Chuck Buck

I made it to Prescott Arizona today. Fun stuff. It was a great ride the last couple of days. Well, we are having fun here. Today there was a road race going on. I think it was called the “Rangar Relay”. It is a 202 mile running race. They have teams of 12 that run constantly for 202 miles. Crazy. So today I was passing runners the whole time. I love other exercisers. They are always yelling how good you are doing. So much fun. Anyways, got here and went to dinner with Pastor Steve. We went to a great banquet. It was all wild game. I ate buffalo, elk, javalina, and mountain lion. So awesome. Then they had a great speaker named Chuck Buck. I know its a funny sounding name, but he is the president of Buck Knives. Such a great speaker. I ate soooooooo much meat. I am feeling great right now. So I am off to bed. Tomorrow I am getting up and going mountain biking in Sedona. This is beautiful country. You should check it out if you get a chance.

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Tired and another unexpected service

So I haven’t blogged in a few days. We were up in the mountains and didn’t have great cell coverage for updates. We are still in the midst of this, but have decent coverage tonight, so I am updating. Also just posted a new video from Joshua Tree. Such an awesome place. You have to go there if you ever get a chance. Yesterday I had a really long ride. You can tell I was tired at the end of the day by the pic. We were coming into Parker Arizona....thats right....we are in our second state of the tour. I went by Grace Assembly of God in Parker looking for a place to park Gerty last night, when the youth pastor (Jonathan) asked me to speak tonight. So crazy. That is four times that I didn’t have a service set up but have still spoke. God has his own agenda and timeline for this tour I guess. So today Blaise and I went out to eat with Jonathan, and his wife Tara. Had some good mole’....I love good mexican food. The service went great. Thanks for the hospitality Grace. Had a good time hanging out with some of the students after the service too. Anyways. We are off to Prescott tomorrow. Although I wont make it there till Friday. Tomorrow may not have good reception again....so don’t count on another update for a couple days. Thanks for all the support guys and gals. Couldn’t do it without you all.

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You have the right to remain silent

I had a long day today. Got up and had to fix Gerty. She had a broken pipe in the kitchen area. So I spent a lot of time working on her. Had to go to the bank too. So I didn’t leave Carlsbad as early as I would have liked. But I finally hit the road and took off. The ride was good, although I still had to deal with some pretty strong uphills. I made it to the middle of nowhere. Not sure what town I am in, but I am currently writing you from a post office parking lot. When we got here, there was a cop named Brian. Really nice guy. He told us we could park here for the nite. Then he took out his laptop and started showing me different routes I could take tomorrow. He was freaked that I was still riding when I was. It had been dark for an hour before I stopped. So I was riding through really narrow mountain roads in the dark. I have lights on the bike, but he was really surprised. Anyways. I am tired and going to bed. Talk to you more tomorrow.

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Beautiful ride....goodbye pacific

Today was the best ride of the tour so far. Gorgeous riding up the coast of California. Rode through Torrey Pines, and Del Mar, all the way to Carlsbad where I am at tonight. Blaise and I had to get stocked up. You see, tomorrow we head out toward Arizona. On the way we are spending quite a bit of time in areas with no cell coverage. I will update blogs, facebook, myspace, and the website as often as possible, but we may not be able do it everyday. And these areas don’t always have great stores. So we bought about 15 gallons of water, a bunch of food, and a couple lawn chairs for camping. Should be a long, but cool week. Hope you stick around even when I cant update it. Talk to you soon.

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Epic....and 16 enchiladas

Had a good day yesterday. Had a service in San Diego at First AG and their youth group called Epic. It was a blast. Every service seems to be getting better than the last. So much fun. After the service Craig (the youth leader), Blaise, Tiffany (an old friend of mine), and I went to On The Border. This mexican food joint. So good. They have an all you can eat enchilada special going on. I ate 16. I was 2 off of the the record, when they shut down the kitchen. I would have beat the old record too. I was still hungry. Anyways, we are hanging out at Chad’s for one more day before hitting the road toward Prescott, Arizona. I think we are gonna go through Joshua Tree Park and camp out on the way, and go near the grand canyon. Should make for some good footage and pics. Awesome.

