Better than that…imagine an NFL stadium filled with hope. Last Friday, everyone in US Bank Stadium was dedicated to hope. While our event didn’t quite pack the place with people, A NIGHT FOR HOPE filled the venue with stories of encouragement and hope. Doug Kaufman and HOPE360 brought storytellers from around the country to network, share our stories, and […]
Continue readingCategory: Freedom Tour
How I Remember The Hills
Becky and I are in Minneapolis today for an event called A NIGHT FOR HOPE. We’re excited to be part of an event dedicated to promoting stories of encouragement through HOPE360. I’m looking forward to connecting with inspirational people from around the country. Plus, we get a VIP tour of US Bank Stadium, the Minnesota Vikings brand […]
Continue readingThe Courage To Take The Next Step
“I’m not sure where this thing is going.” My friend and I talked over lunch as he shared uncertainty about the direction of his ministry. “There are so many moving parts, so much that’s beyond my influence, that I can’t really see how it’s all going to play out.” Ever been there? (I see those […]
Continue readingWhy You Should Remember
I find the trail by riding it, then I look back and discover a path. There’s a lot of recent conversation about “Never Forget.” More important, I think, to remember. Remember acts as a sort of curator, sorting, cataloging, and displaying the past. Remember seeks patterns and distills lessons. Remember allows us the perspective of time to separate wheat […]
Continue readingWriting A Story We Didn’t Understand
It’s important to celebrate. Today’s a big-deal anniversary for us. Five years ago on September 12, 2011 Becky, Monte, and I met some friends at Lake Itasca, Minnesota. We snapped a few pictures, prayed, and took off on a 1500-mile handcycle journey along the Mississippi River. When I cranked away from Lake Itasca that morning, […]
Continue readingWhen We Zoom In On Fear
I snapped this photo near the end of my ride yesterday. I climb this small hill a couple of miles from home whenever I ride the bike trails. For an old guy who cranks with his arms it’s still a bit of a challenge, especially at the end of a long ride. When I first […]
Continue readingMeet Two Bold Guys
Rustin Hughes and Dustin Speakman are following a dream. Along a river. On bikes. Sounds familiar, huh? This week these two Army vets are cranking 560 miles from Fort Collins to Omaha. They’ll complete the Platte River Memorial Ride, Rustin on a handcycle and Dustin on a recumbent, to raise funds for the family of a […]
Continue readingSpeaking At The Crossing
This bike riding thing opens some amazing doors. Last week I was invited to speak to the staff of the Denver Rescue Mission at a very cool venue called THE CROSSING. I was honored and humbled to be in the midst of these special folks who do such incredible work. Most people know DRM for […]
Continue readingWhy You Should Care
Most of you aren’t disabled. You don’t need the ramps, the wider parking spaces, the bathroom grab bars. You don’t need most of the stuff marked by “the little blue guy.” Perhaps you don’t even know anyone who needs those adaptations. So why should you care? Why should you care about an issue that doesn’t […]
Continue readingWhy The Best View Is The Long View
What’s the big idea? Maybe it’s all those years creating curriculum, writing exams, and crafting lesson plans. I seem to look for the big idea, the underlying principle, the notion that ties things together. As long as I’m not doing brain surgery, I figure I can Google the details if I understand the basic ideas. FREEDOM […]
Continue readingThe Thrill Of Passing The Slow Guy
I’m faster than I used to be. If you’ve followed along for a while you’ll know my handcycling has been a long process. In my book RICH’S RIDE there’s a chapter titled Exordio Somnii (The Beginning Of The Dream) that describes the 2-block, 30-minute ride that started this whole thing. (read excerpt here) Yeah–2 blocks in 30 minutes in […]
Continue readingA Lesson About Differences And Change
On this year’s FREEDOM TOUR I learned a lot about different. You might think that’s odd, that a guy who’s lived in a wheelchair for 28 years shouldn’t need to learn about different. You might think that after all those years of navigating a world mostly designed for able-bodied folks I’d have a pretty good […]
Continue reading