This is the first update of the year and covers our "slow" months due to the weather and holidays. We are continuing to grow and Praise the Lord for all the servants riding for Jesus! Keep the rubber down...
1 February 2025 Freeze Your Fanny 2025
Before 0800 Tammy Estes Van Horn drove us over to the Orr dealership to meet Art Garcesa and David Bridgewater who had already started setting up the tent at the Freeze Your Fanny Bike Ride. Margie Estes Bellomy was there with six dozen donuts and nine thermoses full of hot coffee. Art snatched quite a few chairs for the hospitality booth while David put the bananas and oranges on the table. Jimmy was also helping them while Margie got the donuts situated. We also served 4 gallons of water and 3 gallons of gatorade. Tammy and Margie went to the store to get extra water to make more coffee if needed. It wasn't, we only served 30 cups of coffee this year. The weather was nice and warm. Gerald Bolin and Bora Bolin arrived with smiles on. It was great to see them there. Derrick Daniels arrived in time to get volunteered to say the opening prayer for us. Ryan Hochdorf showed with smiles and a big hug. I met Ryan at the FYF2023. I got to meet Paul Brown and Ryan McCary before the ride started as well. I wish I could have seen the look on my face when LouAnn Campbell walked up and smiled. It was such a blessing to finally meet her. I'm glad we got a short visit in before the ride because she was gone when the ride started! Ethan VanHorn got a picture of her when she came across the finish line. Got to love that smile! Jack Carmicheal Thompson and his sister in law Christy joined us as well! Tammy, Margie and Ethan kept the booth supplied and visited with each other while we rode. I only stopped once at the 31 mile rest stop and got to meet Randy Wells the Beast Of The Backroads director. I'm thinking really hard about riding in it, especially since it's a race but all are welcome to ride. It would be a nice training ride for the MS150. I'm sure Tammy and Margie would enjoy visiting while I did. LOL. I talked to Tammy on the radio about every five miles. Also talked with two hams when I got back to the finish line. We stuck around and visited with the other riders as they came in. Instead of 36 miles, David and Jimmy rode 41 miles. (David missed a turn) Jerry was getting worried as he waited for his wife to finish, but she arrived unscathed and with a smile. Jack, Christy and Art pulled up the rear and did a great job. Christy said she had a blast so hope we see her in more rides. (I think she plans on doing the Beast of the Backroads!) We stopped at Chick-fil-a on the way out of town because we had free chicken sandwich card in our swag bag.
We hold this ride close and dear to our hearts as it benefits the East Texas Lightnin which is a registered 501-C3 charity and their athletes participate in Special Olympics Texas events. This is one of our home turf and home court ride and we are very proud to be a part of this great event. We had members from our Gatesville and DFW families come out to support an awesome ride!
We would like to thank everyone that came out and hope to see everyone at the next rally.
Here is a link to the PHOTO ALBUM on facebook.
14 December 2024 Art Garcesa
Earlier Today: Dallas, Texas
We are very blessed to participate earlier today at the 7th Annual Texas Loop. Christian Cycling - Texas supported this ride with a rest stop in the middle of the course. This ride over the years, have become a family and friends ride. A ride to reflect for this past season and a ride to look forward to the upcoming year. We would like to thank David Walker and everyone for having Christian Cycling co-host this event. Riding from our group were David Bridgewater, David Walker, Maria Alejandra Muñoz, Fabian Broncano, and Miguel Ortiz
4 December 2024 Art Garcesa
Brothers & Sisters: Turn up the video and enjoy!
Please join me in thanking our leadership team: Pastor Monty Van Horn (Christian Cycling - Texas spoke Director), our Area Representatives (Area Reps), and also our National Board for an incredible year in 2024. We look forward to an even better and bigger year in 2025.
We have had an awesome year in riding and in growth! Prayers for everyone to have a blessed holiday season. God bless you all.
