Post #3 - Inspiration

There were two inputs in my life that spurred me toward this trip and I feel a desire to explain.

The route Dad explored the western US when he was in his early 20's

First, I grew up the son of a father that loved the great outdoors, traveling, big game hunting and exploration.  When Joe Lane was in his early 20’s, he and a close friend departed West Texas by automobile and explored the western US for nearly a month.

Deer hunt outside of Montrose, CO

They headed north with the Canadian boarder in their sights, as they had dreamed for years to experience Banff and Lake Louis.  Then they looped back around through California and home.  Growing up with those stories and seeing the pictures created a lasting and hazy vision, living inside of me.  My father passed years ago, but I could only imagine how happy and proud he would be of Audra and I. 

Charlie and Ewan

Second are the insanely popular video series, Long Way Round and Long Way Down, of Ewan McGregor and Charley Bormann riding their motorbikes around the globe and from Scotland to the tip of Africa.  Year after year I watch those episodes through the winter and dream of my own adventures that I will be attempting.  …..A shot-out and thank you to Ewan and Charley for their work and willingness to share their experiences with the rest of us.   But mostly, “thank you Mom, Dad and Audra for allowing me to be adventurous, giving my spirit a chance to soar.”

Little brother Jim on the front, brother Clay and me on the back....got me started on bikes!!!!

Post #2 - Introductions

I suppose introductions are in order, as some will be reading who don’t know the Colorado Lane’s.

Dinner celebrating Audra's completion of her Master's Degree

 
John was born in Alpine, Texas, the son of a cattle ranching family. He is one of 10 children, from parents that birthed and raised their working hands. The family heritage is salt of the earth, hard-working conservative Christians. The Lane’s never looked for a handout, and overcame when the times were tough. They played hard, laughed a lot, enjoyed life and felt blessed with what they had. John’s first 20 years found him hanging his hat in West Texas, New Mexico and eastern Oregon on cattle ranches that were family owned and operated. 

Audra was raised in San Antonio and west Texas. Her heritage was primarily German Hill-County folks, who lived off the land and kept family the #1 priority. In the early years, her family was well off, running an independent insurance firm. Around his late 30’s, Audra’s father felt the call, dropped everything and moved the family to Fort Davis, TX, to pastor a church. Small town life, the ministry and athletics were Audra’s world. 

We love the big KTM to explore the Colorado Mountains

John and Audra dated in high school, broke up and then reconnected in college. By the end of their sophomore year, they were married, knowing it was a life-long covenant. Upon graduation, an early career in public teaching and athletic coaching consumed John’s life. Audra was busy bringing four beautiful babies into this world, raising them, managing the home and finishing her college degree. 

After a decade in classrooms, gymnasiums and housewife duties, along with a brief sabbatical in full-time ministry, John and Audra changed careers, and moved to the mountain west, eventually landing in Colorado Springs, CO. Fourteen years the Lane’s have called Colorado home. Four children are raised, two marriages have been celebrated and three grandbabies bless their lives, with John and Audra living the high life of “Empty-Nesting”.   Today John is a sales executive in the education technology industry and Audra is a public school administrator. 

Audra and our 4 children

Motorcycle adventures began to dominate the Lane family’s recreation ten years ago. As a part of that passion, John founded and led an AMA Charter, Rocky Mountain Adventure Riders. With a deeper desire to serve, John dove into OHV advocacy, connected strongly with the Trails Preservation Alliance and the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition. More recently John and Audra founded and currently lead Grace Moto Adventures, an adventure motorcycle, Christian ministry (www.gracemotoadv.com).

Post #1 - Kick-off

John soaking up the Colorado Mountains

It’s tough to identify a starting point for this endeavor, as I have dreamed and researched a trip to Alaska for several years. But sitting around my family on a cold winter evening over the holidays, I was reflecting on the previous year and plans for the coming year. Soon to turn 48 years old, I decided it was time. On December 31, 2015 I put the proverbial stake in the ground with a social media, public statement.

When Audra speaks, John listens

In the following weeks, I began to research and maps were scrutinized. Two months later, the original plan came together for me to ride from Colorado Springs to the Arctic Ocean and back to Colorado. Then I began to loose control…… Over a glass of wine on a Saturday night in March, Audra said, “I have studied your route and it is certainly the most epic adventure you have ever done, and I have decided I am going to ride the whole thing with you.” After I picked my jaw up, off the floor, I then gave her over two dozen reasons why that was a horrible idea, so that she understood the gravity of the commitment. After two weeks of conversations, I relented and embraced with excitement that my wife was 100% solid. I knew I would miss her terribly and the experience would be incomplete if I solo'd for the full 20+ days. BUT....there was one firm condition that she demanded. There had to be a roof over our head and a hot shower every evening. No tent camping on this adventure, but an easy sell for her, as I was thrilled she was coming with me. Yes, I was truly thrilled.