Joel Boggs is not a bicyclist. He doesn’t like riding a bike, and makes it a point never to be on one. And yet, Joel Boggs rides his bicycle more than 500 miles in a single trip from Fairbanks to Soldotna every year. He rides to honor the memory of his late son, who died of a heroine overdose in 2018.
Two years after his son, Danny, pass away from an overdose, Joel came to the peninsula to meet Jennifer Waller of Freedom House, a faith-based, level 2, long-term substance abuse recovery residence in Soldotna. All it took was one meeting, and Joel knew he had found a new purpose in life.
“After I lost my boy, I went down to visit Freedom House, and when I heard [Waller] speak, I decided then and there that I would be an active supporter of Freedom House,” Boggs says.
The symbolic ride began a year later, and on Wednesday Boggs, along with fellow rider Brody McEwen, arrived at Freedom House after completing their second annual ride.
“What a joy it was to welcome the ‘Freedom Riders’ to the Freedom House today,” Freedom House posted to their Facebook page. “They rode their bicycle’s from Fairbanks to Soldotna – 504 miles!! They do it in loving memory of Joel’s son Danny, all the addicts still suffering, and the ones that are finding freedom!! They got sponsors and raised over $6,500 for Freedom House!! We are so thankful and humbled by their courage, bravery and generosity! God bless Freedom Riders.”
Freedom House is a facility for recovering addicts in need of a safe place to live to stay sober, and to become a productive member of society. The requirements of Freedom House will provide them with the life-skills they need to move forward with a clean and sober life while expecting them to pursue a relationship with the One who came that they “may have life, and have it in abundance.”
I’m not a bicycle guy,” Boggs says. He laughs as he continues, “I hate riding. I don’t ride ever. I just get on and ride this one trip, 500 miles, and then I put the bike away. I don’t know where the idea came from. It just popped into my head. Then I began to speak about it at work, and Brody took to it right away. Then we had a beautiful trip down exactly this time last year, August 26. That was our first Freedom Ride.”
Boggs says a number of people have asked to join his ride next year, and in the years to come.
Out of a tragedy, recovering addicts are finding freedom. Joel Boggs and his Freedom Riders will return to the road this time next year to carry their banner across Alaska.
*Photos courtesy of the Joel Boggs, and Freedom House Facebook pages.
