$374,504 raised in gifts and pledges
40th Agony Ride Stats
Mike Boon is the only person to have ridden in every Agony Ride since its inception. Mike has previously served as both CER staff and board member. He currently serves as Executive Director and senior chaplain at Placer County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy. “The whaaat ride?” “The Agony Ride.” “OK, that doesn’t sound remotely like fun.” “Well, fun isn’t necessarily part of the package. It’s for a great cause. It’s for Christian Encounter Ranch where kids can go get the life help they need.” “Twenty-four hours on a bicycle? “Well, as far as you can ride in that amount of time.” And so the conversation continues. I can’t tell you how many times I have had that conversation over the last 40 years. More often than not it ends with some version of “better you than me” or “you ARE crazy.” And, sadly, that’s likely more true than I want to admit.
Forty years, over three locations (well, more if you count virtual rides), and a number of route variations in the Sierra Valley. Stories and spiritual and personal insights abound. I could fill my word limit with just the keywords to the many stories and insights. The contrasts are astounding; worship at the summit, barfing in the valley, frozen water bottles, heat exhaustion, rattlesnakes, cows, and drunk drivers. I could regale you for hours. (Well for 30 minutes or so anyway; the rest of the time you’d be yawning and looking for the nearest exit.) And so many motivational scripture references. “Run with endurance...” “Press on for the prize...” “Who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross...” July 29 - 30 | Sierra valley | Virtual Option AVAILABLE2022 marks the Agony’s 40th anniversary and we’re expecting many returning riders to join us for this commemorative year. Among them are CER staff Caryn Galeckas and Suzanne Hartley, who plan to ride virtually before the event, allowing them to continue in their leadership roles during the event itself. This year’s staff riders are pictured below. Clockwise: Nate Boyd, Executive Director; Caryn Galeckas, Office Manager; Suzanne Hartley, High School Principal; Aaron Pellerino, Maintenance Foreman; Jensen Near, Director of Student Life; Zoya Lee, Communications Coordinator From Aaron, first time rider: Working these past two years at the Ranch has been an absolute privilege and adventure! It is amazing to see how the Lord moves each day in the hearts of our students. Last year I sagged for the Agony Ride, and it was incredible to see the sacrifice the riders made for these students. Now, I get to be one of those riders! My prayer is for our students to witness the sacrificial love of Jesus in action. As I train, this isn’t just another physical challenge, but an opportunity to show them the love of God, who laid everything down for us! TO SPONSOR A RIDER OR GET INVOLVED, VISIT AGONYRIDE.ORG |