Changing Viewpoints
October 11, 2025
Dearest readers,
This blog is being written by a regular Fuller rider who is now blessed to be part of the support team. Since my first 2 week ride in 2015, I’ve returned to ride my bike over more states and across national parks for 10 years. On multiple days of harsh weather and harsher hillsides and naturally formed wind tunnels that have battered me, I can recall the sweet smile of our interns and the support team that helped me feel safe and welcomed to be in the next town. I would pull in and hear a cowbell cheering us as we dismount. One day in particular during this summer’s West Coast ride, at rest stop #2 after going for 50ish miles with terrible shoulders on the 101 highway I was grumpy. And I’m not a grumpy personality. I didn’t enjoy my ride and I couldn’t fix my face. It was at this second rest-stop that Liz (our incredible support team member) walked over and gave me a hug because I looked like I needed one. She was right and every ill will and grumpy sense of dissatisfaction melted away.
I’m giving you that back story to let you know I’m familiar with being a cyclist on the road. I’ve done that part for most of my Fuller rides but this week I will not be on a bike. This week I’ve opted to see the road from inside the van on the passenger’s seat. I am part of the support team on this ride because I’ve been so lucky to have felt so much love and support on all my other rides. I hope to be able to share that love with the riders here this week.
Nashville to Duck River TN was a beautiful day of riding. The 37.4 miles started with a sunny morning. We only needed one rest stop, so the van and trailer said hello to our support teammates Scott and Jessica as we made our way down to Shady Grove United Methodist Church. Every rider made it to Shady Grove, the church where the folks there go WAY ABOVE and BEYOND for us Fuller Center folks. Although they may not be an army of church practitioners they welcomed us with wide open arms and prepared everything we could need as if there were an army. Had snacks available upon arrival. Offer every inch of their church for us to rest and recover. Our dinner team didn’t need to cook because the church got together and prepared a feast for us. I wished we could do more to say thank you for their hospitality.
