Apr 072017
 

We are getting psyched up, trained up, and working hard to get our sponsors. I know I am super excited about riding with this great group who are passionate about service and cycling. Riding across the heart of Alabama and seeing homes, meeting people, talking to other riders, and really thinking about the hardships of families-it is so meaningful.

Registration for the 300 mile closes today. However, if you still want to sign up for any portion, we can work you in. Our goal is to raise $25,000. We will give a report on Monday but we have already raised over $9500 towards that.

Hoping to get some more training miles in over the weekend as our countdown continues!

Mar 312017
 

Watch WSFA’s Alabama Live today from 11-12 and catch Caroline Gardner sharing about our ride across Alabama. She will be on sometime between 11-12 today. Caroline is interning with Auburn United Methodist Church in Missions. She trained to ride with us last year and did an amazing job as a new cyclist achieving such an incredible goal.

The virtual rider option begins Saturday April 1st- no fooling! You still need to register to track your miles with us!

Registration for the ride across Alabama and Sunday Century is open till April 8th.

If you would like to be a corporate sponsor and have your business logo on banner, t-shirts, web site and more-contact joseph@arm-al.org.

Just 21 days before we launch!

Mar 242017
 

Virtual Rider? How does that work?” Glad you asked! You do not have to travel across the state to help us make homes warm, safe, dry and beautiful. You can log miles riding in your neighborhood, on a spin bike or on a stationary bike.

“That sounds awesome!” – We think so. Check out the options and detail below.

Option 1: I want to ride in my neighborhood or stationary bike.

Registration is $25 and a $9 fee for using the MyVirtualMission web site and app to join the team and track your distance. Beginning April 1st you can log miles up until May 31st.

Option 2: I want to ride with my gym. 

Three gyms are participating in the spin competition: Opelika Sportsplex, Moore’s Mill Fitness, and Health Plus gym. Talk to your spin instructor and let them know you are in. When you register, we will send your email to them to get you signed up in that group. Again, you will need to sign up for the premium package. Registration and app to log miles are also $25 and $9.

More Details: You can help us raise our goal of $25,000 by getting individual or corporate sponsors. Links for the letters and sponsor forms are below. The website/app allows you to log in your miles as if you were journeying across Alabama with us. You get a t-shirt and water bottle just like the other cyclists. We also are inviting you to be at Auburn United Methodist Church on Sunday April 23rd at 5:00pm to welcome the riders and be recognized for how you are cycling with us. Most of all, you know you are helping an amazing family receive home repair!

“Wait…who am I helping?” Ms. Anderson lives in Tuskegee and is home schooling her special needs son. She was given a mobile home that had no running water and had many damaged areas. Several teams are working to get her warm, safe, and dry. Our focus is on completing her home.

Virtual Rider sponsor letter 17

COS Spin Class Sponsor Form

And I register how?” Here is the link to our simple registration. You can pay online or send a check. It’s that easy!

Looking forward to having you plug in with us!

 

Mar 212017
 

In one month, COS launches! April 21st marks our start date and those registered have been actively training. Now that the weather is getting warmer and daylight savings time started, riding in the afternoon is a little easier. It’s also not too late to get registered! As a reminder, here are a few of the ride options:

  1. Virtual Rider: Spinners and those that cannot ride with us can log miles in their neighborhood, on a stationary bike, or in their spin class. Using an app and website called, “MyVirtualMission” we have set up groups for the various gyms and a group riding in their neighborhood. You get to use the map those riding across the state us and track your 300 mile progress. Riding this way is a $25 registration which includes a Cycle of Service t-shirt and water bottle. To use the app, it will cost an extra $9 to set up the service. Cyclists still gain sponsors toward our goal of $25,000.

2. Sunday Century- April 23rd is a Century option. Those participating will finish out the final 100 mile leg with us. Registration is $65

3. Then the Triple Challenge- 300 miles of awesome beautiful Alabama countryside. We will be hosted by churches along the way and several rest stops to help us energize.

