Written by: Steve Maliszeski
Another week—week four—has come to an end and brings with it both a rest day in Santa Fe, New Mexico and the great month of July!
Every day of riding brings out both the good and bad in the world and ourselves. But this trip has shown me the determination of individuals and the resiliency of the human spirit.
Written by: Karen Powers
So much of the Fuller Center Bike Adventure is about dreams. During our orientation meetings way back at the beginning of June, I remember being struck by the number of fellow riders who said that it is their dream to ride their bike across our country. I admire the courage, determination, and grit they have shown these past four weeks in working to make their dreams come true. These riders’ dreams, in turn, help others’ dreams to come true: individuals and families who dream of owning their own home or making much-needed improvements upon the home they already own. I think it’s pretty cool when you can use the fulfillment of your own dreams to help others’ dreams come true.
Written by: Russ Schulz
I am not fond of writing, so I will ramble on with thoughts.
The last two days of gorgeous Colorado, with mountains, trees, snow and clouds, have been beautiful and inspiring. As I rode and got tired and worn out, I thought about how awesome God made our bodies. We push and punish ourselves, and the next day we mostly recover and go again.
Written by: Ruth Waite
It’s my turn to write again! We’ve been on the ride for nearly four weeks now. I am a lot stronger than when I began the journey, and I can do things I couldn’t do previously.
Two days ago, we rode along a bike path through Silverthorn, CO. The bike path ended at the Dillon reservoir—9,017 feet elevation. To get from the river level to the top of the dam required going up a bike path with lots of switchbacks. There was even a little sign to show that it was steep, just like the steep road signs.
Written by: Magdalene Kennedy
I sometimes nap in the van as it rumbles along towards the next rest stop. There’s no particular rhythm to its gentle jolts—at best it could be described as white noise. A random assortment of tiny hums and grunts that cradle my drowsy brain.
Written by: Macy Holsinger
Just as we never really know what’s around the next corner while riding, so it is with the Bike Adventure. At any moment, the weather could change, a tire could go flat, or the designated road could be under construction. But the beauty of the Bike Adventure is that instead of things like that wreaking havoc and tearing the team apart, they actually give us a chance to work together and think creatively. Thus those potentially frustrating moments become beautiful exercises in cooperation and teamwork.
This particular team is full of all sorts of talents and skills that frequently come in handy. Several people are computer gurus. One man is a mechanical engineer. We have counselors, nurses, cooks, beekeepers, mothers, fathers, a bike mechanic, and many other skill sets. Together all of these mixed with good attitudes and love for one another are the perfect ingredients of a great community.
And that is what we are: a community of cyclists working together and thinking outside the box for whatever ADVENTURES arise.
Written by: Anne Frey
Originally, I joined the Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure last year simply so I could go on a supported ride that included some mountains, some areas I hadn’t ridden yet.
Then I got into the group working/living/traveling groove and it became more than just riding. Don’t get me wrong—I do love to ride. But on the FCBA there is the added interest of meeting enthusiastic people with similar goals and making progress by repairing or building homes along the way.
Written by: Rebecca Mitchell
First, I must tell you that I wasn’t supposed to write a blog today, but I did want to write about this day no matter how late I stayed up. So it seems God has provided me with the time to write.
Written by: Wes Shattuck
Jesus said we are to take His yoke upon us: “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Taking His yoke meant learning all the rabbi had to teach and then becoming like the rabbi, who invited someone to be His follower, taking on the mantle of the rabbi. Jesus lived simply, without even a bed to call his own: “foxes have dens, …but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” He modeled abandoned reliance on the Heavenly Father for every need and assured us that, when trusting in God, God provides and “more so” (Matthew 6:26-34). And Jesus taught us that it is good, and in fact is His divine order, for us to live in community not in isolation. He designed the family, and the church—a family of families living and working together, putting others ahead of self and working for a greater good.
Written by: Mike Powers
June 8th was quite a day. The group was summiting Carson’s Pass. Karen and I needed to get our bikes looked at in South Lake Tahoe and did not have a way to get there. Another rider, Phil Gash, had volunteered the night before to drive our two bikes and me early in the morning in the hope that the bike shop could work on our bikes before we had to leave the following morning for Fernley, NV.
Thanks for reaching out to us, we’ll be in touch with you soon!
