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Most Important Muscle to Train for COS

Mar 042016

Do you have the muscle to complete the challenging 3 Day, 3 State, 300 Mile Cycle of Service ride across the great state of Alabama?

You might be thinking about some of your leg muscles. How strong are your quadriceps or hamstrings? What about strengthening calves or gluteus maximus? As important as these muscles are to cycling, they are not the most important. What muscle then?

The most important muscle to train for the COS is the mind. A growing body of research is uncovering just how critical our brains are to accomplishing long term, difficult goals. Our brains are responsible for perseverance, single-mindedness, or simply ‘grit’. In fact, one researcher, Angela Duckworth, has even created a Grit Scale. After a few questions, the scale can predict the likeliness that you will achieve a difficult, long term goal!

The COS requires a high level of grit. Ask some who have completed the challenge and they will say that half the ride is ‘mental’. But even before the event, the mind has been getting stronger. The many weeks of training strengthen your resolve and mind. The early mornings, the cold, the long rides, the sprints, the chasing dogs, and the hills all are part of the mind-muscle training. With every challenge, your brain has an opportunity to flex and overcome, or relent and stop. And remember, some of the best mind-strengthening may come on a failure!

For me, the challenges are easier to overcome when I remember the cause. Alabama Rural Ministries provides critical service of home repair to those in need. While a new roof, or flooring, or wheelchair ramp can bridge a physical need, their service offers hope to those in difficult situations. These simple truths help me flex ‘grit’ muscles and keep on through the riding pain.

Are you interested in training your mind and body? Then sign up for the 2016 Cycle of Service today!

Happy Riding!

John Stevenson

Why We Cycle?

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Feb 282016

Cycle of Service is a three-day cycling event to raise money for and to bring awareness to the struggles that many low income families face in the Black Belt of Alabama. Many of these families cannot afford to repair their homes. Over the last five years, Cycle of Service has been a fundraiser for Alabama Rural Ministry (ARM) to provide roofs, plumbing, electrical and other basic housing needs for people in Sumter, Macon and Lee county.

“My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me.

Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” – Matthew 26:39

When I think of Jesus and the suffering he is about to take on, I think about the people he is doing this for: the people who haven’t yet heard his message, the people who follow his ministry and the people who do not like Jesus. If the suffering was only for those who followed his ministry, then the meaning and message of Jesus’ sacrifice might have simply died with them.

As we cycle April 22^nd through the 24^th, the cyclists will be become sore, tired and weak. One hundred miles a day takes its toll on your body, but the reward far outweighs any pain we will endure. We will cycle by homes of people who don’t know us personally or know about Alabama Rural Ministry. We will cycle by homes where the homeowner could be the recipient of a home repair through ARM. We will cycle by homes that support ARM financially.

You can be involved in this great fundraiser through three ways:

you can sign up to ride 1, 2 or all 3 days on Active.com
you can volunteer your time (and your social media!) to get the word out
you can donate to Cycle of Service through this page or at arm-al.org

So, why do we cycle? We cycle because we care about our fellow Alabamians and the homes they live in. But more importantly, we cycle because whatever we do to repair sub-standard housing for low income families, we do for Jesus.

– Scott

Witness Miracles at COS

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Feb 252016

Some miracles depend on circumstances and point of view. A non-event for one person, may be a true miracle for another. With that said, I have witnessed miracles on the Cycle of Service ride.

Miracle 1. COS is a rain or shine event. Going into the weekend, the weather forecast called for heavy rain and strong winds. The rain chances for Friday afternoon approached 100%. Knowing the forecast, we were all prepared to be wet and miserable on the most difficult part of the ride. As we pedaled into the afternoon hours, dark clouds enveloped us. We all prepared for the bottom to drop out. Somehow, the rain held off! No rain, no wet roads. We were all thankful. Since the rain started later than forecasted, it was now predicted to linger well into the morning hours. Ugh. We went to sleep with sound of rain on the roof. As we woke, light rain was falling. After an hour delay to start, the rain stopped completely. As we pushed off on wet roads, we literally followed the rain. It never rained on us! A true weather miracle.

