Nicole Hopkins

• Update - June 9, 2026, 10:55 a.m.

  

  Well, I'm doing the thing! While the Agony has been something I've wanted to ride in for the last 15 years (since I worked at the ranch in 2011-2012), I kind of thought that God had forgotten about my little crazy dream. Turns out, he didn't! My prayer had always been, "Listen, if you want me to do this, you're gonna have to come up with all the equipment and make sure everything is set for me in California because we both know (talking to the Lord here), that dropping hundreds on equipment and shipping it across the country from Michigan isn't in the cards." This year, it seems as though God said, "Okay girl, let's go." In April of this year, I received a text message from my long-time mentor and friend, Mike Petrillo where he said "Hey there! Crazy idea, but would you want to ride in the Agony? I was contacted by a friend who is no longer riding and wants to donate her bike and equipment to someone who would ride in the Agony. You came to mind. Crazy thought, but worth thinking and praying about if it's something you'd like to do." (Insert jaw drop here). After thinking, praying and thinking some more, I couldn't say no. It just seemed too obvious to ignore. So, off we go! Not only is there a road bike with all the fixin's ready and waiting for me in California, but Mike connected me with Keri and we have been encouraging each other and creating a sweet friendship for the last couple of months. She also shipped me a box of her things to get me started with training. What a total blessing and GAME CHANGER. Things I didn't even know I needed (padded shorts are saving my life right now). I am not a cyclist, historically I have been a runner, so this is completely out of my realm! A helmet, chamois, clipless shoes (that just so happen to be my same size, should I be surprised?), gloves, camelbak, riding pants, etc. I cried opening her sweet note and package that contained everything I needed to be covered from head to toe. What a blessing. So, that being said, training has been....tough! Cycling is no joke y'all. But knowing that what I'm doing is going to impact lives and families for generations is totally worth it. I've seen how God uses the ranch to change lives. Heck, I live to tell my own tales. So I keep getting on my little mountain bike and hitting our hilly gravel trails as much as I can to train knowing that it matters. What we do and how we show up and support really matters. I only hope to inspire others. To show my daughters that doing hard things for the good of others is what we're called to do as humans who love Jesus. Thank you for supporting me as I support the mission. I know that the Agony is bigger than all of us and I'm stepping full throttle into something that is going to change my life. If I'm honest, it already has. Thank you for being a part of it, couldn't do it without you. -Nicole

Your support means so much and will get me through each stroke of the pedal!

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This is Nicole's first Agony Ride!