Ride for Revelo

"The Great Outdoors"  is the current challenge for Frosted Designs.  Lately, we have been doing mostly indoor things due to the extreme heat and humidity here in my part of the world.  I pulled out these photos from our trip to the States last summer.  And yes, I did take them while riding my bike!  Now that's a dedicated photographer!  Or crazy Mum.  :)

I used the first photo to make my layout because I really liked the way the Revelo jersey stood out against all the green of the trees and really showed it off.  First my layout and then the story behind it.  Crate paper DIY collection, Studio Calico wood veneer (stars and bicycles), a page from the dictionary (R is for "ride"), and my beloved Thickers make up this layout.

Just a couple close ups....

Now for the story behind the photos......

Revelo is my younger brother's business.  He takes used bicycle tires and makes belts, credit card holders, and other products from them.  He's pretty smart and creative if you ask me.  :)  Joel has been diagnosed with Lupus and sick for just almost two years.  He has always been active and loves to ride his bike with goals of riding in the Tour de France.  He is a stay at home dad to my two nephews (6 & 3) while his wife works full time.  The doctor visits, blood tests, trip to Mayo clinic, and many medications had left them with quite a medical bill.

This past summer my family took a bike ride specifically to be Riding for Revelo.  Ride for Revelo was a bike riding event to help raise money for those bills.  Bike riders in Las Vegas (where Joel lived before moving recently to Colorado) and other parts of the country all rode on a particular Saturday to show their support for Joel.  Personally, I hadn't ridden a bike in ages but I rode 10 miles along with my husband, three boys, my older brother, his wife and my niece.  It felt quite emotional and good to be riding for Joel.

Joel and his beautiful family two years ago.  

I love this picture of Joel.  This is the essence of him....biking, Revelo, spiky hair, loving life at its best.

From this......to this.....

You can check out Joel's Revelo Etsy shop here or find him on Facebook.  Joel is still a stay at home dad taking care of his two boys while living with Lupus.  Some days are better than others but he is definitely a hero in my book.  

Stop on by the Frosted Designs blog for more outdoor inspiration.  We would love for you to play along with "The Great Outdoors" challenge.  Make sure you link up your project so I can check them out and for a chance to win a great prize.  Stay cool....or warm....depending on where you live....but enjoy that great outdoors of ours!