I'm excited to share that on July 24-25, I'll be participating in my 3rd Agony Ride in Sierra Valley, California. The Agony Ride is a 24-hour cycling event that is physically and mentally taxing, but the purpose behind every mile is what makes it so meaningful.
The Agony Ride raises funds for students at Christian Encounter 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. While at The Ranch, they receive counseling, academic support, work training, and practical life skills. But above all else, they experience something many of them have never known before: people who love them consistently, sacrificially, and without expecting anything in return. Through the staff and counselors, they begin to see the love that Christ has for them—a love that has the power to change the course of a life.
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 the agony that others are putting themselves through, all in an effort to help them. Experiencing this act of love 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 proceeds from The Agony Ride directly support student scholarships. No student is turned away because of their financial situation, meaning many students rely on these needs-based scholarships in order to attend. Simply put, more money donated to The Agony Ride means more students able to attend and receive that life changing care. 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.
Would you consider helping in one of three ways?
1. Consider a donation to this awesome cause. There are flat donation options, as well as per mile donations. Riders especially appreciate the per mile donations as it is a great motivator to suck it up and get back on the bike when we don't feel like going any further. I achieved 252 miles in 2019, 339 miles in 2024, and am hoping to match or eclipse that this year.
2. Pray for me and the ministry during the Agony Ride. This ride is no joke, and on my first attempt it mentally broke me in the middle of the night. Pray for strength to keep pedaling, safety on the road, and that the students would see how loved they are.
3. Send messages of support. Throughout the ride, people will be able to track the progress of the riders as well as send messages of encouragement. Those messages are delivered to the riders, and make a huge difference to keep going when you want to stop.
I know not everyone is in a position to give financially, and that's completely okay. Whether you're able to donate, pray, send messages, or simply take a few minutes to read this, I'm truly grateful. Thank you for considering being part of what God is doing through this ministry.
With gratitude,
Austin Elliott
| Austin's Recent Events |
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Let’s see what happens if you get over 300
Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony. (Psalm 6:2)
Awesome! Praying for you!
This is an amazing opportunity Austin and I am proud of your participation in this ministry! Please be safe and have fun!
What a cool organization to be a part of and support! Best of luck to you on the ride and may it be His strength that carries you to the end.
Good luck and I will be praying for you. What a wonderful cause.
Go, Austin, go!
Go far, Austin!
I will be praying for your stamina and success. Love you, brother!!
Yay, Austin. So glad you're riding again! We know we'll see great things!!
Proud of you Austin for providing service for others. We hope you reach your goal!
Best of luck, Austin! What a great cause.
You can do anything through Him. Look to the Lord for your strength. We will be thinking about you and cheering you on!
Praying you have a very successful and safe ride Austin. May The Lord Bless you in this worthy endeavor.
On behalf of Linda Frizzell
We will be praying for you as you ride!
Uncle Gary and Aunt Lenora
So excited for you and this opportunity to serve! We will be praying for you and for safety during the ride!
You got this Austin! We are praying for you as you ride.
Proud of you for doing this Austin. Hope to make it to the race one of these days. We’re contributing $3.33/mile up to 300 miles and $10/mile for every mile over 300. Love you and will be praying for you during the agony ride.
You’ve got this Austin! Praying for you!
Proud of you! Go Austin!
And you are back. Well done already. Beat Ted.
Austin: This is the motivation needed before we start. Thank you!
Austin, Take care out there! We know you are going to make me regret saying a dollar!
Thanks for investing in these kids’ lives. Keep going. You can do it.
Dear friend, Austin, we are praying for God's protection, strength, and encouragement as you take on this challenge. May He bless your efforts abundantly and use them to transform the lives of many young people at Christian Encounter Ranch. God bless! Please provide details for wire transfer, as I don't have PayPal.
Keep it up, Austin!
You ROCK! Brooke, Tommy and kids
Proud of you, Austin! Bring it home!
We love you so much and are so proud of you! Keep it up!
Congratulations on breaking 350!
Austin, Great job! Way to suffer for the Kingdom. We are happy we got to ride a couple miles with you. Andy and Laurie
Austin: What a cool surprise to find this sponsorship! Those few miles I drafted you were a God send. I needed to eat some food and every other time I saw you, you were going faster than me, so it was good encouragement to speed up to get in draft position and eat. Thank you both for the draft and the donation!
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Well done, Austin!
Impressive work Austin! You are going to have work pretty hard to beat that one!
Austin: No no. We don't talk about any future rides for at least a month.
Awesome work!
WOW, Austin!! You're AMAZING!!!!!!!
We are so proud of you!!!! 360 wow!! We love you!!
1 more minute!!!
You beat your mileage goal AND your own record! Great work, Austin!
you are amazing and an inspiration. way too go little brother!!!!
You did it!
10 more minutes!!!
Sooooo proud of you!
You surpassed your goal! You da man!
30 minutes?! You can do anything for 30 minutes. Stick with it, keep those legs moving! You're doing an incredible job!
Get 350 babe!! It's the final countdown!
