Updated POST: 2010 El Tour de Tucson

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!
For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!
For His mercy endures forever"

Psalm 136

The 2010 El Tour de Tucson was a true blessing. Thanks to all of you who made this possible.

But let me start at the beginning. Thursday and Friday we had a booth at the expo. Blessed by our sponsor Hammer Nutrition we were able to hand out many Hammer gels and HEED packets. We talk to many cyclists, visitors and vendors, who shared in the goodness of our LORD and Savior. But we also talked to those who do not yet have a relationship with God through Jesus. We didn't necessarily confronted or convict them, but the Holy Spirit was definitely at work. The expo was as in past years impressive. Many vendors returned in support of this race. Our booth was next to Team Colleen (Cancer Sucks) who rides in support of cancer patients and survivors. It was a joy. The interesting part was that Team Colleen was also next to the IC3 booth at a race in Philadelphia. What is God trying to tell us here? We had one racer come by from the NorCal IC3 spoke which was interesting because he didn't know that we had a spoke down here in Tucson. But by the grace of God we are here and are pressing on to do his good work in the cycling community.

At the race day we had an Aid Station at mile 51, so about half way through the 109 mile distance. The weather was great, and even though it was windy on most of the ride, it was strangely calm at our station. We were truly blessed by the warms and no rain at race day. As usual the first hour none of the riders stopped, unless they really had to use the Porta Potty. We saw a few IC3 jerseys in that first hour from out-of-town riders and from local members. Way to go IC3 !!! From around 10:30 until 12 there was a constant stream of cyclists riding by and stopping at our station. Those were riders who rode either the 109, 79 or 66 miles. We gladly served them all, with either a snack, water or whatever else they need. Sunscreen, very important down here in Tucson, even in November. We even were able to repair a few mechanicals. One cassette was loose and needed to be tightened with a cassette tool (WOW). There were also a few broken spokes and we tried our best to true the wheel.

We had some local IC3 members participating, Todd and Eric rode the 79 miles. Both reported that the wind challenged them once they turned on the Vistoso loop towards the south. Ebby rode the 66 miles at 75 years young, WAY TO GO Ebby !!! Celia, Gabriel and Larry rode the 109. Congratulations to all of you. We also saw IC3 member from out of town. One gentleman stopped by our station who was an IC3 member from Michigan. He said he and his friend are the only 2 IC3 members in Michigan. WAY TO GO !!! Keep up the good work. Press on. That is exactly how the IC3 spoke in Tucson go started. 2 member for many years until Gods prayer was answered and a spoke established. Jim participated as Bike Patrol for the 66 miles. What an awesome opportunity he had and God knew exactly where he wanted him. He assisted a few riders who drank to little/ate to little and could not continue the race. Another rider crashed due to an unsafe passing of another rider. Jim accompanied that rider all the way to the finish line and they arrived after dark (around 6pm). What an awesome testimony.

These were a great couple of days and again Tucson was spotlighted in the cycling community. We pray that we were successful in planting the seeds of faith in those with whom we shared.

2010 El Tour de Tucson Expo, Race & Aid Station

We are excited to be present at the 2010 El Tour de Tucson expo again. We are excited to serve the cycling community by being a witness for our Lord God, Jesus Christ as it is written in 1 Peter 3:15

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who ask you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."

With meekness and fear, an example given by our LORD Jesus Christ in his life that he laid down so that we may life. Visit us at the booth 304. Talk to us. We have some goodies to give away.

2010 Tour de Safford

Patsy and I went to Safford on Friday afternoon and spent the evening picking up the race packet and getting at least a little familiar with the 66 mile course. The planners had to change the course at the last minute to accommodate concerns from the police. Safford impressed us with its busy and really unexpected vigrance in the midst of a shaky economy.

This was the inaugural presentation for Tour de Safford and we were very impressed by how organized everything was. The entire event encompassed opportunities to run a half marathon, a 5K run/walk, OR a 104 mi, 66 mi or 33 mi bike ride. Also there were really cool classic and race cars on display, aircraft on display, flyovers and lots of other interesting things.

The weather was perfect with a slight wind, cool temps and all the events began like clock work, all starting and finishing at the Safford airport. I didn't get an exact count but the organizers thought that the 104 mi event had around 200 riders and in the 66 mi event we had around 50 riders. I didn't get a count on the 33 mi. The course included extended sections around the Gila River valley, through huge cotton fields and across the flowing Gila River.

PBAA offered a lot of advice and help in setting up this event and actually made it an official training ride for El Tour de Tucson. Beautiful medals and T-shirts were awarded all participants.

