You can make a difference!
Ride your bike, volunteer as a "sagger," or sponsor a rider. Each role makes a difference for Christian Encounter Ministries and the young people we serve.
Description:
The Agony is a 24-hour bike-a-thon to raise funds for Christian Encounter Ministries. The ride is normally held the last Friday and Saturday of July in the Sierra Valley 25 miles north of Truckee, California. Click here to see photos of the 2011 Agony Ride. Click here to see a map of the route: Route Map
Christian Encounter Ministries is a domestic mission organization with the unique purpose of discipling and counseling troubled young people. These young people come to CEM with major damage from families, society, and/or their own poor choices. As a domestic mission, we are dependent on the loving generosity of mission-minded ministry partners. Our annual Agony Ride is an opportunity for our partners to participate in this vital mission. Some of our staff and approximately ninety other riders attempt to push their limits by riding as far as they can in 24 hours. The Agony has become more than just a personal challenge; it now stands as a pointed demonstration of Christ's love for our students as well as a witness for Christ in the communities of the Sierra Valley.
30th Anniversary: 2012 is the 30th Anniversary of the Agony Ride. The ride began as a challenge to go from Badwater, Death Valley (the lowest point in the U.S.), to the top of Mt. Whitney (the highest point in the lower 48 states) in 24 hours, by bicycle and on foot. This year we will honor those who made the attempt from 1982 to 1985. Read Mike Petrillo's special invitation to those riders.
You can be involved as a rider, a sagger, and/or a sponsor.
As a Rider, you will join other riders with a diverse range of abilities but a single purpose: to help struggling young people. If you would like to ride you must be at least 18 years of age, and you must gather at least $300.00 in pledged support for the miles you ride.
As a Sagger (SAG = Support and Gear), you will join approximately 200 others to support the riders throughout the event. We have a wide range of needs that require different interests and abilities. If you would like to sag you must be at least 18 years of age and be willing to help care for the riders for at least one 8-hour shift. Most saggers come for the entire event (10:00 a.m. Friday through 2:00 p.m. Saturday), and take short, scheduled breaks as needed. (Riders may not bring their own personal saggers.)
As a Sponsor you can help the young people at CEM and mightily encourage the riders by giving one or more riders a per mile or flat pledge. You can sponsor by pledging for the rider of your choice, for a rider chosen for you from the CEM staff, or (a flat rate) for Team CEM (consisting of the 3-5 CEM staff who will be riding this year).