Current Amount Raised: $0.00 + $0.00 per mile
I am extremely excited that for the second time, I will be riding in the Agony Ride in Sierra Valley California. The appropriately named Agony Ride is a 24 hour bike ride where each rider is given the simple purpose of riding as many miles as physically possible during the allotted time. But the ride is so much more than that.
The Agony Ride raises funds for what is affectionately called The Ranch. The Ranch houses at-risk teens through young adults who come from backgrounds of substance abuse, abandonment, neglect, and other forms of abuse and trauma. During these pivotal years, the residents of The Ranch will experience healing and hope, as well as guidance from the staff members. The counselors and interns at The Ranch will provide them with help in dealing with addictions, past hurt from family members, behavioral and emotional problems, and simultaneously teaching them practical life skills such as academic support and work training. More important than these is how the staff pours love into the lives of each student of The Ranch. For many, this may be the first time they have experienced love of this kind first hand, and it is often transformational in how their lives will unfold.
The ride itself accomplishes the goals of this ministry, not just through dollars raised, but in showing these students a small picture of unconditional love. Each student of The Ranch will work at one of the aid stations, assisting the riders with whatever they need during the ride. It may start with filling up water bottles or grabbing food, but as the hours roll on, they start to see the fatigue and pain set in on the riders. In the early AM hours, the students may have to physically help a rider off of their bike, or even more poignantly, back onto their bike... They see firsthand the agony that these strangers are putting themselves through, all in an effort to help The Ranch and the students of The Ranch. Experiencing this act of love firsthand can even be the turning point for some of these students in their journey of healing and beginning to understand the unconditional love that Christ Jesus has for them.
All of this is why I am so excited to be riding in the Agony Ride this year and helping to raise funds which will support these teens who need help the most.
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2 rides, 591 miles ridden, $15,708.40 raised
2024: 339 miles, $10,470.00 raised
2019: 252 miles, $5,238.40 raised