Galen Bratton, the older brother of Human Powered Movement founder Adam Bratton recently completed his first multi-day bikepacking trip of the 184 mile Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Trail.

Although many have ridden this popular and completely car-free route, from Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC (or vice versa), the experience with his HS pals did more than just allow for a few days away from computer screens and onto two-wheels. It re-inspired the childlike wonder of riding bikes, it re-invigorated the need to move through nature, and it reinforced 40+ years of friendship.
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We tossed a few questions his way to get a feel for what last week’s pedal powered comradely session meant to him and his HS buds.

​In early 2022, I got a seemingly random text from adventure pal, Samuel Martin (of “Available for Pickup Only” fame amongst others) It simply said “Packrafting trip in Alaska?”. Wesley Maxwell (the photographer behind most of Human Powered Movement’s shenanigans) was also on the text and immediately responded the same obvious way I did. “Love it … I’m in!”. These semi-serious and semi-wishful thinking responses ended up turning into something that only the very best dreams are made of.

You’ve likely found yourself staring out the office window and wishing you were outside instead of staring at a computer screen a time or two huh? Us too. That’s the inspiration behind our latest short film (3min) entitled “Lunch Break”. The goal is to motivate you to change up your daily routine and sprinkle in some creative activity during your midday break.

We sat down for a Q&A with “The Lunch Bunch” from the film to get their insight leading up to, during, and after our shared meal and experience.

I’ll start by being blunt … Stop making excuses! You are, have been, and will continue to be, way more capable than you think you are. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and more. Whatever barriers you perceive to have are just that, perceptions. Perceptions that you can overcome. Human Powered Movement unapologetically leans into the concept of facilitating and supporting great human powered experiences across the physical/mental spectrum. Our goal is to inspire you along your own adventure journey and yes, sometimes that includes rah-rah speeches just like this! Let me tell you how I recently, and finally, reached a longtime distance goal in my own life, how it motivated me to share this experience, and how you can accomplish your own goals.