I’d like to share something with you…
As a friend, you know me and you know I love to cycle. If I could, I would cycle to the kitchen every morning to fetch my breakfast. Two years ago I found myself answering yes to a question asked by an acquaintance. He asked me if I would like to join him on a two-week cycling tour of the French countryside. I didn’t give it much thought; I didn’t need to. The idea of cycling through the bucolic back roads of France while sipping the local vino was to me a simple no-brainer.
The trip was as I expected; full of beauty, challenges and wonderful adventures. Most importantly, I made new friends and learned a few things along the way. I am very thankful for all the wonderful experiences I’ve had traveling with my bicycle. I’ve often wondered if there was a way that I could help others through my love for the two-wheeled iron donkey. I started a blog (www.crankee.me) to help people learn about cycling culture in Japan. I’ve helped many friends rediscover cycling and even helped some choose the right bicycle for their needs.
Yet still, I felt there had to be more I could do through cycling to make a real difference in people’s lives. The answer came from my buddy and cycling partner Lowell Sheppard. Lowell suggested I join him and another ex-pat, Mark McBennett, on an eight day cycling tour through the Japanese Alps. The Challenge is to cycle from the Pacific coast to the Sea of Japan coast while following the route taken by the great 19th century mountaineer Walter Weston across the Southern Alps of Japan. Lowell added that we could also seek sponsors for the trip and raise money to help people obtain clean water and become self-sufficient. As with the France tour, this one was also a no-brainer.
So I’d like to take a moment to ask if you would consider sponsoring me during this tour. I can promise you that 100% of what you pledge will go towards helping people in Cambodia obtain access to clean water and thus lead them down the road to self-sufficiency. Your pledge will help keep me motivated as I cycle up some of the highest peaks in Japan with nothing more than the power of my legs and the thought of making a difference in another human being’s life. You can make a pledge here. Thank you.
Tony Torres
Riding the wind
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