In short, Ends of the Earth Cycling defines “youth” as the period in a young person’s life where they are making all of their most important life decisions. The age at which this happens is different in every country.
After 10+ years of working with youth ministries outside the USA, our definition of youth has expanded to meet a more realistic world view. While most 8 year olds in the USA are going to school and playing video games in the afternoons, the same age kid in Nicaragua is working the fields to support their family. In Nepal, by the age of 11, many girls are being trafficked into the brothels of India. In many countries in Africa, you are considered a “youth” until you are married or over the age of 30.
Globally, children are growing up faster and are having to make adult decisions sooner in their lives. For this reason, we have decided to throw out our definition of “youth” and allow each beneficiary to define what “youth” is in their country.
We believe that there is this period between childhood and maturity where a person is growing and developing in a unique way, where they are exploring who they are, what they want to do, who they want to love and who they want to follow. This beautiful time in one’s life is our definition of “YOUTH.”
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
Only a week’s worth of AWESOMENESS! Well, that and a few other things listed here. (on most tours)
Please see the Riders Handbook for more details.
We need SUPPORT STAFF for every bike tour. Our events could not be a success without our honored support staffers! Check out the Support Staff Roles.
Not at all. Ends Cycling sees countless ordinary people like yourself ride further than they ever imagined.
If you are looking to start riding to see if cycling is something you could do more of and don’t have a bike yet, we suggest you go to your local bike shop and ask to be properly sized for a bike. Once you know the size you would need for your body/build, you can purchase a used or new bike anywhere and start riding! Don’t feel like you have to purchase from that bike shop. There are great, affordable bikes out there that can get you started. Later, when you sign up for one of our events, we would recommend that you have a multi-speed bicycle.
No worries! Ends Cycling events are not a race. Training for the bike tour is important, but if you are gassed and can’t finish, you can hang your bike up on a bike rack and hop in the support vehicle (SAG) for as little or as long as you wish.
Each evening, we’ll have a corporate worship and testimony time together. Other down time can be spent making personal connections with those on the bike tour, or some may like to grab a guitar and play music. Others play board games or enjoy exploring the host cities. You can check out what others are saying about Ends Cycling events.
An experienced Team Leader will lead a team of 4-10 cyclists throughout the multi-day event. Riders will be grouped depending on their strengths and preferences. You are welcome to choose which team you wish to be in ahead of time. It’s our recommendation no one changes teams unless absolutely necessary. We would love for you to grow deep relationships with the people on your team. Your cycling team will start together, finishing together and stick together throughout each day.
Please Note: “Average” means over the course of a 60-80 mile day, the actual pedaling speed that your computer will read at the end of your ride (taking into account elevation). This means you will at times, be riding at 2-4mph above your actual “average” for the day.
Breakaway Group – Average Pace: over 19 miles per hour over flat land, 16 M.P.H. through hills
The Breakaway group likes to ride fast and push the pace. They will often be riding in a tight paceline together and taking short turns at the front in order to maximize everyone’s effort. If you regularly ride 30 miles or more with few to no stops and at a quick pace, this is probably the place for you. This group can expect a century (100 mile day) option on each EC tour (where applicable).
Pace Line Group – Average Pace: over 17 miles per hour over flat land, 14 M.P.H. through hills
The Paceline group rides together using the draft to benefit each other. They are riders that might not be “fast” but are steady and consistent. If you have group riding experience, consider yourself a mid-paced rider, and are willing to learn new skills, this is probably the group for you. This group can expect a century (100 mile day) option on each EC tour (where applicable).
Journey Lovers Group – Average Pace: over 15 miles per hour over flat land, 12 M.P.H. through hills
The Journey Lovers group likes to take breaks for pictures and will probably stop about every 30 minutes. They still ride together, but probably not in a consistently organized paceline. If the century option is not a high priority for you, you prefer a conversational pace, and usually make regular stops while riding, this is probably the group for you. This group may have the opportunity to complete a century(100 mile day) on an EC tour (where applicable).
