Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Celebrating 50 years of adventure and friendship
Jeff Stoopes, Jim Oines, Peter Crane and John Cross gathered at Selbu Lutheran Church to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their bicycle trip from Detroit, Mich, to Bolivia, Sunday, Oct. 13.
LACROSSE - Four men reunited at Selbu Lutheran Church on Sunday, Oct. 13, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of an extraordinary bicycle journey that transformed their lives and solidified their bond of brotherhood.
Embarking on a 10-month trek from Detroit, Mich., to La Paz, Bolivia, in 1974 - a time before cell phones, the internet or GPS, John Cross, of Lacrosse, Peter Crane, of Ojai, Cali., Jim Oines, of Thousand Oakes, Cali., and Jeff Stoops, of Cascade, Mont., bid farewell to friends and loved ones.
Together, they rode 8,334 miles, raising $34,000 for Lutheran world hunger efforts.
The reunion included a heartfelt presentation, beginning at 11:15 a.m., featuring a slideshow and original audio confessionals that brought back memories of their adventures.
"This was a rediscovery and a treat for me to relive it," Crane said. "We worked together until 2:30 a.m. to synchronize the presentation. If we had any advice for young people, just keep going. Keep pedaling. It's an adventure, and even though life won't be easy sometimes, you just keep going."
As they gathered to commemorate their milestone, the group reflected on how their experiences together created a bond deeper than mere friendship.
"We are like brothers," John Cross, now the pastor at Selbu Lutheran Church, stated. "We've faced many challenges together- a stroke, lost a child-but we always keep pedaling through life. Life can get tough, but we've made it through over 50 years."
The journey that began on Sunday, Oct. 12, 1974, was not just about cycling; it became a significant mission.
Officially sent off from a national convention in Detroit, they visited 33 Lutheran churches along their route to the Mexican border, finding meals and shelter in each community.
"We became a 'living logo' for the United Mission Appeal for the Lutheran Church," Stoopes explained. "God was always providing for us. All good comes from God, so we never gave up on each other."
The men endured numerous challenges along the way, including extreme weather, countless bike repairs, and even nearly losing their passports.
They spent Christmas in Mexico City, forging connections that enriched their commitment to their mission and each other.
"It showed how God works through friendships," Oines said, reflecting on their departure from the convention center. "Life is a journey no matter if you ride your bike to South America or not. We are still on our journey even though we are older."
Just 30 miles from their final destination in La Paz, Oines' bike broke beyond repair.
Instead of letting that setback define their journey, the group finished together, completing the last stretch by bus.
"It was never about the miles we rode; it was about the shared experience," Stoopes said. "We were four young men that didn't always agree, but we always forgave each other and came back to each other."
The day's sermon at Selbu Lutheran Church echoed the theme of perseverance, titled "Keep Pedaling."
"The sermon was a reminder that we've all had setbacks, but we can keep moving forward. We've faced our challenges, yet here we are, celebrating our journey," noted Cross.
Though Oines can no longer ride due to health issues, he remains determined to embrace life's adventures.
"I'm going to get a mo-ped trike one day," he said with a smile.
Following the presentation and church service on the day, the men went to Hay to enjoy a spaghetti meal together before Oines, Crane and Stoopes traveled back to their homes.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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