Ride for Freedom has concluded. It’s actually done. I almost don’t believe it ever happened. I’m sitting on a comfortable computer chair as I write this email and no longer have to worry about the constant chafing from my bike saddle. I can’t quite feel all of my fingers yet, but the numb tingling on the tips of a few fingers is easy to type through. My shins are no longer caked with a combo of sunscreen, dirt, sweat, a little dried blood, and dead bugs. The tan lines are still on the thighs though and defined. I actually miss the griminess because it was quite freeing.

People have been really sweet, asking how it feels to be done. I've said, “happy to not be riding a bike” or a simple “good” because I didn’t know how to properly explain my thoughts. The truth is that I feel weird. Not a bad weird, just a weird weird. This trip has been 3 years in the works and a 6-month life-consuming project. I mean, I literally got a job at a bike shop for the final month so I could be surrounded by bikes before the ride. So, it’s odd being done and just thrown back into "real life". It’s kind of like the feeling of taking a big family picture but not knowing what to do with your arms. You’re happy to be in the picture but you don’t know if you should put an arm around that cousin you haven’t seen in awhile, put them in your pockets to be casual, or maybe put left hand over right down in front like a groomsman.

After celebrating the finale at the Freedom Café, my father drove Aly and me home. We were talking about our experience and Aly made a joke that she was waiting for this “ethereal AH-HA” moment to happen on the trip. She explained it like having a sudden epiphany and then feeling the meaning of life transport into our bodies. She was clearly joking, but deep down in the childish recesses of our brains, we were both expecting it to happen. It didn’t. I feel the same, just a bit tuckered out. But, my dad gave some words of wisdom. He said, “pivotal moments in life never feel like pivotal moments until you look back on them years later”. I like that. I already know this has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I’m excited to look at it in a few years to see it as an ethereal AH-HA experience.

Some of you rode the entire thing, others rode what you could, were interviewed, fed us along the way, paid for a roof over our heads, offered your own homes to stay, kept us hydrated, helped us figure out the millions of logistics before the trip, gave advice, calmed me from the mind-racing anxiety of planning, donated, wished us safe travels, and even sponsored event! You all took part in making RFF what it became. I’m forever thankful for all your support and help. I know the rest of the team feels the same. And to those who were interviewed for participating in an organization making positive change, a big special thanks for your public service! I’m excited to show everyone the interviews after they are edited! Thank you all!

Lots of love, 

Mike