Bike tours have their share of less-than-serious moments. Our mission creates a fairly intense environment. We’re focused on kids rescued from sexual slavery. We’re building a community around following Jesus and sharing our stories. Combine that with cranking bikes lots of miles up and down hills, eating on the move, sleeping on floors, and evening […]

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” So said the author of Ecclesiastes (and Pete Seeger). Two tours completed–time to measure, to assess what we accomplished. Question is, what’s the metric? We cycle to bring hope and freedom to kids rescued from human trafficking. Our team raises […]

Forrest Gump’s mom might have been describing our bike tour. You never know what you’ll get. Saturday was clouds and cold rain. Sunday provided crisp, bright blue skies and a perfect day to climb two mountain passes. Different churches each night, lunch at a roadside pull-off, wide shoulders and narrow, winding two-lanes. Something different around […]

What do you do on a chilly, rainy Saturday morning? Extra cup or coffee? Good book? Maybe putter around on some neglected project? If you’re the FREEDOM TOUR team, you load trailers, gulp down a quick breakfast, pull on rain gear, and hit the road. These folks weren’t about to let a little cold rain […]

Yesterday I asked “Will It Work?” Hedge our bet. Anticipate the likelihood that some unknown that might keep the dream from actually happening. While we dream, you and I hold a spot for “What happens if it doesn’t work?” Better question, I think: What happens if it DOES work? What happens if you do that […]

You might pray and trust God with all your heart and still not reach your goal. You might get rejected. You might try and fail. Your dream may not turn out as you imagined. It’s okay. The world wants odds of success before committing. But the question at the beginning ought to be “Is this […]

Monte’s my service dog, and he’s much better behaved than I am. Folks often ask, “Does he ever get to just be a dog?” They worry, I think, that all of his training and his “job” keep him from running and playing and being free like regular dogs. Although he’s slowing down a bit (he’s […]

If you’ve read Relentless Grace you might recall a scene in which Becky and I posed in front of a similar sign more than thirty years ago. This occasion has a much happier outcome. (And if you haven’t read Relentless Grace, may I ask what you’re waiting for?) Several months after my injury a friend […]

The FREEDOM TOUR is a big deal, but every year around this time I watch riders in that other bike tour. The best cyclists in the world spend three weeks in July racing more than 3500 km (2200 miles) in le Tour de France. It’s an incredible test of physical endurance, mental toughness, and courage. […]

God-sized dreams elicit some peculiar responses. Becky and I spent a few days meeting new church partners for the COLORADO MOUNTAIN FREEDOM TOUR. We described the project to groups and individuals and encountered a common reaction. Tell folks you’re preparing to ride bikes over mountain passes and they’ll look at you with some mixture of […]