Evan Craft Proves Life is About the Journey, Not the Destination, With ‘The Extra Mile’
Bilingual artist Evan Craft took the ride of a lifetime in 2018, and he details every facet of the adventure in “The Extra Mile: An Extraordinary Cycling Journey to Find Faith and Purpose.” Available in both English and Spanish, the book offers an inspiring look into how one impossible idea unlocked an unexpected mission, unforeseen connections and unimaginable transformation.
After playing the biggest show of his career, Craft exits the stage feeling like something is missing from his life. Inspired by a friend who completed a cycling trip to raise money for charity, the California native decides to embark on a biking expedition of his own. The initial goal is to cycle 1,200 miles, coast-to-coast, across South America and raise $100,000 for local nonprofits doing meaningful work in the area. Along the way, Craft will host concerts to assist with fundraising efforts.
With this ambitious vision, Craft doubles down on assembling a team that eventually includes a pair of professional cyclists who are both amputees, his band, multiple videographers and a fearless circle of individuals willing to forsake their comfort zones and see what they’re made of.
“Have you ever felt like your life lacked purpose or meaning or struggled to feel closer to God? I have. That’s where ‘The Extra Mile’ begins,” Craft offers. “But this isn’t just a book about my journey cycling across South America. It’s about finding God’s purpose, discovering true friendship, and learning what it means to serve others when life gets tough.”
With his peloton in place, a strategic route mapped out and a practical means of financing the endeavor, Craft assumes he’s on his way to victory. What transpires, however, is a quest that’s far harder than he pictures and far more rewarding than he could ever dream.
No amount of training could prepare him for what lies ahead. Over 18 days, Craft and his tight little group of strangers-turned-friends traverse city and countryside, mountain and valley, beach and desert. They battle wind, rain and hail. They encounter numerous altercations with police and border security. They face delays courtesy of flat tires, illness and one sickening accident that results in a hospital visit for two participants. The videographers capture every twist and turn, and those moments are chronicled in an accompanying documentary.
With every mile — from Chile to Argentina — Craft is candid about his mistakes, his regrets and his fears. He aptly names their daring voyage “Ciclo Vida,” meaning “bike life.” Back hunched, head down, eyes focused, legs pumping, the “Desesperado” singer often recalls wisdom gleaned over the course of his life, particularly from his father — a pastor — and his friend, fellow artist Marcos Witt, who once asked him: “Are you trying to be an artist or a soldier?” The pivotal question is one Craft asks himself daily as he is faced with big and small decisions throughout his bold pilgrimage.
In addition to his transparency, the musician also gives readers a glimpse into his backstory as he reflects on the man he aspires to become. Following his dad’s affair, his parents divorced. His family relationships got complicated, and so did his church dynamic, considering his dad was a minister. As he pedals across the beautiful and diverse terrain of a country he deeply loves, Craft openly wrestles with how his past will shape his future, how his motives affect his calling and how this trip will, ultimately, change his life forever.
By the conclusion of the trek, Craft and his team don’t reach their fundraising goal. They encounter more obstacles than they ever thought possible. And yet, the bond they forge, the lessons they learn and the difference they make along the way are worth every single hardship. In the end, Craft decides to pivot in a way that’s heartwarming, affirming that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness make the biggest impact.
Those longing for a greater sense of meaning and adventure will discover encouragement for their own path by following Craft’s. Yet, the singer-songwriter admits he doesn’t necessarily expect people to finish “The Extra Mile” and purchase a bike or plot a course. Instead, he advises, “Close the cover and go out and find the people whose influence on your life will help to shape and strengthen your character. Finish this book and set your sights on drawing ever closer to God. Orient your life around loving people the way Jesus loved them. Set goals that propel you closer to the people who need God’s love the most. Live a live that is rich in purpose.”
This book reveals Team Ciclo Vida pedaling out this motto in real time. Although Craft’s love of music is naturally intertwined in the narrative, even those who are unfamiliar with his songs will find themselves drawn to “The Extra Mile.” This isn’t a “behind the music” installment. This is a once-in-a-lifetime exploit, and Craft graciously invites readers to tag along.
“The Extra Mile” is a story of grit and resilience. It’s proof of what can happen when we take a brave leap of faith and allow God to lead.
