Summer 2015 blog.
Written by: Johnny Busby
So the day is finally here- our one hundred and seven miles ride from Holly, CO to Cimarron, KS. To say I’m nervous would be an understatement. You see, I just started riding two weeks ago and my butt callus has not even set in yet. Your Honor, let the record show I have never biked more than fifty miles in my life- ok I said it!
Written by: Jeff Lamb
Revelation 3:16 is a scripture that has been on my mind lately. “But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
I have wanted to bike across the country for quite some time, and the Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure provided the opportunity to accomplish this selfish goal. I used the fundraising and “build days” as justification for this trip. But, something has happened over the past five weeks; my perspective has dramatically changed. While on this trip, I’ve been able to step away from my normal routine, and by doing so, I have come to see the type of Christian I have been, lukewarm. Yikes! This epiphany is sobering and frightening.
Written by: Dody Odell
Its July 9th and 4am…. Some were starting to pack and others still trying to catch that last shut eye. We were in Holly, Colorado. You could feel the excitement in the air of riding our longest ride yet! 107 miles all the way to Cimarron, KS population of 1,800. 2 stop lights in the whole town!Continue reading
Written by: Sue Pratt
What a day! We rode 84 miles, through a head wind that nearly pushed us off our bikes and on a road that was by no means smooth, into the quaint little town of Holly. Actually, I rode only 64 miles because I have not been well. But our tired legs and arms were reenergized once we were welcomed to the United Methodist Church that left a plethora of food for us on the counter…grapes, strawberries, lunch meat, drinks, snacks. Then, to even delight us more, the owner of Miles Court, treated us to two rooms in her motel where we could take showers. Just expecting a shower, all of us were amazed at her generosity. In each bathroom, were towels, conditioner, shampoo, and tons of treats, to make us feel ever so welcome. I wish I had a camera for the rest of the afternoon to take photos of most of us taking naps in the weirdest of positions and weirdest of places. A good rest was needed after today’s ride. But everyone woke up for dinner. Once again, the United Methodist church treated us like royalty. Pulled pork, tons of salads, desserts and so much more to feed our hungry tummies.
Written by: Tom Weber
Reflecting on The Fuller Center and what it means to me, I immediately thought of The Rag Man, and the number of times I have been asked about the rags on my ankle. I signed up to ride with the Fuller Center for Affordable Housing for a very selfish reason: I wanted to ride my bike across America, and this was the cheapest was I could find to do that. My reason changed as soon as I realized what our purpose was, namely helping families in need, and the story of the Rag Man. The nine rags that have been tied to my ankle over the last five years represent and remind me of the hundreds of people I have personally witnessed who have shared their love for their fellow human beings in need. It is the focal point of my continued riding, when it is becoming harder to ride day after day, week after wee, this year for ten weeks. But there are still over 1 billion people in need of affordable housing in the world, and so I continue to do what I can.
Written by: Jonathan Falk
The road takes its toll. It’s the fourth straight day riding, and it’s 80 miles into the next town. The sun came up early and makes its presence known on your back. The sweat burning as it drips into your eyes, the ache in your back as you shift looking for a new position, the rattle in your hands and the pain in your legs as you crank the pedals just one more mile. The road takes its toll.
Written by: Topher Saliba
“Living simply so others can simply live.”
This is the motto to our living conditions on this adventure we have embarked on as a group of strangers who grow together to become a family.
Written by: Lydia Huelskamp
As cheesy as it may sound today’s ride felt like going home.
Four summers ago I finished my first year of college at Biola University in California, packed up my things, and headed east to the mountains. Little did I know that three of my summers would be spent in those mountains and soon they would be a home for me. Even littler did I know that one day I would be leading a bike trip through those same mountains.
Thanks for reaching out to us, we’ll be in touch with you soon!