Miracle 2. The COS will stop at gas stations for food and re-fueling vehicles. As we waited outside the store, several of us struck a conversation with a local patron. After two minutes of telling the story of the ride and Alabama Rural Ministries, he walked on to his car. He returned holding out his hand with a cash donation! He handed it to us and thanked us for helping the community. To me, it was a miracle of unexpected generosity that encouraged us all.

Miracle 3. The COS reveals personal miracles. The route is definitely not flat. Driving a car, the hills are not noticeable. However, riding a bicycle will expose the hilly terrain and become cruel punishment to tired legs. More than once on a ride it was over-heard, “If I make it up this hill, it will be a miracle!” And, they eventually do. Miracle!

Miracle 4. On a similar note, for some cyclist day one will mark personal distance records. Every rider has a cap achieved during training. Whatever that mileage threshold, it will be broken on day one. And for some, it will be the century mark. Miracle!

Come join us on April 22, 2016 for your chance to experience miracles on the COS.

Happy Riding!

John Stevenson

What NOT to eat during COS

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Feb 212016

On a three day bike ride, you can get really hungry. That hunger can lead to food choices that might just come back on you. Don’t let your stomach rule your mind and avoid these food decisions while riding:

Fried catfish

Fried chicken fingers

Fried livers

or just about anything fried from a gas station. The COS will stop at gas stations with kitchens. As you enter the store, the smell of fried food can be over-whelming and tempting. Flex that will power and pass on the fried food. Otherwise, stomach cramps and other dire suffering may descend down. Treat your body as an expensive sports car that deserves only premium fuel, not the low grade.

Carbonated drinks. Some riders can handle the soda, but most avoid it. Carbonation can create bloating and general ‘blah’ feeling. The sugars will pep you up for a short time, but at an ‘inflated’ cost.

Disruptive foods. You probably have a good idea about the foods that don’t like you. They still will not like you on the bike. But there will be bars and gels that you have never tried.

Ideally, when you train, eat foods that you plan to eat on the ride. A little experimentation will go a long way to determining what your athletic body needs. Buy energy bars or gels and eat on the bike. Eat a sandwich half way through a ride. Train your muscles, and your digestion.

The three day ride has an impact on your entire body. Keep that in mind when reaching for nutrition. When in doubt, better grab a bite that you know will promote your top performance.

Side note…if we are writing about it…then you can bet…it’s happened :)))

Happy Riding!

John Stevenson

4 Happy Results When You Ride COS

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Feb 172016

The 2016 Cycle of Service is quickly approaching, beginning on 4/22. While the three day, 300 mile ride seems daunting, I can guarantee that you will be happy after the ride! Here are 4 reasons why:

Your fundraising will break the cruel cycle of poverty for a fellow Alabamian. Too many people choose between their home upkeep and food, or clothes, or health care. Funds that you contribute and raise will go toward home repair, relieving a significant burden for low income families. That should put a smile on your face.
You will help educate others about housing problems in Alabama. Did you know that 35% of Alabamians live below the poverty level? As you fund-raise and talk to friends and family, you are part of bridging the knowledge gap about poverty in Alabama. Spreading the word will encourage involvement and create momentum to eliminate poverty.
You will be happy as you get to meet and know incredible people. Pedaling almost 7 hours a day with your fellow riders creates a natural camaraderie that will bind a friendship. In addition, the hosts are great people who selflessly serve meals and provide a place to spend the night.
A big smile will come over your face when you realize that you rode a bicycle 300 miles in 3 days, across the state of Alabama. Not too many people can boast that accomplishment.

Ready to get your happy dance going, then sign up for the 2016 Cycle of Service. Click here for the registration page.

Happy Riding! John Stevenson

Routes are Up!

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Jan 292016

The routes for 2016 are up and running! This year we start our track on the west side of Alabama and travel east. Hopefully we will have some nice tail winds behind us. Each day has some hill challenges and you will “feel” the finish on day three. If you want to ride some of the legs with us, we can plug you in.

On Day 3, there will be a ride that is 22.3 miles and flat from Tuskegee to Hurtsboro. Another option on that day is to meet us in Columbus and finish the 45 mile journey back to Auburn.