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San Diego with Chad

Had a good evening last night. Went to Hollywood and shot some footage for a video. Should be posting it soon. It was a blast. Headed out of LA this morning and rode down to San Diego. We are staying at an old friend named Chad Furlong’s house. He is writer/speaker/evangelist kind of guy. Sort of a jack of all trades. My kind of guy. We had a great time hanging with his family at dinner. Then he took Blaise and I downtown San Diego to a little cafe. It is so great to sit around and have a genuine conversation about God. We sat in this gazebo up on the second level all by ourselves for a couple hours and just talked about God, and what He has meant in our lives. We all go though good times and bad. Chad has been going through some crazy stuff in his life lately, but it is so meaningful when you can walk through hard times knowing that you are not in control. Talking with Chad tonight made me realize that even when you go through hard times and life gets in the way that you have to keep moving toward the goal that God gives us. That is, to keep moving towards a more real, deeper relationship that is yours....and no one else’s. Thanks for the inspiration Chad. Oh, and Nicole (Chad’s wife) makes a mean hummus. I love hummus. And they have two adorable girls too. Just a great night.

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My new friends in LA

We had an awesome time in LA. Last night I spoke at Desert Reigns in Downey. It was a blast. Got to meet a lot of great students. A couple of fave’s, but they were all great. Afterwards I talked to Arnold. He leads worship for their youth group (Deeper Impact). The worship was awesome. So I talked with him for a while. Got to tell him about some other worship music that he hadn’t heard before. I will tell you that Blaise and me both thought the worship was great. Not because it was necessarily the best music. But because of the passion that Arnold and the team had for worship. It showed through. It goes to show you that God isn’t looking for the best....He is looking for the willing. I am not the best biker in the world, but I am willing and God is using it. That is not to say that Arnold and his team were bad though....because they rocked hard. AWESOME WORSHIP. Afterwards they took us to Red Robin. I got a “Hunk A Burning Love” burger. So good. Today one of the youth leaders named Rusty took us to a bike shop. I needed some gear. Then we went Hometown Buffet. I rocked out that place. 7 plates of food yo. Bring it on. Tomorrow we head to San Diego and I get to see an old friend, Chad Furlong. Should be a good time. Oh, I just posted a short video of me riding over a mountain pass. So much fun. Check it out.

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Up and down the mountains

Sorry, I haven’t been able to update everything. Our internet card broke, and I cant get a new one till Tuesday. For now, I am at a wireless hotspot updating everything. Just posted a new video too, so go check it out. Today I am riding the rest of the way into L.A. It has been a crazy few days. Ended up speaking at two different churches that I didn’t expect to. This pic is from one of the mountains I went up and over in the last couple of days. So awesome. Hard work though.

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$3500 and a pie in the face....thanks Bakersfield

Had a late night last night and couldn’t blog. We had an awesome service in Bakersfield last nite. We were at Canyon Hills Church and spoke to Atmosphere and Ozone youth. Such a good time. Probably around 250 students, all psyched about missions. After the service Pastor Robin presented me with a check for Speed The Light for $3500. So awesome. In less than 5 weeks this youth group has raised more than most will all year. Nice job guys. Afterwards I had a contest to play in. I met a girl named Mary-Kate (no relation to Ashley). She told me I couldn’t tell the difference between actual PopTarts and the cheap Toaster Pastries from Walmart. I said I could. The prize to the loser was a pie in the face. Well I won, but couldn’t let Mary-Kate take a pie....so I took one for the team. So gross. It was all oily and sticky. But it tasted good. Then Blaise and I went to dinner with Pastor JC. I love Jack In The Box. They have the best taco’s. Had a really good time talking about life and ministry over cheap tacos. So good. Anyways. I will blog tonight too. Since I didn’t blog last night, you get two for one today. Bon’a’petit!!!