Our leadership Team:
Pastor Monty Van Horn: Christian Cycling Texas Spoke Director
Bruce Beyerly: National Board & President of Christian Cycling
Jim Boland & Coach Bonnie Boland: Area Reps - Farmersville, TX
Jonathan Schmidt: National Board - Spoke Directors Liason
Derrick Daniels: Area Rep - Longview, TX
Jesse Futrelll: National Board - Membership & Administration
Gerald Bolin & Bora Bolin: Area Reps - Garland, TX
Gerald David Torres: National Board - Sponsors & Vendors Liason
Dustin Connell & Deana Connell: Area Reps - Belton, TX
Alan Trammell: Area Rep - Gainesville, TX
Drew Walters: Area Rep - Houston, TX
Doraine Chirco & Nick Chirco: Area Reps - Harker Heights, TX
Perry Gaudet: Area Rep - Whitney, TX
Kathy Sutton & Lonnie Sutton: Area Reps - Abilene, TX
Robert Gonzales Jr.: Area Rep - Waco, TX
Todd Lightner: Area Rep - Midlothian, TX
Ryan Schmidt: Area Rep - Austin, TX
Eddie Anderson: Area Rep - Melissa, TX
Zina Lynn McCrory: Area Rep - Graham, TX
29 November 2024 from Art
Brothers & Sisters: Please join me in welcoming our newiest subscriber Christine Saville.
Christine is perfect example of an ambassor for cycling. I met her back years ago and she's always got that welcoming smile. She shines her light riding with our brothers and sisters at STCC in Frisco. She also rides gravel and MTB. Welcome Christine! We are excited to have you join us and we are looking forward to riding with you in 2025
24 November from Jim Bolin
Sinclair asked to join Christian Cycling-Texas and volunteered to be the Farmersville mascot.
Next season be ready for our new mascot.
23 November 2024 - Denton Texas - 42nd Annual Turkey Roll
Christian Cycling Texas closed out our 2024 rally season at the 42nd Annual Denton Turkey Roll. The Denton Turkey Roll is organized by the Denton Breakfast Kiwanis. All proceeds go to the Kiwanis Club in support of youth leadership clubs at eight different schools, the Tiny Libraries project, and the back-to-school project. The latter two initiatives provide free books for school-aged children, ensuring Denton’s young students and bookworms access to resources they need to learn and have fun while doing it!
We are very blessed to have been able to do 2 separate tent set up today and to contribute to the success of this ride. We had Coach Bonnie Boland and Jim Boland (Farmersville, TX Reps) at the start & finish line village while Thomas Goes (Irving, TX Rep) and Art Garcesa (North Dallas Rep) were at a rest stop on the 62 mile route. Riding today were subscribed members; Alan Trammell (Gainesville, TX Rep), Gerald Bolin (Garland, TX Rep), Jeff Postell, and Christine Saville. They were joined by Vicki Postell, Keenan Culpepper, Jimmy D, Idelfonso Valentin Acosta Jr., Jonathan Coen, Chad Meis, Randall Davis, Howard Shearer, Lorraine Shearer, Bertha Bolin, Eddie Lau, and many others.
We would like to thank Ken Reedy, Daniel Clanton, and the rest of the Denton Kiwanis and Turkey Roll Bicycle Rally staff for this opportunity to serve. We would also like to thank CrossRidge Church in Little Elm for donating 12 gallons of pickle juice for the ride.
As we close out the rally season, we thank the Lord for the many blessings He has given us in 2024.