IC3 was represented and I wore the colors. They even had a wonderful pre-race prayer during which the person praying mentioned the importance of faith in Jesus our Lord. I finished 22nd with a time of 3:37 in the 66 mi (18.2 avg)

It was a great time and if they do it again next year I would encourage more IC3 folks to participate. It was relatively inexpensive (only $65 for any distance) compared to ETDT.

Now, lets get geared up for our El Tour de Tucson events. We are still looking for helpers at the aid station (contact Martha) and let me know if you can volunteer some time at our Tour Expo booth on Thursday and Friday before the ride.

Jesus is Lord and with Him all things are possible. Blessings,

Todd H.

2010 Cochise County Cycling Classic Support

What an awesome opportunity we had to ride in and support the 2010 Cochise County Cycling Classic. Ray, Nic and I went to Douglas, AZ on a wonderful summer day to setup our IC3 canopy and hand out some delicious and nutritious Recoverite after the racers have finished their rides. Thanks be to Hammer Nutrition for their continued support in this manner.

Jim and Ken raced as Bike Partol in the 45 mile event and if that wasn't enough, afterward they headed over to man the last Ham radio station in support of this event. WOOOHOOO !!! Praises be to our Heavenly Father for such dedicated men. As the word says in James 2:18ff "But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?".

We talked to many riders after their race. The consensus was that the wind was not as bad this year as in previous years. But was it enough to set a new record? Check out the unofficial results posted.

Can We Pedal Our Way Into Heaven ?

That was one of the questions Judy Bowman from WHEEL POWER Christian Cyclists presented to us. The day before Mothers Day, we had a great get-together on that beautiful Saturday in May. The temps just climbed into the high 80's, the best time for a BBQ. Even though that was a blessing in itself, praises be to our Heavenly Father, we had an even greater blessing because of the visit from Judy Bowman. Judy has an incredible gift and blessing from God to spread the good news though her cycling mistry. So can we pedal our way into heaven?

Of course not! And Judy made that very clear. The Bible says:

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Eph 2:8

She challenged us to share the Good News and to be a witness for Christ, as Christ instructed his disciples in Acts 1:9 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth". So what do witnesses do? Simple, they don't judge, they don't prosecute, they just tell the truth of what happened to them. Are you ready? What happened to you when Jesus got a hold of you?

Be encouraged, if Jesus if for us, who can be against us?!?

Updated Post: Mt. Lemmon Climb

Our Mt. Lemmon Climb with members from the FCA-E Phoenix Huddle was a success. Many thanks to the organizers and support vehicles for an outstanding day on the roads of Mt. Lemmon.

Praises be to our Heavenly Father !!!

We were not the only once escaping the HEAT of Tucson and Phoenix. We saw many individual riders as well as other teams that were using Mt. Lemmon as an elevation training. That gave us and the support team plenty of opportunity to be a witness for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

There were about 30 riders with all kinds of fitness and skill levels. That was more than we anticipated. But we were well prepared with 4 sag stops and 5 sag vehicles. Each sag stop had more goodies than the next. All riders had a great time and some of them were looking forward to our next training climb up Mt. Lemmon. Check out some of the picture we took.

Mt. Lemmon Climb

We are looking forward to climb to the top of Mt. Lemmon on Aug. 14 with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Endurance (FCA-E).

When: Aug. 14 starting at 6:00am
Where: 9121 East Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, AZ 85749
Meeting at Le Buzz coffee shop near Safeway

I hope you can join us to this wonderful climb. It's going to be an escape from the heat. We will be enjoying riding through the pine forest. It's gonna be quite a transformation from the desert floor. If you have never done this, you should. We will have sag support along the way, so don't be intimidated and ride as far as you can.

"I will extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable."
Psalm 145

2010 4th of July Ride

Happy 4th of July !

This was the second year for our 4th of July Ride. These early morning rides are a blessing here in Tucson, especially on the 4th of July. With almost no traffic on the road, it was a relaxing bike ride. And afterward at AJ's we had an equally great time of fellowship. It was a time to catch up on what happened so far during the summer and what is going to happen for the remaining summer month. It's a time of sharing and relaxing, encouragement and exhortation.

I hope you had a great 4th of July in 2010. We'll hope to see you at our next years ride. God speed, your IC3 Team in Tucson.

2010 Ride Of Silence

We participated in this years Ride of Silence in Tucson, AZ. This was the first time I rode in it and it was truly amazing. For about 1 hour we rode around Tucson to Honor, to bring Awareness and to Share the Road in a silent way. The silence was truly amazing, especially with so many cyclists participating. Usually at training rides or even races there is some conversation going on at all times. But at this ride all riders were disciplined. WOW!







"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!"
Psalm 46:10






I hope and pray that each rider truly reflected on their lives, and that God who rode with us will make Himself know to each riders and Bless Him or Her and safe them, as it is written, "let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."