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Camping in Visalia

It feels like I am at summer camp. Blaise and me are staying at Santos’ house. He is putting in a new transmission in Gerty. So we are staying at his house while he works on the ol gal. We get to stay in a room with a bunk bed. So it feels like summer camp. Blaise gets the bottom and I am on the top bunk. It is awesome having a real bed for a couple nights. If you get a chance to look in Gerty then you will see why this makes me happy. My bed has a shelf covering over half of it. So I sleep on sort of a taco of a bed most of the time. It is nice having the ability to turn over and stretch out. Oh, the depths I go to bring BFTL to the world. Blaise and me had a good day. Slept in. Took showers. Did laundry. Went to lunch with Dallas (the youth pastor here in Visalia). Have just been having a blast relaxing for a day before I have to bicycle over the Grapevine mountains. Craziness. If any of you have connections in San Diego, Las Vegas, or Phoenx.....let me know....we still need services in those cities.

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Gerty is getting a makeover

She is such a great RV. Trust me she is so cozy inside. Blaise, Baracus, and me are becoming closer than ever. So today was a little weird to take a bunch of our stuff out of her so she could get worked on. She is getting a few things done to her, most notably, getting a new transmission. So awesome. We are in Visalia, and a our new buddy Santos from Visalia First Assembly owns the shop that is doing all the work. Not only is he blessing us with the work to Gerty, but me and Blaise are staying at his house too. So fun. God is so faithful. If you know God is calling you to do something, just go for it. He will take care of you no matter what happens. So Blaise and I are sitting on some really comfy couches, and Baracus is in the back yard running like a crazy beast. Being couped up in the tiny RV makes him have too much energy. Love you guys, and send up a prayer of blessing for Santos and his family. While your at it, send one up for Mark and Harry who helped us out with new bike wheels last week too.

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Drinking a shake in Bakersfield

Life has been a bit crazy. Had a great service today in Bakersfield. Afterwards I got an awesome Carl’s Jr. Oreo shake. So good. So far I have been able to speak to around 2,000 people, and raised around $3,000 for missions.....in only a week. Sup boy? Cmon....that is awesome. So anyways, in the morning, me and Blaise are heading to Visalia to get a new transmission put in Gerty. Should be a fun little trip for a couple days, then we head back to Bakersfield to speak again on Wednesday before heading to L.A. Talk atcha soon.

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Life on the road with Gerty

Not sure where we are....bout 40 miles north of Bakersfield. Have rode about 300+ miles so far. I am extremely tired. Had a good day, but it was freezing cold and rainy all day. So when I finally got finished I was so stinking tired. For dinner I made me and Blaise some Chili Mac. A whole batch of mac n cheese and a big ol can chili mixed together. So good. Had a couple honey buns too. Yay. Took a really long shower. Called Sarah. Now I am lying in bed writing a blog while me and Blaise watch Jericho on dvd. Such a good show. Well I am off to bed now....just trying to warm up.

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Holla at me Visalia

So I am in Visalia. This cool little town at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Has a bunch of great people, and awesome food. I spoke at youth group 419 last night. It was a blast. The students are having a great time writing on Gerty with how they want to Fill In The Blank. It was so much fun. I got to try one of those weird skateboards with only two rollerblade wheels on swivels....I don’t remember what they are called, but it was a blast. Only fell once. Anyways, I am gonna be riding to Bakersfield tomorrow, fun stuff. If you have watched my video’s then you know that I can eat a ton. But it always seems to surprise people....especially youth pastors that I meet. Yesterday when I got here Adam and Dallas (the youth pastors at Visalia First A/G) took me and Blaise out to Chili’s. I love going there for their all you can eat soup and salad. I have gotten the record at many Chili’s, but really outdid myself yesterday. It was great watching the eyes of Dallas and Adam as I ate 15 bowls of soup and a couple salads. Then just a few hours later they took us to In-N-Out burger (awesome awesome awesome....but still not as good as Whataburger) and decided to see if I could eat a 10x10. That is ten quarter pound patties with ten pieces of cheese and 6 pieces of bread. For those that can’t add....that is 40 ounces....2 1/2 pounds.....of beef. I ate it all surprising everyone....then freaked em out more when I kept on eating other peoples fries. Such a great day. You guys in Visalia....especially you students at 419.....rock. Great times

