PeaceBike Board of Directors Announcement

On October 18, 2001 (in the US) and October 19 (in India) Tad Beckwith joined the PeaceBike Board of Directors for their Fall meeting, via home computer – Internet meeting and speaker phone. Tad’s smile hit the screen as his laugh and words of greeting reached the Board from an Internet café in Hyderabad, India. After other business, the meeting focused on a primary concern to all – Tad’s upcoming route.

What was the plan? Nearly a year ago, Tad was booked on a November 1, 2001 flight from New Delhi, India – to Tehran, Iran. He planned to ride throughout Iran and seek permission to ride in Iraq before going on to Europe and back across North America.

The decision? As visa work was begun, and world events shifted so unexpectedly, it became increasingly clear to Tad and to the Board that his route needed to be carefully considered. The decision has now been made that Tad will return to Oregon in the very near future, riding in India until the departure for home is arranged.

For the many who have expressed concern about Tad’s safety as a solo bike rider during these difficult times, this will be welcomed news. The relief felt is undoubtedly mixed with a longing for the impact of Tad’s work to continue on – especially now as we are all reaching for more understanding and peaceful options in the world community. The reluctance to lose "what was yet to come" is also felt by Tad, but takes its place as "part of a hard decision that I now feel positive about." The Board agreed that Tad’s safety was a paramount issue, that the effectiveness of PeaceBike’s journey into the Middle East at this time was questionable, and that other options should be considered.

How was the decision made? The Board and Tad discussed many aspects of the journey and its role in the overall program and needs of PeaceBike. It was recognized that a decision not to bike through the Middle East now would either require moving the European journey into winter or re-routing entirely, and the alternative possibility and benefits of returning home were discussed. Tad has described that possibility in these words:

"I’d like to be on the ground, in my own country, as this is happening, to learn, to connect, and to share what I’ve experienced over these past two years. It is amazing what has happened with PeaceBike thus far. I think that story is needed now.

"Yes, there were more countries to visit, but we knew from the beginning we weren’t going into every country in the world. We originally planned two years, and then figured that wouldn’t give time enough to do more than just ride, and we wanted to share it all as we went. So we slowed down and set it at three. We’ve been in 23 countries, with four PeaceBikers visiting over 10,000 school kids and writing hundreds of journals. I feel like we have done what we wanted to do. And I feel ready to shift into the next stage."

What is to come? PeaceBike was launched with a biking "edu-venture" that has and will continue to be the central experience of the organization, connecting children around the world with each other, and sharing with people of all ages in that journey and learning. But PeaceBike is more than any one of its Expedition Team Members or the route that their bikes have taken. As Shauna completes her South American ride in Peru and Chile, and Tad completes his journey in India, the unfolding story of PeaceBike will continue, as it changes.

"Well, I’ll probably spend a little time making music with the fam’ and catch up with some friends and books at the library," Tad said. "I want to spend the remaining time on the trail really being a part of India and visiting classrooms and interviewing kids, so I know I’ll have some journals to catch up and get posted to the website, and some pics and videos too. But then, we’ll see. I want to be an example of someone who’s had an opportunity like this, to know others from around the world, to learn about their lives and hopes. I want to sit down and read through our journals myself. I might want to start visiting schools, or I might just want to bike into Portland and talk with kids whose parents grew up in Afghanistan.

"I thought I had another year to decide what would come next, and now it’s more like a month, so it may take some time."

PeaceBike can see many needs Tad could step into. One year into the journey the Board observed, "We need Tad there, and we need Tad here!" The Tad was "there" for two years, and now he’s headed back "here." For the journey that has been, we celebrate! For Frank, and Shauna, and Penny joining the journey with their own talents and vision and spirit, and taking it further, into places and ways not known at the beginning, we celebrate! For a strong sense of agreement that what is unfolding now is good, we celebrate! And for PeaceBike and the story of peace-in-the-making that Tad originally envisioned and invited the world to join, we are so very thankful. His life and this journey are gifts that shall continue to impact many others for good. Thank you, Tad!

We invite all to join PeaceBike and our PeaceBikers in the upcoming time of celebration. Where, how, and when, is still to be determined. Please help us know what that should be and find some way to become a part of it. And please give us your ideas for the work (and fun) of PeaceBike yet to come. How can this organization best keep on "connecting kids around the world so that their friendships make a more peaceful world for us all?" How can the learning and understanding of the past two years spread? What bike journeys are yet to happen – across town or beyond? As the answers come, let’s keep building peace together!

PeaceBike Board of Directors:

Jason Domer

Stephen Marshall

Danelle Till

P.S. If you’d like to contact Tad, you can email him at: tad@peacebike.org