There are people who talk about traveling the world someday, and then there’s Debra Dickey, who decided “someday” started now. The Nashville boutique salon owner, who spends her days “putting art on clients’ noggins,” has transformed BRAG International into her passport to active adventure—from the Yucatan Peninsula to the canals of Amsterdam, from the châteaux of France’s Loire Valley to the upcoming shores of Croatia.
But it’s not just the destinations that keep Debra coming back. It’s the people she meets along the way—particularly one remarkable older couple who epitomize what she calls “perseverance people.” They travel the world doing active trips, exploring new countries on bicycles, and here’s the kicker: one of them walks with a cane when off the bike. “My idols,” Debra says simply. In them, she sees proof that adventure doesn’t have an expiration date and that limitations don’t have to limit you.
From Spring Tune-Up to International Adventures
Debra’s BRAG story began ten years ago when her then-boyfriend motivated her to sign up for Spring Tune-Up. Those early rides introduced her to BRAG’s community and organizational excellence, but it was the international trips that truly captured her imagination. She’s completed two Spring Tune-Ups and has since traveled to Mexico, Amsterdam, and France with BRAG, with Croatia on the horizon.
“The international rides are fun and very active, which I love,” Debra explains. For someone whose life already includes hiking, pickleball, yoga, weight lifting, dancing, attending art performances, and running a non-toxic hair salon, “very active” isn’t a warning—it’s a selling point. “I feel these trips cover a lot of history, local lore, great scenery while cycling, and excellent food.”
That combination—culture, activity, cuisine, and connection—perfectly suits Debra’s multifaceted approach to life. She’s not interested in passive tourism or checking boxes. She wants to experience places fully, and BRAG International delivers exactly that.
The Bruges to Amsterdam Magic
Ask Debra about her most memorable BRAG moment, and she lights up talking about the Bruges to Amsterdam Bike & Boat tour. “The riverboat from Amsterdam to Bruges was Fabulous! Never dealing with moving our luggage, delicious food, clean boat…Excellent!!”
The bike and boat format proved perfect for her travel style—combining the freedom and intimacy of cycling with the convenience and comfort of a floating hotel. No packing and unpacking at different accommodations, no worrying about luggage logistics, just wake up in a new place ready to explore.
Even a rainy day navigating a busy city and countryside didn’t dampen the experience. “I always felt safe with our group,” she notes. That sense of security—knowing you’re supported, that logistics are handled, that you’re part of a well-organized adventure—makes all the difference when you’re cycling through unfamiliar territory in less-than-ideal weather.
The French Croissant Philosophy
Debra’s approach to BRAG days reflects both practical wisdom and a philosophy of openness. “Get a good night’s rest because you may be out all day. Eat a good breakfast for fuel and always pack a snack for the road,” she advises. But then comes the best part: “You can never eat too many croissants while in France.”
It’s this balance—being prepared and sensible while also embracing indulgence and joy—that makes Debra’s travel philosophy so appealing. She knows to fuel properly and get adequate rest. She also knows that part of experiencing France means saying yes to another croissant, and another, and maybe just one more.
“Be open to new adventures and do not be rigid,” she emphasizes. Whether it’s trying unfamiliar foods, taking an unexpected detour, or adapting when weather doesn’t cooperate, flexibility enhances the experience. Her wind-down routine captures this balance too: “A nice shower and a walk into the city or a chill dinner with everyone.” Sometimes exploring, sometimes relaxing, always present to whatever the evening offers.
Hard-Won Wisdom
Debra has learned some lessons the practical way. Her essential gear list is specific: sunscreen and Pearl Izumi padded shorts top the list. But her most emphatic advice? “Do not be ‘too good’ for Butt Butter.”
It’s the kind of honest, slightly embarrassing wisdom that only comes from experience—and that newcomers desperately need to hear. Along with her training advice to “ride as much as possible before a week long ride” and “get your behind seat ready,” Debra isn’t shy about the realities of multi-day cycling. Comfort matters. Preparation matters. And pride should never prevent you from using products that will make your ride more enjoyable.
Her appreciation for long-distance riding has improved over the years, developing from that first Spring Tune-Up into confidence on international tours. She’s learned what her body needs, how to pace herself, and how to balance challenge with enjoyment.
The Franklin Factor
When asked what keeps bringing her back to BRAG year after year, Debra’s answer is straightforward: “Franklin makes the trips interesting and enjoyable by organizing them super well, and having excellent activities along with the cycling.”
It’s a testament to how crucial good organization is for international travel. When you’re cycling through foreign countries, dealing with different languages and customs, navigating unfamiliar roads, the quality of planning and support makes the difference between stressful and spectacular. Franklin and the BRAG team handle the complexity so participants can focus on the experience—the scenery, the culture, the riding, the connections.
This organizational excellence allows Debra to show up ready for adventure, confident that logistics are covered and the experience will be rich and well-balanced.
Perseverance People
But perhaps what resonates most in Debra’s BRAG story is her admiration for that older couple who travels the world doing active trips. In a culture that often treats aging as a process of limitation and withdrawal, they represent something else entirely: continued engagement, curiosity, adventure, and determination.
The detail that one walks with a cane off the bicycle makes their story even more powerful. They haven’t let physical challenges stop them from exploring the world. They’ve simply adapted, found what works, and kept going. On the bike, they’re as capable and adventurous as anyone.
“Perseverance people. My idols,” Debra says, and in those few words, she captures why BRAG International means so much to her. It’s not just about seeing beautiful places or getting good exercise—though both matter. It’s about being part of a community that values adventure and possibility at every age and ability level. It’s about surrounding yourself with people who inspire you to keep exploring, keep challenging yourself, keep saying yes to new experiences.
Seeing Clearly Now
If BRAG had a theme song, Debra’s choice would be Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now”—”a famous, uplifting song, released in 1972, known for its hopeful message of overcoming adversity.” It’s a perfect choice for someone who has found in BRAG International a way to overcome the inertia that keeps many people from traveling, from staying active, from seeking adventure.
Her definition of a real BRAGger captures the spirit perfectly: “You know how to have a good time even if it’s raining.” Whether that’s literal rain in the European countryside or metaphorical obstacles that might dampen less determined spirits, the ability to embrace the experience and find joy regardless of conditions defines the BRAG International traveler.
Active Fulfillment
“BRAG has allowed me to travel overseas and remain active while having fulfilling experiences,” Debra reflects. For someone who fills her Nashville life with yoga, pickleball, hiking, dancing, weight lifting, and creative work, finding travel experiences that match that energy level isn’t always easy. Many tours are too passive, too structured, or too focused on older, less active travelers.
BRAG International offers something different: the perfect combination of cultural immersion, physical challenge, social connection, and logistical support. Debra and her husband John have found their travel sweet spot—active enough to be engaging, cultural enough to be enriching, social enough to build connections, and well-organized enough to be enjoyable rather than stressful.
With Croatia on the horizon, their international BRAG adventures continue. Each trip brings new scenery, new history, new local lore, new excellent food. Each trip includes those “perseverance people” who inspire by example. Each trip proves that adventure, activity, and exploration remain possible and joyful at any stage of life.
And each trip, somewhere along the way, involves eating just one more croissant—because you can never have too many in France, and life is too short not to say yes to the good stuff.
For Debra Dickey, BRAG International isn’t just about the destinations marked on a map. It’s about the path traveled getting there, the people met along the way, and the proof that when you stay open to adventure, the view ahead just keeps getting clearer.
