AMERICUS —
Along with hundreds of other riders from across the country, eight local people will be involved in the third annual Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure (FCBA).
Keith Wishum, minister of Williams Road Church of Christ in Americus, is one of them.
Wishum, a regular columnist in the Americus Times-Recorder, said this is the second year he has been involved and his goal is to raise at least $500 for the cause, same as he did last year. The ultimate goal of the FCBA is to raise $250,000.
Wishum explained that the FCBA is composed of seven segments, roughly a week at a time, some from four to five days in length.
The segment that he is involved in is 77 miles in one day, from Americus to Pelham. They will depart Americus at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday from First Baptist Church.
Riding along with Wishum will be Josh Davis, Wishum’s associate minister, and Wishum’s brother, Roxy Wishum of Montgomery, Ala. He said the three did the event together last year as well.
Wishum listed the other local riders:
Allen Slabaugh will cycle from Americus to New Orleans; Becky Acton, from Tallahassee, Fla., to New Orleans; Hilary Trudell, from Americus to Tallahassee; Larry Galante, from Americus to Tallahassee, and Kirk Lyman-Barner, from Macon to Americus.
Wishum was asked what compels him to do this sort of thing.
“It’s a combination,” he said. “I like the physical challenge and it gives me some motivation to keep exercising and stay in shape for this type of event, but I also like it because of what the money is going for. I feel good knowing that my peddling and sweating is going to help somebody build a house somewhere.”
While Wishum said he would love to do a trip over several days, his schedule will not allow it.
“I’m not sure how my body would handle it, day after day,” he said. “I am exhausted and sore after just one day. I can’t imagine how it is getting up and doing it again day after day, for weeks. It is beyond my comprehension. It’s mind boggling, but they seem to love it. They’re always cheerful and having a good time.”
Wishum also said they meet interesting people along the way. “It’s amazing how nice folks are; we’re often offered something to drink.”
He related the story of stopping at a convenience store along the route last year. Another rider had already stopped, in need of emergency bike repairs. The guy at the store had a little shop and fixed it for her and she was on her way again. He then did some research on The Fuller Center and the bike ride.
“By the time we stopped in, he knew all about it. He was extremely nice to us,” Wishum said.
It’s still not too late to make a donation. You can send checks to The Fuller Center for Housing, 701 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Americus GA 31719.
Local News
July 24, 2010
Locals joining in on Fuller Center bike adventure
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