Rich Dixon is back with a creepy story. Sort of.

But before you read that, I want to point you to his post from this week: Busted. His bike frame broke this weekend, while on this year’s ride. Read his post and join him (and Becky and others) in asking God to support the kids and encourage him.

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The story of the first Freedom Tour in 2013 wouldn’t be complete without “The Snake-Infested Field Incident.”

You might think it’s a silly episode with no deeper message. More about that later.

I planned our routes carefully. Google Maps, still in its infancy, told me “Outlaw Trail” linked East/West Trail to Chatridge Ct. in unincorporated South Denver. I even called a local bike shop to verify.

The team left our host church in Denver (I wasn’t riding, thankfully) and found the East/West Trail. After a few miles, this paved trail turned into a gravel trail. Then, the trail disappeared completely.

Outlaw Trail was “planned.” It didn’t exist – yet. The team stood in the middle of an open field. With no cell coverage.

Backtrack and find a different route? Not these adventurers. Couldn’t be that far, right? So, they picked up their bikes and began trekking across the field.

Along the way they encountered cactus and rattlesnakes and climbed a couple of fences. Not what you expect when you sign up for a road bike trip.

Eventually they found Chatritge Ct., climbed on their bikes, and resumed the journey. When they found the support vehicle they were laughing and giggling and couldn’t wait to tell the story.

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When I heard what happened, I felt terrible because I tried so hard to plan safe routes. My teammates had every right to be upset. Instead, they chuckled, graciously accepted my apology, and turned what might have been disaster into a memorable story.

Forgiveness. Kindness. Laughter. Grace. That kind of stuff happens within a community following Jesus to seek justice.

For me, every tour recalls the disciples traveling with Jesus, sitting around campfires at night, telling stories, laughing and learning.

Perhaps that’s part of what He meant by “Follow Me.”

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If we listen, Jesus has a way of bringing meaning to even silly incidents.