We say the FREEDOM TOUR is a community of people who follows Jesus. Sounds nice, but what does it mean? Hopefully it’s more than just words. As we plan for 2022, I wonder what makes us followers. What distinguishes us from other cool bikes rides? Is it the crosses on our jerseys? The prayers? Follow, […]
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Avoiding Arguments
It’s hard for me to stay out of arguments. Some arguments, anyway, about things that matter. When I hear things that are so clearly wrong and hurtful, it’s really hard to turn away. I admire those whose stand against injustice, who put their reputations and sometimes their lives on the line for what true and […]
Continue readingOver The Top
The FREEDOM TOUR is a small army of committed volunteers. Those folks show up to write a big story, and their efforts are amazing. When you hire someone, especially for minimum wage, you often get minimum effort, just enough to get by. You end up coercing and cajoling and supervising and fixing. Our volunteers tend […]
Continue readingUs
I asked our MOUNTAIN TOUR teammates for a favorite short quote. One guy replied, “Us” – about as short as you can get. He’s coaching his daughter’s soccer team. He wanted them to know they were in it together. He hoped they’d carry the idea beyond the soccer field. So after every practice, every timeout, […]
Continue readingOrdinary Joe
In the TV show Ordinary Joe, Joe encountered a fork in the road. He had three choices, leading to careers as doctor, cop, and rock star. The show explores What if? I’ve spent a fair amount of time wondering what if I’d decided to do something other than Christmas lights on a certain day in […]
Continue readingAbout Principles And Sheep
“The past year has been difficult.” It’s a popular thing to say right now, and of course it’s true. COVID, financial challenges, social/political divisions have indeed made for a tough 12-ish months. It’s also true that struggle didn’t originate in 2020-21. For some, other years have been challenging. For others, the wheel never seems to […]
Continue readingMagic
What’s your first reaction to this statement? The most unfair thing we can do is treat everyone the same. My principal said it frequently. As you might imagine, he got a fair amount of pushback. As a leader, Mike didn’t see kids as widgets. To him they were individuals, with unique gifts and needs. He […]
Continue readingChanging Seasons
I used to look forward to fall. School starting. New students, new beginnings. A clean slate, a chance to try those new lessons. For a teacher, fall was the time for a fresh start. Now, it’s different. Fall means the end of warm weather and outdoor cycling. It means trying to maintain some fitness on […]
Continue readingA Ride In The Mountains
Ever wondered what it’s like to ride your bike over some of Colorado’s iconic mountain passes? It’s a blast, especially when you’re riding with a great group of people and supporting a great cause. Check out the video and see some of the highlights from COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOUR 2021. Can’t see the video? Click here.
Continue readingTen Years Later
Ten years later (9/11/2011) Becky and I stood at the dawn of a dream. The next morning, we met some friends at Lake Itasca. The 1500-mile Mississippi River journey began. When you tell a story like this, after it’s happened, it takes on sort of an “inevitable” quality. In fact, we were woefully under-prepared for […]
Continue readingWhere Were You?
Like nearly everyone else, I remember where I was. No compelling story. No personal connection to the towers or planes. Just a Tuesday with kids in Room 5. More than where, though, I recall the feeling of helplessness as I learned the horrific details. An old wheelchair guy couldn’t rush out and enlist, couldn’t go […]
Continue readingClimbing
I’ve done a bit of climbing recently on my bike. Horsetooth. Maniac Hill. South Marina. Bingham Hill. It’s a new thing for me. Nothing spectacular, not like the real climbs Becky and my other cycling friends do all the time for fun. But like any other sort of training, you start small and build up. […]
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