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Sorry...I was tired

Didn’t blog last night. Sorry bout that. I was stinkin tired. Made it over a couple mountains. Climbing 1500 feet doesn’t seem like a lot in a car, but on a bike it can be brutal. God is preparing me for the bigger mountains to come. Grapevine mountains next week. Crazy. Well I am sitting on the floor in the lobby at 4:19 (the youth group for Visalia First Assembly). Had lunch with Dallas and Adam (the youth pastors) at Chili’s today. I had the all you can eat soup and salad. Beat my record. 15 bowls of soup. Fun stuff. Well I gotta finish getting ready. I preach in less than an hour. Talk to you later.

PS new video tonight....yay!!!

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San Francisco to Hollister

Got up this morning so tired. Was up late last night getting all the bikes ready to head out. Had breakfast with Pastor Mike from Calvary. Then headed up to the Golden Gate Bridge. I actually got to ride across the thing. So awesome. Then I biked through downtown San Francisco. Those hills are a blast to go down, and if you know me, then you know I love uphills too. So I was in hog heaven. Actually got up to 50+ mph on a downhill today. Nice stuff. We are parked at a church in Hollister California (which I have been informed has nothing to do with the store). Had dinner with a bunch of teens from the church and a couple parents. It was an awesome Lasagna. Then Tessa, the youth pastor from the church, made an incredible cake (chocolate and bananas) so stinkin awesome. Had a really fun time talking with everyone. Here is a pic of everyone. I plan on getting up early and knocking out 100+ miles tomorrow. Will be posting a new video tomorrow too. Thanks for the support and help guys. Have a good one.

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Calvary & New Wheels

Had great first service of the tour. At Calvary Christian Center in Alameda. It was stinking awesome. Had a ton of people really get excited about STL and missions. Also had a bunch of people sign Gerty today. She looks so good with writing all over her. She loves the attention I think. Then after the service I had a couple of guys from the church help us out. Thank you so much Harry and Mark for all your help. We now have wheels for all our bikes. So great to have that taken care of. It is amazing to look back on a week ago and see what has happened in the last 7 days. Broken bumper, broken tranny, broken wheels (8 wheels); now it is all good and I start riding tomorrow. We haven’t had good reception to update videos. I have 3 that I am trying to upload. Will get them up as soon as possible. Tomorrow morning I start riding at fishermen’s wharf. Then I get to ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. So awesome. Anyways, be sure to go fill in the blank. Love you guys. Thanks for all the prayers and support.

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New Bumper

So today we got our bumper re-welded onto Gerty. We are in Alameda California. That is where they film a lot of the Mythbusters stuff. I actually got to go see the Naval base that they do a lot of their testing. Anyways, we have a service at Calvary Christian Center in the morning. It is gonna be an awesome time. Today though, the senior pastor (Pastor Mike), set me up with a welder from the church. He was named Mike too. I want to give a huge thank you to Mike the welder. He did such an awesome job grinding, welding, cutting, and fixing up Gerty’s bumper. Now I am sitting at the church in Gerty. She has all the bikes on her rack on the bumper once again. I am so happy. Me and Blaise have had to deal with 4 broken bikes and a giant bumper in the middle of Gerty. Every nite we have had to pull everything out and chain it to the mirror on the side of the RV. Tomorrow I get to watch the Superbowl at Pastor Mikes house. Should be a good time. Oh, and I am posting a new video soon too. Actually gonna have two videos really soon. Thanks for your support.

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Baracus is awesome

I am so glad my dog Baracus is here with me and Blaise. It has been a blast having him around. He is having a blast too. Everyone loves him and he is getting more attention than ever. He gets to play with other dogs everywhere we go. Just love having a friend like that with me. I mean, I have had him for 5 1/2 years, and would have hated to not have him around for 8 months. You know, it is amazing how a true friend can give you strength. If you are trying to do something hard, whether its biking across the country or raising money for Speed The Light, it is always hard to do it alone. So I challenge you to not only Fill In The Blank, but to get a friend to join you in your quest. Get a partner.

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