You’re in the home stretch! You’re one of the toughest people alive. Finish strong!!!!
OFFICIALLY SURPASSED YOUR GOAL!!!!
Less than 1 hour babe!!! You've got this!!!!
not that you're looking at the clock or anything, but less then an hour!!!! Keep going strong! but also, our budget stops at 350 miles ;) hehe hehe
Only 1 hour more! Keep going!
I just finished! and you're almost there! Hard to push at the end, but you're so close! You got this!!!!
Fantastic! Almost. Done.
WOW! Way to go Austin!
Austin: Thank you! I have good training partners (Hazel, Colby, Carson)
Keep peddling! Not much time left. Praying for you!
NEXT STOP YOU SURPASS YOUR GOAL!!!!!
Go Austin, Go!!!! You are crushing it! 350+ easy! Still lots of time!
Keep riding for Jesus!! You are an inspiration!
headed out to run 5miles. it'll probably take me as long as you going from 1 station to the next! Will be thinking and praying for you!
324 with 2 hours left!! You've got this!!!
Correction, over $450 per leg!
Austin: This blows me away even now. And a great reason to push to finish those last two awful headwind legs. The generosity of my sponsors was STAGGERING.
Praying for you in these last few hours. Praying Psalms 121 over you and that your strength would come from the Lord!
Austin: Especially relevant Psalm to pick with as hot as it was during the day. Thank you both!
Wow, Austin!! I'm so impressed!!! Praying for you!!!!!!!
Every leg now is more than $400 for the teens! Keep going and bankrupt us all!
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Romans 8:8 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us. Go Austin! Hang in there. You are amazing.
This is not a subjective music competition! Praying God grants you the physical stamina to keep the lead. Go Austin go!!!!
Austin: haha, someone is still bitter about all my 2nd place awards.
You are ONE viewing of the extended edition of Fellowship of the Ring away from finishing. Keep pushing!
Austin: Of all the helpful messages I received, this was probably the least helpful.
Way to go, Austin! Keep pushing through!
300!!!! woohoo!!!! that’s incredible.
You hit 300 babe!!! You're a BEAST!! Lock in and finish strong!!!
300 club x2! whhhaaattttt
300! Congratulations!
300!! And still moving! Woohoo! YAY Austin! Incredible! Keep "pressing on toward the mark" Go, go, go!
Doing so well! Impressive! Praying for you as the day heats up.
Felt inspired ran 2.25 miles this morning (I know impressive 😝 compared to your nearly 300 miles) thought of and prayed for you. You've got this bro
Daddy has gone 288 miles! Colby "Wow! That's so many. He's so fast!"
Austin: Cause I train hauling you around yelling at me to go faster! Thanks training buddy!
Get it Austin! You are gaining on the lead! Crushing it!
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. You are showing these kids the love of the Savior who endured the cross for them. Keep going in His strength!
Austin: THIS was the theme verse of the Agony Ride this year, and my mantra when I needed to just zone out. "Who for the joy" - Pedal - "Who for the joy" - Pedal
Every mile is a reminder that God is faithful (to you and the teen's). Keep going-He’ll sustain you through every challenge. Praying for you!
Austin: God is faithful all the time, even when He throws us into situations like what these kids have gone through, or when I have to put up a with a headwind for a couple miles... You know, maybe I won't compare those hardships again haha
Wow, Austin. You are incredible. You are on your way to reaching your goal. You can do it! Keep "pressing on toward the mark". Go, go, go!! Praying for you!
You're the best daddy and I love you Daddy!!!
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.” – Babe Ruth
You’ve beat your record! Keep going! You’re making a difference. We’ve all been praying for you and are so proud of you.
Austin: Proud to represent Peak View and talk about my great church in small talk with riders and others.
Go Austin! You’re killing it!
Woohoo! The darkness is gone, you've made it to the morning. Just keep on going, you're demonstrating the hands and feet (and legs 😅) of Jesus to these kids. Keep at it. 👏🏻
Austin: The legs. I was mostly the legs.
ahem. I stand corrected. 1st place for men's mileage. very nice. very nice indeed.
Top of the leaderboard!! Incredible
Good morning! Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
2nd for mileage. woot woot. niiccceeee
252 was what you did for your first Agony, and you're flying past that!!!
The night is nearly over, the day is at hand. Ride like a child of the light! Romans 13:12.
you’re #1 on the men’s leaderboard on the agony app right now!!
Looped at Beckworth!! You’re a beast!!
uncle Austin has done 228 miles! Josie- ohhhh, why does he want to do that???
hey brother! you got this! I'm sure some of this is the hardest stretch. but sun should be coming up soon. you've got this!
Respect to you for doing this! Keep on keeping on!!
A person always doing his or her best becomes a natural leader, just by example.” - Joe DiMaggio Thank you for being that person
Austin: I couldn't help but notice all the quotes by baseball guys. It's like you know what will work to fire me up.
Psalm 30:5 Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning This night will end soon there will be God's encouragement and joy as the sun's rays dissipate the darkness.
