since I began mapping out the route for our Florida tour, I’ve looked forward to The Tamiami Trail. The Florida map doesn’t show many choices for crossing the southern part of the state. There’s Interstate 75, the tourist route known as “alligator alley,” and there’s The Tamiami Trail. Since bikes aren’t allowed on interstates, […]
Continue readingMore TagGlimpses Of Special People
We meet some of the most amazing, ordinary people on this journey. I can’t tell you about all of them, but I thought I’d take today to characterize a few. I hope you’ll get a sense of the incredible blessings we experience. # # # Saturday morning we were invited to meet with a group […]
Continue readingMore TagIs It A Race?
Okay, I’m officially feeling a bit guilty. I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve gotten a post done here! The Florida ride is going great, but it’s incredibly intense. We’ve just been busy doing all sorts of great things, plus some long days cranking a bike. And, sad to say, this blog has […]
Continue readingMore TagCan You Get Riders Block?
We had a great event Thursday morning with kids at Morningside Christian Academy in Port St Lucie. These are our new friends Jason and Laura Dugmore, who arranged the event. Jason’s a fellow handcyclist. We “met” a couple of years ago through my blog–it was great to finally meet face-to-face. # # # I think […]
Continue readingMore TagVideo: Are You Sure It’s A Race?
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul compares life to a race. Riding along a rare quiet road in Florida, I shared some thoughts about races. Come along for the ride. Can’t see the video? Click here. # # # After Wednesday’s 44 mile ride to Port St Lucie, we’re 329 miles front our blastoff in Jacksonville. […]
Continue readingMore TagSunny And Will
Okay, I’m confused. Yesterday morning we went to the hotel parking lot to help Rich get started on his ride. We met this interesting guy named Will and his dog Sunny. Will told us he’s homeless. I’m not sure what that means, but I did notice Will’s bike had a lot of stuff on it. […]
Continue readingMore TagA Tough Question
I enjoy speaking to groups. I’ve addressed a lot of different kinds of audiences, and I can honestly say there’s not one I don’t enjoy. Occasionally, though, someone asks a question that just stops me cold. Monday we met with Sunrise ARC, an amazing organization that serves about 100 developmentally disabled adults north of Orlando. I […]
Continue readingMore TagPersist
Happy Monday! The second week of Florida Hope Tour 2013 inspires today’s word-of-the-week… PERSIST I’ve noticed as I crank along how often I pray for comfort. I basically ask God to take away the hard stretches of life. Do you ever catch yourself doing that? It’s not about suffering or pain, just wishing away the […]
Continue readingMore TagMiles Of Smiles
Being away from home on this sort of trek lets you observe stuff you miss in your familiar everyday environment. One thing I’ve noticed is how much people smile. Friday I was cranking toward Orlando through a small collection of homes and businesses. A guy walked toward me looking sorta forlorn and disheveled, but as […]
Continue readingMore TagSpecial Saturday Music
Some of you may not know that Rich’s Ride has an official theme song. Even better, our friend Kristin Orphan and her incredible band allowed us to use their recording of Martina McBride’s “Anyway” (from their CD) to promote our new book. I’m posting it today because I needed to be reminded: You can chase a dream that seems […]
Continue readingMore Tag