Mark 16:15
And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. " NLT
16 November 2024 Monty Van Horn
This morning, Tammy Estes Van Horn made our favorite Waffles so we could get in some carbs before the bike ride. Ethan VanHorn was riding my bike since his is kaput. Jack Carmicheal Thompson arrived about 0930 and since we had everyone we left at about 0945. Of course I had to get a picture before we left. We stopped at the Pecan Grove Baptist church as usual. It's the half way point so that worked out good. We did stop at the Deyerle-Fall House which has been one of my points of interest stops for decades. It's a shame that no one is taking care of the place anymore. Then we headed in to McGregor to eat at Dairy Queen. Nicky Thompson and Reese Thompson met us there. The trip was 23 miles to Dairy Queen making it a 46 mile day. That makes it the longest ride Tammy has done. Whohoo. We stopped at a windmill for a photo op and then at Pecan Grove again. I talked with lots of ham friends on the radio today while riding. We showed off our medals after the ride. We were riding the virtual ride for the Waco Zoo for the third or fourth year in a row. Y'all enjoy, have a blessed night.
26 October 2024 - Farmersville, TX
Christian Cycling is very blessed to have been able to participate in the 2024 Farmersville Trick It Up Bike Ride. This ride benefits the Chamber of Commerce for the city of Farmersville and is considered by Christian Cycling Texas as a home court & home turf ride. Our local rep in Farmersville - Jim Boland joined the Trick-It-Up Ride leadership and volunteered as the cyclist liason. He did a great deal of work and advised the ride director and the Chamber to ensure cyclist safety came first and ensured proper markings of the routes. Jim also worked on the routes on this ride by making sure signs and directions are accurate and up to date. Joining Jim, was our one and only awesome Coach Bonnie Boland along with our Texas Spoke Director Pastor Monty Van Horn and Tammy Estes Van Horn
27 October 2024 - McKinney, TX
Christian Cycling Texas and Team Avaya was represented by David Bridgewater at the 2024 Tour de Cure Texas. We would like to thank David for representing us by raising $250 to help the American Diabetes Association. This ride raises awareness in the community about diabetes and supports life-saving research. We would also like to thank ride director Courtney Rayburn and the Tour de Cure Texas team for an awesome ride and pledge to contribute more in 2025.
14 October - Tyler, TX
It was a divide and counquer weekend for the Christian Cycling - Texas spoke.
Our Gatesville and North Dallas families were in in Duncanville for the 4th annual Pink Diamonds Breast Cancer Awareness Ride - our Abilene, TX reps Kathy Sutton and Lonnie Sutton (The Suttons) were in Tyler, TX for the Beauty and the Beast Bicycle Tour. Kathy and Lonnie were joined by our brother Jim Boland (Farmersville rep) and Coach Bonnie Boland. They rode the 36mile route. The following day, Jim rode the 37mile gravel route. We would like to give big thanks Jim for expanded our ministry into the Mountain Bike and Gravel Bike communities. We are very blessed to have the our members attend multiple events across the state on the same day. We give all the glory to the Lord and for all the blessings in being able to represent Christ and share His love to others.
13 October - Duncanville, TX - Christian Cycling Texas was very blessed to be able to participate in the 4th annual Pink Diamonds Breast Cancer Awareness Ride.
This is one of Christian Cycling - Texas's home court and home turf ride. We supported the ride with 2 rest stops along the routes and also a start/finish line full rest stop. The first rest stop was supported by Thomas Goes and his family (Irving rep). Thomas and family supported the 15 and 30mile routes. The 4th rest stop was supported by Art Garcesa and his family (Little Elm / North Dallas rep). Art and family supported the 30 and 50mile routes. The start and finish line stop was supported by Tammy & Ethan Van Horn.
Our spoke director Monty Van Horn rode the 30mile route along with our members. We would like to give special thanks to our brother Mark D Cooks and sister Karen Hodges who were the ride directors for the Pink Diamonds Breast Cancer Awareness Ride. Their hard work and dedication all througout this year paid off with the best and largest Pink Diamonds ride to date.
This ride and donations benefit the Pink Diamond Survivors of Cancer, Inc. which includes a health fair and cancer screening onsite. The health fair also drives health fair participants to offsite locations for cancer screening. Last year's health fair resulted in three cancer diagnosis.
We give all thanks and all the glory to the Lord for all the blessings of a great and successful ride.
