Video, 360 View

Photos!!!!

Katherine biking uphill

Dani, Nathan and Ryan (top of steps) showing how energetic they feel after a 76 mile ride through the desert

Taking a break at the trailer

More desert!

Ryan leading the front pack

It's a hot season to spend hours on the blacktop

Day 1

We started the day in high spirits with an awesome kickoff. It began with the official start of a Fuller Center for Housing in the San Diego area, with President Rich Geisler and many of the board members there to show us off. Then, the author of The House That Love Built by Betty Youngs, talked about her book and wished us all luck, and finally Pastor Emma from the La Jolla United Methodist Church gave us her blessing and we dipped our back tires in the ocean beginning an "easy" fifty-five mile first day.

Unfortunately, it was all up hill and by the end we found ourselves at a 4,000 foot elevation hot tired and sweaty.  Some, did not make it the whole way, but we are all okay just a little dehydrated.  Other then that besides getting lost a few times we all "kicked back" and headed up those hills at five miles per hour enjoying some nice scenery...and, if everyone else was like me worrying that there were quite a few danger boulders falling signs along the way.  All in all over half the team finished and were now showered, fed, and ready for bed. 

Dani

We went out and achieved anyway

Today is Sunday June 15th which is Fathers Day so first and foremost Happy Fathers Day to all Dads!  My son Chris who lives in San Francisco flew down to spend some tine with me this weekend and see us off on Monday as we begin our adventure.  It was great to see him and share some time with him.

We attended Liturgy this morning at a wonderful service at La Jolla United Methodist Church and were given a warm welcome and best wishes for a safe and productive ride as we begin our adventure tomorrow on Monday.  This afternoon we went for a test ride around La Jolla to work out the bugs on our bikes and make sure everything was in good working order.  For most of us this was the first time we have been riding together as a group.  

Despite two falls on my bike while getting used to my new clip-in peddles and a flat tire (which I'm told comes in threes), we had a good ride with the group around La Jolla taking us along a section of the beach and the Pacific Ocean.   Saw lots of surfers and folks walking along the beach enjoying the nice weather.  Tomorrow's ride thru the dessert to Julian CA will take us through the mountains and we'll be mainly traveling uphill with hot weather expected. Hopefully it will be more problem-free and smoother than today's break-in ride was.

We're off to a great start.  Let the adventure begin!

Keep abiding,

Doug

 

Making new friends

"You're halfway done!"  That's what I told the nine other riders who arrived in San Diego from all over the country today and yesterday.  After all, they made it out here, and now they just have to make it back!

As we meet, we all have the feeling that we will be part of something special, that this will be a journey we will always remember.  Some came by 43 hour train ride, others by a 33 hour car ride, and still others by a 3 hour plane ride; all will depart together via a 3,300 mile bike ride.

 

And everyone has a different story about how they came to be a part of it.  I met Doug, Chris, and Nathan on build sites; Katherine, Zach, and Kelsey saw a Facebook advertisement I created; Dani met Millard Fuller when he spoke at her university, and Aaron, who will be going to my alma mater Notre Dame next year, received a mass email that I sent out.  

My story is that last year I had the privilege of being a part of a cross country bicycle ride right before I joined The Fuller Center as a long-term volunteer in Americus, where I now lead The Fuller Center's youth work.  I've heard it said that where your abilities intersect with the world's need, that is where your calling lies.  

And so with that cycling experience behind me, Millard laid out The Fuller Center's needs in plain fashion:

1. Spread the word

2. Raise money 

3. Start new Covenant Partner groups 

I realized quickly that this journey can do all three.  Whether attracting media attention, handing out brochures, or speaking at churches, we will spread the word.  Our group has already raised over $46,000 towards our $100,000 goal, and our ride is helping to launch The Fuller Center here in San Diego, which will become our 40th Covenant Partner.

No one knows exactly what will come of our trek, but as we get to know one another and prepare for such an enormous task, we put our faith in God to guide and lead us from Day 1 to Day 56.

Oyee!

- Ryan Iafigliola

The ride gets support from the Bicycle industry!

We would like to thank our sponsors from the bike business who have generously contributed to the ride. Planet Bike donated front and rear safety lights, seat bags and floor pumps. Planet Bike is a company that knows how to give back. They donate 25% of their profits to bicycle advocacy. They set the standard in the industry for putting your money where your mouth is.

Kenda tires have donated tires and tubes for the group. Kevlar bead for lightweight, 120 tpi for durability and L3R rubber for low rolling resistance. Marketing manager Jim Wannamaker, the hardest working man in the bike business, has singlehandedly put Kenda tires on the map. Thanks, Jim.

Park Tool, the one and only name in bike tools, has graciously provided bike tools. Any mechanic will tell you, working with Park Tools makes the job easier. Now we have no excuse not to ride; our bikes will be taken care of!

Thank you all again for making this trip just that much better.

- The FCBA riders

Our ride starts soon!

I don't know about the other riders, but I'm ready to get this show on the road! Okay, I could certainly put in more training miles, but mentally and spiritually, I'm ready.

This past Memorial Day weekend, local volunteers were joined by a large group from www.squarefootministry.com in Fayetteville, GA as we "dried in" houses 13, 14 and 15 in West Point, GA for the Chattahoochee Valley Fuller Center Project. These blitz builds always seem to bring together great people having a good time for an even greater cause. I am looking forward to swinging a hammer in the six cities along our route where we will help build more homes and touch more lives.

Speaking of building... My excitement is building as June 16th draws nearer and our group rolls out from the west coast heading east. Be sure to bookmark this blog page and check up on us often; we will need your prayers and support! Anyone wishing to donate toward our group goal of $100,000 can do so through our website, www.FullerCenterBikeTrip.com.

Chris