New Around the Mission

New River Bike Outing

May 14, 2010

Spandex shorts, water bottles and bike helmets were in abundance as forty men from Church of the Apostles in Raleigh, North Carolina, and two other local congregations gathered for their twelfth annual New River Bike Outing, a weekend event combining physical and spiritual activity, fellowship and hearty food for men of all ages.

Travelling in a car caravan loaded with bikes, they congregated just across the Virginia state line at the New River State Park where festivities began on Friday, April 23 with optional activities of kayaking, fishing and camping.

Bikers began their journey on Saturday morning, peddling more than 30 miles on the converted railroad path, over wooden bridges and under canopies of colorful trees that parallel 39 miles of one of the world’s oldest rivers. A traditional lunch hosted by the Fries fire department marked the first respite after the initial 17 mile ride.

“They have been doing lunch for us every year as a fund raiser for the fire station,” explains Lee Bunn, bike event planner. “It is a town of a couple thousand, and they enjoy it when we come to rest and eat their buffet meal.”

Conversations along the trail, during dinner and in the hot tub at the hotel, along with traditional gag gifts awarded for categories including the “most sore” and “coolest bike” foster relationships while testimonials, guitar led worship and a Sunday morning chapel service provide opportunities for spiritual transformation.

“Men generally seem to be more isolated than women when it comes to spending time together, and this is a great way to get them together for physical and spiritual encouragement,” notes Bunn. “It was a blessed weekend.”

Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Faith in Action