You will be riding for hundreds of Alabamians who need home repair assistance. All of the families we serve are on fixed and limited incomes. When the need for a major repair such as a roof, a damaged floor, or an accessibility issue such as a wheelchair ramp comes up, the costs far exceed their monthly income. Most only receive $800-$900/month in Social Security. We partner our volunteer “friends” with our families and together we render a home warm, safe, and dry!

Registration is up! So, get plugged in with us and come ride!

Getting ready to ride!

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Jan 252016

3 Days, 3 States, 300 miles-It’s Cycle of Service and it’s just three months away so start that training plan. Join us for three days of century rides across Alabama to raise funds for families needing home repair assistance. The ride is from April 22-24th. We will provide a shuttle to West Alabama to begin our trek at the Alabama/Mississippi line and end our journey in Auburn, AL. You can register with Active.com or on this website where you will also find all of the details about the ride. Come ride with us and help us end the cycle of poverty!

Closing thoughts on Day 3

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Apr 292015

Some closing thoughts from COS 2015 Day 3

Day 3 was our ride from Selma to the Mississippi line and ending in York, Alabama. After Saturday’s ride of dodging tornadoes, rain, battling gusty head winds, and some grueling hills, Sunday was looking like a gravy kind of ride. Basically, a relatively easy 100 miles. Only a few hills and head winds at only 5-6mph.

Heat was our only factor. Our water bottles could not stay cold after about 45 minutes so stopping just to ice down was a necessity.

One of the highlights of the Selma ride is crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. Only six weeks ago was the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery march for voting rights. An iconic landmark, it reminds us and humbles us to the struggles we still have for social justice. Scripture calls us to side with those who are marginalized, disregarded, and taken disadvantage of. We are called to suffer with those who suffer, the true meaning of compassion. Jesus gave us a model of washing feet and revealing our allegiance to Him by laying down our lives for others and being an active example of sacrificial love.

So, after devotion and a prayer from Pastor Steve Kopp, off we were with well paved four lane roads, good conversation, and ready to complete our journey. Passing through Union Town is always interesting and reveals what happens when a community no longer has a stream of economic development and vision. With most of the population being elderly, there is really no way to leave as their homes will not sell in order to create a flow of funds to relocate. “Stuck” is the word of choice. Yet, fifteen miles down the road is an example of hope. Demopolis, although a small town has hope, economic development, camaraderie, and a solid integrated school system. You feel safe in Demopolis.

From Demopolis to the state line on Highway 80, it is wide open country. This was the most difficult part of our ride for the day. Although beautiful once you get to the top, the bridge over the Tombigbee in Demopolis is a formidable challenge. And then comes the hills into Cuba. Five long, grueling climbs and then one more hill before getting to Highway 11 and the smell of the finish.

We completed our ride in York and then shuttled over to Livingston UMC where we were provided with a great dinner before our ride back to Auburn. Thanks to Gail and Ron Baughman. Rev. Gail is the pastor of Livingston UMC and Ron is a retired COL who knows ton about construction and loves to lead volunteer groups.

Lessons are valuable…ones that come to mind. Service. Perseverance. Teamwork. I could not complete this without the help of others. Our riders, the support drivers, the churches and businesses and of course our individual sponsors giving the necessary funds, make one large network of love. So, thanks to a great ride and another Cycle of Service completed. Now, the real work of home repair, loving children, and loving our neighbors continue.

The story behind this picture: Our heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to Oliver Crowson. Oliver is a young boy with a brain tumor and going through treatment. His dad and our friend, Chase, who is an alumni of Auburn, rode with us for the first few years of COS. Chase hopes to join us in the future but his time is currently committed to his son’s treatment and on the day of this ride, there was a 5k happening in Oliver’s behalf to help raise funds for his treatment. Children, Oliver’s age, from our church made these bibs and decorated them. We are sending them to Chase and Oliver to let their family know of our love and support of them!

Day 2- Recap of the day

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Apr 262015

Day 2-

The thunder awoke and the sound of name normally soothing on a Saturday morning was not as comforting. We were going rain or shine…less lightning and tornadoes. I am grateful to modern day technology and being able to track weather. It seemed if we waited to start at 8:45 instead of 8:00 we could bypass the rain and storms. And that is what we did.

