
A Perfect Weekend!
By Allen Slabaugh
2012 FCBA Trip Leader
This weekend has truly been a great weekend. The people here in Tabernacle, New Jersey have just been absolutely wonderful to us and have made us feel right at home. These two days off from biking have been much needed after we’ve pedaled close to 450 miles this past week. Yesterday we got to experience our first build of the trip and build days are always very exciting to me because it’s when you get to see and experience first-hand the reason why you are riding. It reenergizes you after a long week of riding to get back out there and keep pedaling. All the pain, tough climbs, early wake-ups, and sleeping on the floor are all more than worth it when you get to meet the families of the homes the Fuller Center is working on and get to see how much it means to them.
We had the opportunity to meet Justin who suffers from Friedreich ataxia a rare disease that is
After the build we had a get together with the local Fuller Center board at one of their homes. We enjoyed some more wonderful food, had a huge bonfire and just had the opportunity to relax and enjoy each other’s company. It’s hard to believe that we all met just one week ago. Over the course of this first week the group has really formed a close bond with one another and lifelong friendships are being developed.
Today
Today also marks the end of segment 1 so we unfortunately have to say our good-byes to a few riders who we’ve gotten to know so well over the past week. But what I’ve found over the past couple of Bike Adventures is you really never see each other for the last time. This common bond of service and the Fuller Center seems to have a way of making you cross paths on future builds and rides.
This weekend has once again reminded me that this ride is not about me and the miles I’m pedaling but it’s about something more, something greater than myself. It’s about the relationships you form with fellow riders and people you meet along the way. It’s also about putting your faith into action and helping a fellow brother or sister who is in need of a hand-up. This has been a very special ride so far with a wonderful group of riders and I’m very excited to see what God has in store for us the next four weeks.
One Comment
Allen you are a great person and the right leader for this mission of the Fuller Center. Thanks for keeping us on task and for the many laughs. I have seen you grow over the very short we have spent together. Great leaders sweat, laugh, cry, stand beside, watch over and truly care about the needs of those they lead, You do this well. Good luck to you, it was my pleasure to have meet and spent time with you. Hoping God will cross our paths in the near future. Remember to eat at Pei Wei’s asain restaurant, and that olives look like little bowling balls.