Category: Notes From The Road

Sometimes I wonder why Becky lets me out without a leash. Yesterday I took off from our Albuquerque hotel for a late-morning ride. It was a beautiful day, and as I started I watched the last few stragglers from the Balloon Fiesta float gracefully over the city. I had to negotiate the center of town, […]

RICH’S RIDE involves a lot of unexpected appointments. We plan a lot. A big part of our purpose is to share our story and talk about hope, so we set up speaking gigs and media connections. But often the most important opportunities arise in completely unexpected circumstances. I suppose some would see these as coincidence. […]

If I’d known how hard it would be, I probably wouldn’t have done it. I’ll bet you’ve said—or thought—that. The marriage, raising kids, that career change, starting the new business—I’ll bet there’s something you did simply because you really didn’t know what you were getting into. I knew the pass I climbed yesterday would be […]

Well, today’s the day. At about 7:00 am I’ll crank along Paseo Del Pueblo (which I think means “the main drag of Taos”), turn left on Highway 518, stop for the road construction, and start up what the locals call “U.S. Hill.” In about 13 miles I’ll climb from about 6900 feet in Taos to […]

RICH’S RIDE is the story of a dream. We’re in Taos, and Wednesday we’ll start writing the next chapter in the story as we head south toward Santa Fe. It’s time to begin TAOS TO TUCSON. I’m excited. Starting Wednesday morning (if all goes well) the link below will open a web page that shows […]

I’m always honored, and a little mystified, when someone invites me to speak to a group. I’m honored because someone believes our story is inspiring or interesting enough to be worthy of the group’s time. I’m mystified because, well, it’s just me. As part of the FREEDOM Tour, I received perhaps my most curious speaking […]

One of the coolest aspects of bike touring is traveling slow on less heavily traveled roads. You get the opportunity to notice things. Woody is a noticer. He  sees stuff the rest of us pass by, and takes time to stop and look and snap a photo so we can enjoy it later and wonder why […]

I knew Praise Church in Pueblo would be special when Pastor Darron met us as we pulled into the parking lot. “We’re taking good care of your friend Jim. It’s the first time we’ve had a buck-naked bike rider in church.” Thursday, June 27 I guess I should explain. Jim succumbed to the extreme heat […]

As we prepared to climb Raton Pass on the final day of Front Range FREEDOM Tour, someone played the song SNOWIN’ ON RATON by Townes Van Zandt. It was an emotional morning anyway, and the song apparently held special meaning for a few of our riders. I saw some tears as we stood in a […]

Front Range FREEDOM Tour wasn’t a bike ride. Colorado offers plenty of serious bike rides. Ride The Rockies. Courage Classic. Triple Bypass. MS 150. Anyone searching for a hard-core, go-at-your-own-best-speed, put-your-head-down-and-get-cranking bike ride has lots of options. The FREEDOM Tour would have frustrated riders seeking that sort of experience. Our team cycled more than 400 […]

It really wasn’t my fault. Okay, it probably was, but I’m not sure what I could have done differently to avoid this particular brush with disaster. Before we left, our church prayed for our team and sent us as missionaries. I’m glad I didn’t realize the prophetic implications of the sign behind the pastor. I knew […]

Kindness and generosity surround us. It’s one of the enduring lessons of RICH’S RIDE. Wherever we travel, Becky and I encounter people eager to help. Our Front Range FREEDOM Tour team found the same attitude everywhere along our route. Within a seemingly limitless sea of thoughtfulness, some acts of generosity are so unexpected and over-the-top […]