A little sore, a little tired, sleep not easy, we were eager to go. And so once the rain passed we were off. We weren’t sure what we would face. Like the two hills that would stretch up for what seemed an eternal distance. Honestly…two hills I had to walk up. We took a risk and changed routed to a main road sacrificing possibly more traffic for less hills. It was a wise decision…although it’s possible all the hills on the other road were done.

Meals were wonderful and by providence. Deciding to take a rest break just outside of Wetumpka, Grace Community Church was open and allowed us to come inside, use the restrooms and break for lunch! And the man who let us in is a cyclist. We may have another rider for next year but also a partner church willing to help us out.

The afternoon was still overcast keeping the sun off but the winds were gusting against us at 14 mph. Painfully slow- going would be an understatement. Personally, I was miserable, and hit a wall-nearly ready to quit. Scott had flattened a tire and I was doing some serious soul searching. I knew I would continue on…not sure just how. I am not even sure I really prayed…but somewhere in my aches and groans and even a little frustration with the wind, there was a plea for help. We started off…me now sure how to gut out the remaining 27 miles and then…something happened. At least in my mind, the wind was not as strong, the hills not as hard, and I literally got a “push” up a hill from Herb. Maybe it was something divine or just people trying to help each other along the journey. Whatever it was, I was grateful. I literally got my second wind.

Although way behind our schedule, we made it into Selma around 6:00pm. After trying to leave Dave at a Walgreens, we loaded up and headed to the National Guard Armory to take showers. A special shout out to CSM Deborah Smart of the 122nd Troop Support Command for letting us in to take showers.

We were hosted by an amazing meal from or friends at Memorial UMC, Rev. Steve Kopp, always excelling at hospitality. After a devotion from Scott about the importance of serving and why we ride, there was no effort in letting everyone to go to sleep. Despite the hardships, it was an amazing day. Our fundraising total was $9585.

Day 1 of Cycle of Service Recap

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Apr 252015

Yesterday was an awesome day! The weather started cool and we were blessed with help with breakfast. So a shout out to Sharon and Chad Willbanks from Jimmy’s Car Stereo and Kelly Aulner. As we gathered, stretched and loaded up, were reminded of the challenges we all face and how we need each other to make it through.

This ride always reminds me of that. As you can imagine, there are always hiccups. Our friend John was sick but wanted to start with us despite his not feeling well. He made it half the day before we had to send him home. Then at about mile 15 there was a turn…only a few people made that turn. So, having to reconnect was quite humorous and reminded me of the old saying out of Cool Hand Luke, “what we have here is a failure to communicate”.

Getting to the 13th Street Bridge in Phenix City went without a hitch. We stopped to take a photo at the bridge and then headed over to Trinity UMC in Phenix City. Our friends Rev. Steve Reneau and Rev. Olivia Pool, pastor of Mt. Zion UMC, treated us to lunch.

Once filled with good food and gatorade we were off. We still have 58 miles to go. It was a tough ride. Long, arduous hills faced us. Grueling does not even begin to describe it. As the afternoon lingered on we also had van troubles and a dead battery. Our friends from AUMC had to come and switch out pull vehicles. I could feel the excitement of getting close to Tuskegee. Remember that turn we missed early I mentioned, that added another 5 miles to our total so my distance meter read 105 when we finished.

The only other exciting thing was that I initiated us into the fall. Pulling into the parsonage, I tried to ride over a curb, lost my balance and momentum and toppled over. When you are clipped in…there just isn’t a whole lot you can do. It was quite glamorous. I was fine…my pride a bit wounded.

We continued to have logistical woes. The plumbing at the parsonage went wacky and everything was backed up. Showers were not an initial issue but we had to get very creative the rest of the evening. A plumber is on the way…but tomorrow will not really help.

After dinner which was provided by Country’s BBQ, we went and visited Tuskegee Methodist Church and talked about our vision there. It served as our devotion for the night.

It was a great day overall. Tired, sunburned, sore…and worth it. Two more days. Our total is just above the $7500 mark towards our goal of $25,000.

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