Tag Archives: adventure

Leaving the World Behind

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By Justin Smith
 
Riding a bike across the country (or in a 4,000 mile loop, as it were), is not really about the bike ride.  The pedaling, the exhaustion, the many hills, roads, and turns, are all much more ancillary than they are vital.  Riding this far, and in this manner, is about leaving things behind.  When I first rode in 2014, I was riding to leave behind a chapter of my life, and find my new self.  This time I’m just on for a week, and riding to leave my day-to-day stresses behind, locked away in my work phone and social media accounts.

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(Always) Back for More

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By Kert Emperado

I arrived in Portland yesterday and had a chance to reunite with 2014 riders, Nicole, Lindsey, and support intern, Kristina. And this was even before meeting with the official ride group. I am always reminded that the FCBA experience often builds lifelong relationships. We enjoyed reminiscing about our shared experiences biking and traveling throughout the country and catching up on our new life situations. Thank you to Nicole and Kristina for driving up to Portland, and for Lindsey for hosting us, and taking us to the nearby award-winning food trucks! I had a waffle sandwich called the Portlander, and it was very tasty.Continue reading→

The Last Ride

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Written by: Karl Trimmer

Today we completed the last mountain ride from Hazelton to Phoenixville, which is mostly downhill except for a few uphills, including Hawk Mountain, where the grade reaches 16% and the climb continues for two miles.  Most days everyone would be talking about what a killer the climb was and how happy they were to complete.  Today everyone seemed to take it in stride and finish.

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Blessed to be a Blessing

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Written by: Stephany Escalante Galindo

Today we rode 58 miles from Bellefonte, PA to Lewisburg, PA. It still blows me away that there are church members who choose to wake up early (sometimes as early as 4:30am) to cook breakfast for a bunch of cyclist going across the country. This morning we had the pleasure of enjoying breakfast thanks to two special ladies from St. John’s Church. We had 2 egg casseroles this morning- one had turkey and the other had wild boar sausage.Continue reading→

Rolling Through Nature

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Written by: Julio Galindo

7/31/18 we biked 73 miles from Grove City, Pennsylvania, to Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania, with an elevation gain of 7,372 feet according to the bike computer we use. Today lights on was at 5 am. We slept on a bunch of pillows put together and it was very comfortable. Today Stephany and I were sweeps. We had an extra rider with us for a few miles, the pastor from the church we stayed. As we were going uphill a family of 3 deer crossed right in front of us. Continue reading→

Expect the Unexpected

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Written by: Courtney Fields

“Not your typical internship…you won’t be picking up coffee, we promise.”

Lots of college internships like to promise you certain hours, expectations, and privileges- if you look at my generation, that’s easily understandable. We rely heavily on instant gratification. So when people have asked me along the route whether or not my internship with the Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure is what I expected, I always respond with a “I had NO clue what I was getting myself into.” And I truly mean that. Nothing could have prepared me for what I am a part of now. The Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure is a family, and it provides immense opportunity to serve, grow, and to (get this) change! So here are the top 10 things that I have learned by serving as an intern for this incredible group for those who want to know what to expect/do:Continue reading→

Build Day Blessings

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Written by: Mark Goodwin

I have started my fourth week of riding and have ridden in seven states. We have worked on four building sites. Tuesday in Springfield, Ohio, we were split into three teams. One team work at the YMCA making improvements to the reception area, and the other two teams painted the inside of houses, getting them ready for families yet to be determined. Even though we did not meet the future families, it feels good to know that the work moved the local Fuller Center closer to completion, thus helping two families attain affordable housing.Continue reading→

Goodbye from Geezerman

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Written by: Thomas Weber

The geezerman from “geezerville,” Colorado, is retiring! I got the name “geezerman” on my first FCBA ride in 2011 during a church talk, and I have kept it ever since (adding the Colorado location).
After 8 years, 7 cross-country adventures (biking or supporting), sleeping on church floors about 475 times, riding with probably 500 people, and covering almost 30,000 miles, this year will be my last cross-country adventure. Continue reading→