If you have any more questions, let us know! And if you are a business and would like to become a corporate sponsor, just go this page for the information or email Lisa Pierce at lisa@arm-al.org

30 days and counting!

See you on the ride!

lisa

Feb 232017
 

Another unusually warm weekend in February and time to take advantage again of logging some miles. This ride is so intense, that we maintain a handful that cycle the full 300 miles. It means we develop a very close knit group that challenges and encourages. That team is ever expanding and maybe this year, it includes  you! We hope you will join us for all three days or the Sunday Century. April 23rd, our last leg is open to other cyclists who want to get in a century. You can register at Active.com or on the Registration page of our website. Whatever option you choose, you will be helping us cycle and improve housing for several families in Alabama. Enjoy the rest of this week and let us know how you are getting those miles in!

And for some extra fun, here is quick video from Bicycling on keeping  your bike clean. Enjoy!

Keep riding!

lisa

 

Dec 052016
 

Hey Friends,
Just a quick announcement as the holidays role in and if you are like me, you eat a lot and bike less! But, I invite you to keep some rides in and enjoy some good afternoon spins. If you have been planning to Cycle with ARM either all three or one day and are looking forward to registering. Get ready! We are opening it up in just 10 days- December 15th! And if you register before Feb. 1st you will get a 25% discount on a new ARM cycling jersey.

Registration opens on or our website Dec. 15th.  Active.com allows you to use their platform for getting sponsors. If you do not register through Active.com, you can still use Social media platforms and sponsors can donate through our Cycle of Service website on your behalf. Easy either way.

So, enjoy the festivities and get in a few training rides! Our 300 mile challenge will be here before you know it!

lisa

Apr 262016
 

Our total is inching closer to $19,000 as I write this and I am amazed at all those who have given and supported us.

The last day is the most difficult…no doubt. And I will get to that. On Saturday night, our team was visited by Tuskegee Mayor, Johnny Ford, who came to express his appreciation. After taking a picture with the group, he made us all honorary citizens of Tuskegee. After sharing in a meal provided by Country’s BBQ in Auburn, we walked over to Tuskegee Methodist and took a tour of the church.

Saturday was a community work day in conjunction with the ride. We had two different student groups working. One continued serving at Ms. Maddox’s home painting two rooms and the other team built more bunk beds used for our bunk rooms this summer. We also had a group laying new tile in the kitchen. All in all, a productive day.

Sunday came…last day. We were all sore, tired, ready to go and honestly ready to be done. What was encouraging was the donations steadily coming in making our time climbing hills, blazing sun, and being in the saddle, worthwhile.

Something really providential and crazy happened when we arrived at a small gas station in Seale, Alabama. We met a woman washing her clothes who told us about her friend who needed to have her home repaired in order to get her kids back from Department of Human Resources. I felt a sting of pain as she recounted these details.  Just a few days prior to our ride, I realized I spoken to this woman and remembered feeling saddened by her story and situation. The area where she lives is well out of range of our volunteer teams. Although I tried to connect her with some other potential ways to help, it was with deep sadness and regret that I told her that ARM would not be able to help. While recalling this story with this woman’s friend who was keeping three of her friend’s kids, she told me the oldest son was inside drying clothes. He had big dreams as he was scheduled to attend basic training this upcoming June. I spoke to him for a few minutes hoping to offer encouragement. While walking outside of the laundry mat I was introduced to his mother who had just driven up. Again, I was overcome with remorse but now not on the phone but in person. We listened to parts of her story. Several of our cycling team then gathered around, grasped hands and surrounded her, her son, and her friend so that we could pray. It was the only thing I knew how to do.

Most of the time I get to share the success stories. This one reminds me ever so painfully that we cannot get to everyone and that not every community is aware of the needs around them and the importance of sustainable and affordable housing. We need more groups like ARM engaging their communities and creating opportunities to help. We need more followers and believers out LOOKING for where there is pain, hurt, and where people feel lost in order to connect them into the larger faith family.

