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 It’s very difficult to put words to an experience at times. Many times in the recent past it seems for me, I’m sure this resonates with millions of others enjoying the roller coaster ride of life. When your in the midst of a moment and you become so aware to the people beside you, the sky the landscape and sounds. Well, after recently riding 565 km across the beautiful countries of Vietnam and Cambodia I sit writing here this morning reflecting like it was some sort of dream. A special dream at that! Emotionally packed full of laughter and tears. But the one thing that stood out in my mind the most was the blessing to watch peoples paradigms change over the course of the trip. It was as if there was a big energy shift the moment we crossed into Cambodia from the Vietnam border. I’ve spoken to many people that I shared this experience with and they feel much the same. I did a similar ride last year and it was equally as special, just like everyday we live is one to be cherished and honoured. This year though, my eyes were more lets say “wide open”. Somebody asked me what the highlight of the ride was. I can’t give an answer to that question. The main thing was that for a brief space of time the group I was with were able to will our way across  two countries for a cause that will benefit because of our self determination and all the support from donators, family and whoever tuned into what we were doing. it’s funny how I thought to myself during this ride “I wonder how many people are riding a bike across SE Asia for human trafficking and sex slavery?” It didn’t make me feel special or extraordinary..It made me feel like it was a gift, I was proud. I had one day where a migraine headache came on. It was the last day of the ride where we had to ride 95kms. I woke up feeling great, and was dedicating that last day to a world filled with peace and no violence. An hour in I got vertigo and lost my speech. This wasn’t out of the norm as I’ve been dealing with migraines since I was a kid. I think I drank 3 litres of water straight, prayed my butt off, and within a half an hour I was peddling with force and purpose. usually my headaches take at least 2 days to leave my head. This day I was lucky? Whatever the case, I feel privileged to have given a piece of my heart along with everyone else involved. I wouldn’t change a thing…The first few days were tough getting back into the rhythm of life. This wasn’t a vacation! It was a trip though that defined a different meaning to everyone who shared the experience together. Cambodia I will be seeing you again sooner than you think ! 

Thank You, Ryan J P.

 Like most undertakings in life we don’t know exactly how they are going to play out. There’s always unexpected turns of events that surprise us in anything we do. Especially when we decide to put our lives on hold for something so worth while. My decision to do this beautiful, physically and mentally demanding test came in two parts. Part one: making the choice to ride for girls that have been either sold or trafficked into the nasty realities of the sex trade. That was the purpose! The reward that came along with the purpose was part two: This part held the most power in not just my heart, but for the riders involved, their families and people that watched from city streets and country side roads, some of them wondering maybe “who are these people” and why? The why was found when two lovely spirits joined our group after crossing the Vietnam border into Cambodia  (Theara and Vouern) The two girls are survivors and global change agents against the fight against modern day slavery. That wasn’t who they were as people though. As people they are just like us, and I’m proud to say on behalf of the group of riders we rode with that love in our hearts and just a willingness to make a difference, they are one and the same. Even though in their lives they’ve had to surmount a lot more than the average of any person on this earth, they have a love inside them that just radiates with a relentless willingness to change others that have gone through similar circumstances . I don’t want to make a list of names because that would take away from the full significance of what we rode for. We rode for not only our own beliefs but for the countless other people that are effected by this global issue. As much emotions were shared, many happy times were shared as well. After exposing our feelings to one another a transmutation of energy shifted. People let their guard down more and showed the pure humanness that we all share as a global community. Dancing, singing in dirty bike gear…All just acting as an alliance of love towards a goal that seems hard to fight at times when many of us in the world don’t get to see certain aspects of what the severity of the crime inflicts on the human heart. I could go deeper, but I’m going to use this life experience to just be more present, ask more questions and no matter what just make everyday count. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people behind the scenes that make this wheel turn. Lives are being changed through people that aren’t on the bikes as well, it’s people like Somaly that is dealing with government officials, people that devote their time to help nurture the newly suffered and propel the ones that are ready to be reintegrated into society to thrive like they deserve. I’m proud of everyone I cried with, doesn’t it feel good just to make a stand for what’s right! Today is a good day for many, but for many it’s not, it’s one of suffering . But to know that dents are being drilled with force into a crime that will one day come to an end, hopefully in our lifetime, wouldn’t that be something amazing!! Don’t waste time, don’t be afraid. The eyes and souls the riders saw brought out more momentum. It doesn’t have to be a bike ride, but maybe,,,just maybe see what you can do to help someone out today that needs your help.

LOVE RYAN.