Category: Reflections

I sent an email yesterday that put some things in perspective. I wrote to two American missionaries. As I proofed my message I realized the danger they encounter in tasks I take for granted. I wonder about the remote possibility of identity theft if my personal details end up in the wrong hands on the […]

Becky and I discovered this week that lots of people don’t “get” what we’re doing. That’s a little frustrating. When you’re in the middle of something and you’re passionate about it, it’s hard to imagine how any rational being can’t understand every nuance of our project. Obviously, they’re not listening. And then I recall something […]

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) I think I spend a lot of time in front of open doors. I can wonder all I want about opportunity and possibility and dreams, but an open door […]

When you encounter a life-altering event, others are always eager to advise you when it’s time to move on. At the time of my injury in 1987, I wanted to get semi-serious about cycling. I’d purchased what, at the time, was a decent road bike. Twenty-seven years passed, and that bike sat in a few […]

What happens when you give a no-strings-attached gift and the person to whom you gave it takes advantage of you by misusing the gift? Okay, that’s kind of convoluted. Let’s break it down. First, let’s define “gift.” In its purest form, a gift is offered with no strings attached. For example, we send flowers to […]

Last week we talked about the mysterious process of Gathering A Team. Some people believe it’s possible to manipulate the process and manage the results. I disagree. I think the best you can do is create the right environment and enjoy what happens. We begin with a shared purpose. We’re riding our bikes 500 miles […]

Ever feel like you’re engaging in futility? My friend Mike and I talked last week about 25 kids at the HOME OF HOPE and the enormity of the human trafficking issue. The numbers alone can be staggering—nearly thirty million humans living in modern-day slavery, more than 100,000 U.S children trafficked into prostitution every year, second-largest […]

A team is a curious thing. I’m working these days on routes and presentations and lots of other stuff that will involve our team on FRONT RANGE FREEDOM TOUR ’14. It’s curious to think about twelve individual riders and two SAG drivers, while realizing that I’m planning for this other entity called a team that […]

We’ve got our team! Twelve cyclists and two full-time support drivers will make the 500-mile trip together from Cheyenne to Raton Pass. It’s gonna be a blast! I’m anxious to tell you more about these committed folks and all the other people who will help us accomplish our mission. Today I want to let you […]

I get to do some of the coolest stuff, mostly just by hanging around amazing people like you. A while back a few of you took me up on my Offer You Can’t Refuse to sponsor a guy from Harvest Farm on the one-day ride as part of FRONT RANGE FREEDOM TOUR ’14. Over the […]

My friend Paul and I talked a while back about the benefits of a bike adventure combined with advocating for a social justice cause. We shared stories of riders who exceeded everyone’s expectations because they were riding for something bigger than themselves. I said I wish everyone could have that sort of experience and sometimes […]

“Your injury gives you an unfair advantage.” People actually say this to me. I get their point. Somehow they think it’s easy to sell books and land speaking gigs because I have this inspirational story to write and speak about. Frankly I haven’t always reacted well. I don’t say it out loud, but internally I’m […]