Austin, The miles are adding up! Impressive! Thank you for being willing to do this! Praying for safety and strength!
Austin: Could not have done it without those prayers. And assistance from your oldest son stealing Ted's stuff and giving it to me 😂
You've got this, Austin!! What an amazing job you are doing! Keep conquering those miles one by one. I'm praying for strength and safety.
Austin: Prayers helped. I can't explain how good I felt throughout the entire 24 hours (okay 23.5 hours) of the ride other than prayers for strength.
Isaiah 40:31 [31] but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Good morning! You've made it over halfway! Keep on pushing
WOW!! 😳🤯🤩
400? Sure, why not! Praying for you that the Lord’s sustaining peace and care would fill you.
Proud of you! Praying even in the wee hours of the morning you feel the strength of the Lord as your physical body fatigues. 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Austin: Excellent verses for this. Thanks for sending those.
Austin, you’re flying! You’re in the top 5 on the men’s leaderboard! All those bike (prayer!) commutes are paying off. Great job! I respect you!!
Austin: Spent more time in prayer on the bike, especially at night, and I never hit that low spot.
Almost 1:30 here and I think it's time for me to go to bed haha but I'll check on you again soon. You're amazing!!
Great Job! You are an inspiring athlete
It's close to 1:00 a.m. here --about as late as I can stay up. Just want you to know I'm proud of all you're doing for others during this ride. Keep up the positive attitude! I'll check on you after I get a little sleep
Daddy, I have no idea what you're doing and I've been sleeping for most of it, but I can't wait to hear about it someday! I love when you smile at me and tickle me!
Austin: I got to talk about you to a lot of people this weekend :) Love your smiles kid
150 and counting! Praying for you as you go into the long night ride. You're being such a wonderful example to our kids of self sacrifice and kindness. You're our hero!
Great cause! Keep it up! Praying from Germany.
Austin: Thank you from the land of freedom! California! 😂
Another hour completed! Praying for you as we head into the night.
You’re already at 144! Good job, Austin! It’s almost tomorrow here in Mountain time; I’m praying for you as I get Lane to sleep. Thinking of the glory of what God is doing… what you are doing through Him…how the spiritual realm is being affected through your sacrifice tonight and tomorrow (and after!)…. Thinking of the glory—behind this veil—that we just catch little glimpses of… today those glimpses are a little easier to see than they usually are. You are a key part of that. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for tangibly loving the students (and the whole Ranch community). May God shine His glory through you and use you to impact eternity bigtime, including in your kids who are witnessing your love not only for them everyday but today also your love for other peoples’ kids. May you ride with Jesus. Maybe draft behind Him. :)
Austin: "Maybe draft behind Him" stuck with me. I did more riding at night alone than I wanted to, but I wasn't ever truly alone. Thanks Becky.
If horses can sleep standing up, you can sleep while riding, right? Haha! Keep it up!
Austin: Your message made me think, "I don't even want to know what cowboys' butts feel like after weeks in the saddle moving a herd cross country."
Praying for strength and endurance as we enter the evening hours. You've got this (well, you don't, but God does); lean into Him when the darkness comes.
9 hours done! Keep it up, and show those kids the love God has for them!
"Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty…" -Teddy Roosevelt
Austin: You know I'm a sucker for a good TR quote.
GO Austin!!! You’re doing amazing! Praying!
Praying for you!
I'm amazed that you're doing this! Keep up the good work!!
Keep up the good work!
They are missing one important note on your accomplishments-first of the Versaw clan to ride the Agony. Wish I could join the party cheering you on in person. Don't go alone into the night.
Austin: Had to learn that lesson the hard way. Had two divine appointments in the middle of the night too with other riders when I needed them.
You’re an amazing person, who is doing amazing things for amazing people!
100 miles and counting! Keep up the good work 👏🏻
you are doing great! praying for you
We are so proud of you! Keep going!
Over 100 miles babe!! So proud of you!
Heading to bed, but wishing you good night riding. "Do not go gentle into that good night"
Just keep going! Praying for you guys!
Hope isn't a feeling, it's a destination. Keep it up Austin!
Praying for you Austin, you are doing great.
Just keep biking, just keep biking. You've got this! Praying for you!
Way to go!!! Keep it up!!!!
72 miles in!!!
I loved our Daddy/daughter date on Monday! You're the best. I love you!
Austin: I'm always thinking about the next one with you 🤎
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
You're so fast Daddy! I love you!
you got this! girls are already impressed!!!
Update: I misread. You actually have a lead on Ted. My bad. Carry on
Off to a great start, but you're letting Ted get a lead! Lock in, bro.
Praying for you today!
Hey Austin!! Hang in there!! I'm praying for you!!!!!!!
12 done already easy peasy!!
Go Austin! We are pulling for you!!
You're amazing babe and I'm so in awe of you!!
Praying for you! You’ve got this. What an example to your kids!
Austin: My kids are my training partners too!
2 rides, 591 miles ridden, $15,304.45 raised
2024: 339 miles, $10,066.05 raised
2019: 252 miles, $5,238.40 raised