Our kids. That’s how I think of the children at the HOME OF HOPE, how I often refer to them. I’ve never met them, don’t know their names, haven’t listened to their personal fears and dreams. They’re no different than millions of children in difficult circumstances. But, in my mind, they’re “our kids.” They’re on […]
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A Team Or All Stars?
I enjoyed the Major League Baseball All Star Game. Gifted athletes showing their skills on a fun, relaxed stage, players laughing and interacting with fans. What’s not to enjoy about watching two teams of great players? I enjoy all the fanfare, including the celebration when three players from the Colorado Rockies (one hit a home […]
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It’s Simple. And Really Hard
“Why do we do this?” Why do we ride the bikes, cut up the fruit, fill the water bottles? I keep looking at this question, wondering if I understand the core reason we sleep on floors, train and prepare for months, and do all the other stuff that makes the FREEDOM TOUR happen. We like cycling, […]
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Two Different Views
I recently encountered a horribly sad bit of advice. It was one of those Facebook memes – I know, not the best place to seek eternal wisdom. Still, I thought it somewhat distressing that anyone might offer this sort of guidance. Find others before you need them. What a narrow, transactional view of relationships. I […]
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We Partnered With Rudy!
Rudy Project and FREEDOM TOUR are partners. Rudy Project offers top-of-the-line cycling and athletic gear. Rudy Project helmets lead the industry in safety and comfort. Their sunglasses and prescription athletic eyewear set the standard for comfort and performance. Learn more about Rudy Project and their incredible technology at their website. Rudy Project is an organization the believes in doing well so they […]
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Important Questions
I’m a big fan of questions. I started my career as a classroom teacher believing good teachers knew all the answers. Experience taught me that questions mattered more than answers. It’s a principle that extends beyond the classroom. We do better when we resist the temptation to provide (easy, quick) answers and focus on asking […]
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Do We Miss The Main Event?
Remember the circus? I heard an old circus story recently, about a little boy who heard the circus was coming to his rural town. He begged (and begged and begged) until his mom gave him the dollar to purchase his ticket. On the morning of the big day he got up early and was waiting […]
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Why Not Skip The Climbs?
Our pastor told a funny story this weekend. A while back our church had a staff/team mountain retreat. As a fun activity they shuttled bikes (and themselves) to the top of Vail Pass (10,600 ft) and cruised down the bike trail 16-17 miles to Vail (8,000 ft). It’s a popular tourist thing to do, an […]
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Oh That Magic Shortcut!
Last Friday our team took a shortcut. Triple digit heat, just finished a long climb at the end of a 55 mile day, and they could see the destination right over there. Why ride an extra couple of blocks around neighborhood road construction when there’s a shortcut through the park? So they cruised along the sidewalk, celebrating the […]
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Reckless Generosity
We cycle on the shoulders of reckless generosity. About 250 individuals and organizations donated (so far) to FREEDOM TOUR ’18. “Thank-you” doesn’t begin to express our gratitude for every contribution to support the kids at the HOME OF HOPE. Sponsors are the foundation of any fundraising effort. We’re blessed with the support of numerous generous […]
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When You Look Past The Hurdles
Daryl’s determined. We met him at Elephant Rock through a series of contacts. He’s a ride-a-lot-of-miles kind of cyclist who resonated with the notion of connecting those miles to a bigger story. Daryl really wanted to join the FREEDOM TOUR ’18, but short notice and prior commitments created logistical hurdles. 2018 just wasn’t a possibility. A few […]
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A lot happens behind the scenes. Before we climb on the bikes, all sorts of details must be addressed. One of the most important, and most easily overlooked, is loading and unloading the trailer that hauls our stuff down the road. And there’s quite a bit of stuff. Here’s a look at a 6:30 am […]
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