The COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOUR begins this week. I find my conversations with Jesus (prayers) about our tours are different these days. I wonder if you’ve had similar experiences. I’ll post a series of short thought thoughts leading to our departure Thursday Morning. Maybe they’ll prompt some discussions. For example, I don’t ask for specific outcomes […]
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The Big Production
My best friend got married a few years ago. I suspect his mom secretly wanted – for her only son – the big, formal Catholic church wedding with a priest and all the traditions. Instead we gathered in a beautiful meadow in the foothills. The groom and groomsmen wore flannel shirts. I performed the ceremony, […]
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Explaining “Why”
What’s the “why” behind the FREEDOM TOUR? The simple answer is, “We’re following Jesus.” Answers the question, I guess, but it doesn’t really explain the “why.” During lunch at the FREEDOM TOUR CLASSIC, Jon Barratt from Project Rescue read the names of every child at the Home of Hope. He read them slowly and deliberately, […]
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What Did You Learn?
Our COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOUR team will gather in 2 weeks. 22 people will show up to ride bikes in beautiful country with amazing people. Each morning an old guy with a teacher’s heart will bring them together and nudge them to keep their eyes open. What will you see? Who will you meet? How can […]
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Happy Independence Day?
As a kid I took freedom for granted. In middle class, white, small town America, of course we were free. It wasn’t even a question. Less than 2 decades removed from WWII and well into 50’s-60’s struggle for civil rights, I grew up in an isolated little bubble in which freedom was as obvious as […]
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Now That I’m Officially An Old Guy
“How do you continue to hope when so many things go wrong? How can you remain optimistic?” It was a question at last weekend’s FREEDOM TOUR CLASSIC. I chuckled (maybe not the best response) because I’m not exactly a fount of optimism. Nobody’s ever going to look for me on the Good Ship Lollipop. Maybe […]
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How Did That Happen?
Neurosurgeons aren’t known for their warm bedside manner. In the weeks after my injury, I was desperate for a definitive prognosis. Nurses and therapists offered a lot of “keep trying, anything’s possible.” I just wanted someone to tell me the outcome. I liked my doc. Gruff, matter-of fact, cared a lot but didn’t spend time […]
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Kerfuffles
There are always kerfuffles. You can plan and prepare all you want. Doesn’t matter. Something always happens that you didn’t expect. The test is how you handle it. Is your system resilient enough to deal with kerfuffles when they arise? During the FREEDOM TOUR CLASSIC, our biggest event of the year, I didn’t want to […]
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Godspeed, Still
Last time I told you about Jerry Schemmel and the Race Across America. After two years of training and preparation, Jerry and his team were ready for anything. Anything except 116° temps in the California desert. At checkpoint #3, race docs diagnosed heat stroke and told Jerry he couldn’t continue. I can’t imagine the disappointment […]
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Godspeed, Jerry
Our friend Jerry Schemmel won’t join us for this year’s FREEDOM TOUR CLASSIC. He has a reasonable excuse. Jerry embarks today, June 15, on an epic challenge. Jerry will compete in RAAM, the Race Across America. 3000+ miles. 170,000+ feet of climbing. 12 states. 3 mountain ranges. 30% longer than the 3-week (with 2 rest […]
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Quid Pro Quo
It’s gotten a bad rap lately. Quid pro quo might be an a form of blackmail. I’ll withhold this thing you want – or need – unless you do as I wish. Often it’s not-so-subtle manipulation, Godfather-style. I did you a favor, now you owe me. Do that enough, strategically, and one can accumulate a […]
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Just Because
Groucho Marx once said he wouldn’t join any club that would have him as a member. I wonder what Groucho would think about our recent conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. A few weeks ago I got a call from a guy who’s bringing a national ride to northern Colorado. He wanted some help with […]
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