So after the sober realities, we were off on our journey again. For me, a little bit more meaning and intentionality. It was a great feeling to reach the GA/AL state line and know we were 2/3 of the way finished. We had a great rest stop with our friends at Trinity UMC Phenix City, Steve and Olivia, and then began our final journey. I tell you, it was no cake walk. Every incline burned trying to climb, one pedal crank after another. The big hope was that we would soon be finished. And we did…the miles and time clicked by. The last main hill on Wrights’ Mill Road the beginning of the end! The reception at Auburn UMC was epic. With loud cheers, hoots, and hollers; claps, whistles, and shouts-we entered into the parking lot with family and friends welcoming us home. Spectacular and heartwarming to see so many out there. 3 Days, 3 States, 300 miles…finished!

Another COS in the books and as Keith Foster announced, “the best one yet”.

What a journey. Being finished is a relief. Thank you for your love and help as we link arm’s together to extend the love of Christ and eliminate substandard housing in Alabama!

Grace and peace,

lisa

Apr 242016
 

Going through small towns, you see all types of sites. Mobile home parks with dilapidated structures. Signs of despair. But also signs of growth, promise, and hope. Each community has a story and like us, it has its bright spots and flaws. One of the families we have served with in Lee County is Ms. Alford. She is elderly and takes care of her grandchildren who love her deeply. Recently her church honored her for her mission heart and contributions to her church. Also living in a mobile home, she had several conditions such as a leaking roof, ceiling damage, and needed a ramp. The cost of these repairs just in materials well over $1000. But with willing heart and big smiles, our “friends” linked up with Ms. Alford to make those repairs. While with these groups, she prayed for them, encouraged them, and displayed love and grace. It was a pleasure to serve with her; one who has done so much for her church, family, and community.

Again, it is why 13 people will get on bicycles and ride 100 miles a day across Alabama. As we pray, ride, and share our story we are hoping people will catch a glimpse of hope.

Our ride from Selma to Tuskegee was successful. With more hills and a cross wind, it was a little more challenging today. We are grateful to Prattville UMC and my friends Rev. Rob Couch, Dr. John Brooks, and Rev. Drew Willis  for hosting lunch. A shout out to Country’s BBQ for sponsoring our dinner tonight. Our friend Chase had to head back home for a cancer benefit. His son has had cancer and has been diagnosed cancer free! It was good to have him with us!!! Tomorrow on our final leg we will also be joined by Taylor and Michael and look forward to adding two more people to our group.

We will check in again tomorrow. Help us spread the word and if encourage people to give at www.cycleofservice.arm-al.org.

May our seats be soft!

Lisa

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Apr 232016
 

Living in a remote area of West Alabama has its challenges. Taking 20 minutes to drive anywhere, gas alone can be a struggle. The soil is not conducive to septic tanks but without larger city resources no sewer system either. Several people have clogged up septic systems or simply run several yards behind their homes. Homes are vulnerable as there are few repair options. Finding a plumber or basic handyman can cost over $75 just for a service call, not to mention the actual repair. But these situations are no match for the spirit and joy of Ms. Ellma and Mr. Curtis. Although Curtis is confined to a wheelchair, Ms. Ellma is a beacon of light, hope, and joy with him. She is a minister herself collecting what few clothes and food she has to give to others; even when she has a floor about to cave in.

This is one story out of hundreds. One family out of thousands. It is the reason ARM brings in hundreds of youth disciples every year to partner with families like Ellma to repair their homes. It is why we pray for broken systems that perpetuate these cycles to be healed. And, it is why 13 people will get on bicycles and ride 100 miles a day across Alabama. As we pray, ride, and share our story we are hoping people will catch a glimpse of hope.

Our ride from Livingston to Selma was successful and the weather was certainly our friend. We are grateful to Livingston UMC and Memorial UMC in Selma for hosting us and doing so much.

We will check in again today. Help us spread the word and if encourage people to give at www.cycleofservice.arm-al.org.

May our seats be soft!

Lisa