The Ride To Freedom

She stood at the edge of a winding path, staring at an old bicycle. It was rusty and battered, much like her soul, but it was hers now. The road ahead seemed endless, full of unknowns, steep hills, and sharp turns. Her heart pounded as she grasped the handlebars, unsure if she could even begin.

The First Push

At first, it was hard. Her feet trembled on the pedals, and the wobbling bike mirrored her unsteady emotions. It took courage to push off, to trust the motion. She fell—once, twice, too many times to count. But each fall was a reminder that movement, even shaky, was progress. Each time she picked herself up, she found a bit more balance.

The Weight of the Chain

The chain on the bike was heavy, dragging her down. It represented the lingering weight of the past—shame, fear, and the lies she had been told. She paused to adjust it, learning how to lighten the load. A kind passerby, someone who had once walked this path, stopped to help her. They tightened the chain, showing her that asking for help wasn’t weakness but strength.

The Uphill Struggle

The hills were daunting. She would pedal with all her might, legs burning, lungs gasping. Some hills seemed impossible, and she’d dismount, pushing the bike instead. But each hill taught her something: perseverance, patience, and the value of small victories.

The Coasting Moments

Then came the downhill stretches—the moments of peace when she felt the wind against her face. She smiled as she coasted, realizing that joy was possible again. These moments gave her a glimpse of what freedom felt like, a reminder of what she was pedaling toward.

The Flat Roads

On the even stretches, she had time to reflect. The steady rhythm of the pedals gave her clarity. She started to notice the beauty around her—the trees lining the path, the sun breaking through the clouds. She was beginning to see herself as part of this beauty, worthy of love and belonging.

The Community of Riders

Along the way, she met others on their own bikes. Some were just starting, wobbling like she once had. Others were further along, their movements fluid and graceful. They rode together for a time, sharing stories and offering encouragement. She realized she was part of a larger journey, a collective movement toward healing.

The Journey Continues

The road didn’t end; it stretched into the horizon. But as she rode, she grew stronger. The bike, once a symbol of struggle, became her means of freedom. The scars from her falls no longer defined her—they were proof of her resilience.

She wasn’t just riding a bike. She was reclaiming her life, one pedal at a time.

This narrative mirrors the recovery from human trafficking: the initial struggle to trust oneself, the weight of past trauma, the uphill battles, moments of joy, and the importance of community. Recovery, like learning to ride a bike, is a process of persistence, balance, and moving forward despite the falls.

Club members consist of passionate cyclists, advocates, and supporters to join us in this impactful journey. However, to make this team a success and extend its reach, we need your membership support. Your generous donation can help us:

Fund essential services for regional survivor organizations, including counseling, housing, and vocational training.
Expand our advocacy efforts to push for stronger anti-trafficking policies with local governments and law enforcement agencies.
Funding for professional and aspiring privateer athletes as they compete in premier endurance events like Lifetime Grand Prix, Belgian Waffle Ride, Tulsa Tough, Gravel Worlds and USA Gravel Nationals

Every tax-deductible contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to a world free from human trafficking.
We are asking for club members to contribute in one of the following ways: