Fuller Center's bicycle mission begins when pedaling stops

Spartanburg Herald-Journal
By Kim Kimzey

Volunteers cycling across the country on a 2,500-mile journey made a stop in Spartanburg and repaired two homes during the past few days.

The volunteers are participants in the third annual Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure, which raises awareness and money for The Fuller Center for Housing, a ministry with a mission “to provide adequate shelter for all people in need worldwide.”

Ryan Iafigliola is leading the bicycle trip. Iafigliola, director of international field operations with The Fuller Center, said cyclists left Niagara Falls, N.Y., on June 20 and are about 1,500 miles into the tour. They arrived here Saturday and are scheduled to leave today. About 1,000 miles remain before the group reaches the end of the tour in New Orleans.

Iafigliola said six volunteers plan to travel the entire route. Others have joined the group for shorter distances. They have dealt with scorching heat, thunderstorms, flat tires and “fluke injuries,” but Iafigliola said the biggest challenge is the “day-to-day grind.”

They cycle an average of 70 miles per day. Nights are usually spent sleeping on church floors.

“We want to be sure that all the money we raise is going toward the work, so we’re not paying for hotels or fancy meals. We’re just living off what we can get for cheap or free; that way all the money we raise goes toward the work,” he said.

Their goal is to raise $250,000 to build and repair homes in Haiti, New Orleans and elsewhere.

The group stayed at Arcadia United Methodist Church while here. Restoration Church donated about 40 pounds of chicken used to make chicken salad. Belue Farms also donated produce for volunteers.
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The Bike Adventure is happening now. To hear what they’ve been up to from the perspective of riders, check out the photo/video blog!



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