The FREEDOM TOUR is all about stories. Well, it’s really about people, but the people all have cool stories. This thing that isn’t a bike ride attracts all sorts of interesting people who contribute in their own special manner. Greg was one of those folks. I “met” Greg online several years ago in the process […]
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How Did This Happen?
You can’t do something like this without a bit of looking back. When Becky and I proposed the FREEDOM TOUR three years ago we were absolutely sure it was a great idea. We thought someone else would grab the vision and run with it. Truthfully, we desperately wanted somebody to tell us what to do. Lesson: […]
Continue readingMore TagYou’re Crazy. Tell Me More!
One of our FREEDOM TOUR team members commented on an interesting perspective. Before the ride: “Are you crazy?? 500 miles in 8 days? You have to be out of your mind!!? After the ride: “You all really are crazy!! But, by the way, congratulations – and can you tell us more about the Home Of […]
Continue readingMore TagYour Job Or Your Life?
Why are you going to Ordway? As people looked at our route map, that was one of the common questions. Ordway is a small ranching community on Colorado’s eastern plains. It’s the pronounced “lump” in our meandering course along the Front Range. Why Ordway? involved an invitation we couldn’t refuse. It’s a long story, but I’d […]
Continue readingMore TagWho Gets In The Circle?
We invest a lot of energy in differences. Differences are an easy way to circle the wagons and close ranks. People like them don’t belong here. These pictures look pretty similar, at first. Wristbands, arms, hands together. On the left, the hands of the FREEDOM TOUR team on the day we climbed Raton Pass. On […]
Continue readingMore TagThe Tradition Of Obstacles
Nobody planned the tradition of obstacles. In fact, this particular tradition could fade away and we would be happy. However, it has made for interesting stories. In 2013 the team ended up in a snake-infested field. Okay, maybe “infested” is a bit strong, but they carried road bikes across a meadow and over at least one […]
Continue readingMore TagRaton Pass 2015 (Video)
Last Saturday our team climbed Raton Pass. Before the final ride, we reminded ourselves why we were doing this difficult thing. We talked about the kids at the Home of Hope. We remembered the people who helped us along the way. We prayed for all those who are still trapped by the horrors of human trafficking. After […]
Continue readingMore TagThe Awesome Power Of Simple
I’d like you to meet Ed. Ed and his wife Barbara operate The Refuge, an incredible retreat center in the foothills above Trinidad. They were kind enough to host our team on the final night of our tour. The Refuge is authentic adobe construction. Ed build most of the building himself over a period of twenty-five years. Ed […]
Continue readingMore TagIt’s Time To Be Tired
We were all tired yesterday. It’s the sort of tired that comes from satisfaction, from choosing to do a difficult thing and seeing it through. It’s time to let bikes rest for a day or two as bodies recover and minds reflect. If you followed our journey you saw lots of laughter and joy. We […]
Continue readingMore TagSlow Down!
Okay, slow down could mean many things on a bike tour. The biggest lesson I’ve learned on this tour is the value of unrushed. In our third try at this crazy notion we’ve stumbled upon a formula that gets us down the road safely, accomplishes our goals, and gets riders to the destination with time left to decompress, unwind, […]
Continue readingMore TagIt Goes By Fast
This thing you’re doing–it goes by fast. You’re reading this on Thursday of the FREEDOM TOUR. We planned for months, anticipated this week and what it might be like, looked forward to the start with incredible excitement. And suddenly, it’s Thursday. Five days and 310 miles are already behind us. Four generous overnight hosts, five days […]
Continue readingMore TagDon’t Make Small Stuff Big Stuff
Ever make a big deal out of small stuff? We can move a team of cyclists 70 miles safely down the road, eat great meals, enjoy a bit of silliness, help each other with bike repairs, and build great relationships. We travel through incredible scenery, meet interesting people, and interact with folks from around the […]
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