Happy Monday. It’s the final week of Rich’s Ride, the perfect time for this word-of-the-week… Complete Complete—the verb. This week is about completing what we’ve started. To me, completing involves more than just getting done. Completing means ending well, making the final days the best. It’s about using everything we’ve learned to take full advantage […]
Continue readingAuthor: Rich
Almost
I wonder how many dreams have died because someone gave up on the edge of success. Last week I had a couple of tough days. I think Becky and I are both a bit road-weary. Hotels, packing and unpacking, adjusting to new food and new places and changing weather—it’s all gradually wearing us down. None […]
Continue readingRolling Fork
We encounter grace in unexpected places. Four years ago this month I was cranking my bike on a 1500-mile journey along the Mississippi River and we found Grace at a Mississippi crossroads. It was an unlikely story, one worth re-telling. We spent last night in a hospital. It’s not what you think. Nobody’s sick or […]
Continue readingWell Done–a repost
HAPPY NEW YEAR! How old were you when you finally realized that nobody was watching? I grew up in a small town. It was literally impossible to get away with anything. If I messed up on the other side of town, my mom somehow found out before I got home. I developed this eerie sense […]
Continue readingEcclesia
Traveling on Rich’s Ride brings wonderful side benefits. One of those is attending a variety of churches. Becky and I love the people at our home church, Timberline Church in Fort Collins. We couldn’t have done this project without their love and support, and we’re excited to be there in a few weeks. But it’s great […]
Continue readingDoes He Bite?
Hi. It’s Monte again, giving Rich a break. You can read my other articles here. * * * * * We’re in another new place called the South. I don’t know what that means—it’s just another place with unique smells to check out. But I have noticed something I don’t like very much. People keep […]
Continue readingCentral Mississippi
The generosity of total strangers continues to overwhelm us. We’re in Greenville, Mississippi—looking forward to a needed rest day Wednesday. The hotel owner offered us two free nights and a great local bar-b-que place fed us. Amazing. At the restaurant the server asked what we were doing. Becky told her the story, and she left […]
Continue readingJust Enough
Last week’s word-of-the-week was DAILY. I’m noticing something else about trusting God for the daily progress of Rich’s Ride. My initial idea was to ride 200 miles each week. That would mean I’d only need to do 100 miles during the final week to reach the 1500-mile goal. I also planned to do a little […]
Continue readingInspired Or Motivated
I spent a lot of time today thinking about motivation and inspiration. I wonder if I’m motivated or inspired to do this ride. It’s the sort of question you ask yourself while cranking along on a nondescript backroad that you thought was in Arkansas until you encounter this sign and realize you were still in Missouri. […]
Continue readingDuck
Happy Monday. We begin week #7 of Rich’s Ride with a silly word-of-the-week… DUCK! It’s not what you think. We spent the weekend at the historic Peabody Hotel in Memphis, thanks to the generosity of our new friends Dudley and Michelle Boyd. Among many other wonderful amenities, The Peabody is known for The Peabody Ducks. Who knew […]
Continue readingWandering
1133 miles I never realized how much the river begins to twist and turn as it approaches Memphis. Rivers always have bends and corners. Everyone knows there’s no such thing as a perfectly straight river. But I wasn’t prepared for this. I can’t follow the river here. No roads trace anything close to the meandering […]
Continue readingGrateful…Truly Grateful
We’re wrapping up week 6 of Rich’s Ride. As we speak to folks in Memphis and wonder at the generosity of strangers-turned-friends, this song popped up on Becky’s Ipod. I included the lyrics below. They’re wonderful, but one thought struck me: Giving thanks for what I’ve got Makes me happier than keeping score Please enjoy the […]
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