Sweet home...Alabama

Well, the first week of The Underground Railroad/5WeeksforFreedom tour finished out yesterday morning with a thrilling ride down the MOUNTAIN climbed by the team the day before...at the end of a 75 mile ride. I managed to reach 35.8 mph on a glide...It was great to glide for a change. Somehow the team got this weird idea...probably from me...that Alabama was flat. So...uhhh...not true. It has been challenging at time to climb side by side with cars on the narrowest of shoulders. I have a computer on my bike that measures the cumulative amount of climbing and at the end of the first week of biking we have amassed a shocking 8,524 feet. So, as you can see Alabama...not so flat.

I have seen miracles this week...I have seen the divine protection of Gods hand over the team as we rode in some very dangerous situations. We have gotten lost a time or two and God positioned someone EXACTLY where they need to be to help us find the way. I have seen the most outstanding southern hospitality from churches...store clerks...motorist...people on the street. Puzzled expressions turn into full smiles when people see us and find out why a bunch of people would be out on bikes under the hot Alabama sun. More importantly I have seen this team face some significant physical challenges with smiles and gritty determination that they would finish out the day. Look...these are not pro or even serious recreational cyclist, for the most part. But, one thing they have is passion for this issue of human trafficking and modern day slavery. They believe that ONE person can make a difference. The way you make that difference is to abandon what is safe and comfortable and make a sacrifice for five weeks. As a team we believe that with great sacrifice, comes great reward...The reward for us is knowing that a child being trafficked for sex in a dark and hopeless world will be given a chance for freedom by the simple act of riding our bikes 1800 miles this summer. I believe that once you become aware of these horrific issues you cannot simply sit idly by and do nothing. EVERYONE....I repeat EVERYONE can do something...what will you do this summer???