“See Train” Group – Average Pace: 12 miles per hour over flat land, 10 M.P.H. through hills
This group likes to take it slow and easy, with stops around every 20 minutes. They ride together, but not in a paceline and with plenty of room for everyone to feel comfortable. If you have little experience riding in a group, are okay with not riding all the miles on longer days, and generally take lots of breaks when you ride, this is probably the group for you. This group should not expect to have the opportunity to complete a century (100 mile day) on an EC tour.
As a non-profit, federal laws / the IRS does not allow us to give refunds. If you have unforeseen circumstances that do not allow you to ride, we are willing to transfer your event registration payment to another Ends Cycling bike tour within the same calendar year. Rest assured, any donations raised will be used for global ministry. Any other expenses outside the registration payment (airline costs, travel expenses, equipment, etc.) are not covered and can not be transfered or reimbursed.
If you have already registered and need to back out of a bike tour, please contact NHaner@EndsCycling.com.
(New International makes every effort to honor preference of gifts given, and in accordance with IRS regulations, retains discretion and control over their use. In the unlikely event it is not able to be applied to the intended purpose, your gift will be applied where most needed.)
Absolutely. They just need to work out their own food, lodging and transportation. Please see our “Ends Cycling Policy” for additional vehicles / family vehicles / support staff located in the Rider’s Handbook for additional info. Riders handbooks can be found on our TOURS page, when they become available.
Many spouses/families participate together. For example, we have had one spouse cycle while the other does support staff, as well as whole families come and join us. Children 12 and under are FREE (unless otherwise noted – example: a Super Family Friendly type tour with kid activities, events, etc. that would have an aditional cost) and it is recomended that children under 15 participate as support staff. (Parents must be present for the entire week.)
As part of your registration fee, we provide you with high quality photos (when possible) of the event. These will be uploaded to Google Drive and a link provided to you after the bike tour is complete. The photos are owned by New International / Ends of the Earth Cycling® but we want you to freely use them as you see fit! Enjoy!
No, most types of bicycles are acceptable. With that said, you will be riding approximately 300 miles, so having a decent bike does make a big difference. Bikes can be rented for the bike tour through local bike shops if needed. Tandem and recumbent bikes are welcome. (You may need to bring your own vehicle or trailer to transport your tandem or recumbent bike.)
As a Cyclist, we provide you with a sweet custom cycling jersey by Primal Wear. We highly recommend wearing your new Ends of the Earth Cycling jersey the first and last day of the bike tour. Wearing your Ends Cycling jersey every day honors our partners well.
While on tour, our Support Staff loves to serve you by washing all of your cycling clothing every night with fragrance / dye free soaps. There’s one stipulation, you have to take your jersey/shorts/etc and get them in the laundry-bin by 1 hour after the last cyclist arrives. For example, if the SEE Train group rolls in at 1pm, the laundry bin will be closed at 2pm. If you do not get your gear in on time, you’ll have to wash it yourself.
We want to challenge you with a pledge of $1000. This money is vital as it has a direct impact on youth around the world.
God has worked through Ends Cycling to leverage resources for things like clean water, alleviation of hunger, prevention of human trafficking, global youth ministry training, and lives transformed for His glory. See our cycling tours page for specific details.
In order to be tax-deductible, contributions toward a project MUST be handled as follows:
Online donations can be made on our website (at the top of this page) by clicking on the DONATE button. At this point you can select which bike tour you wish to donate to. Fill out the donation/financial information and enter the particapant’s name in the NOTES field.
You can also give by mail. Checks should be made payable to: New International (formerly New Mission Systems International) and sent to:
New International
Attn: Ends Cycling
2701 Cleveland Av. Ste. 200
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Please include participants name and the project name on the memo line of the check so that it can be credited toward their pledge. (Example: John Doe – Key West Bike Ride (KWBR))
90% of all money donated to New International is applied toward impacting youth for the specified project. The other 10% helps to fund the admin costs of our parent organization, New International. Should reasons beyond their control prevent the participant from going, received funds will still be used for the project. *
*New International makes every effort to honor preference of gifts given, and in accordance with IRS regulations, retains discretion and control over their use. In the unlikely event it is not able to be applied to the intended purpose, your gift will be applied where most needed.
As a non-profit, federal laws / the IRS does not allow us to give refunds. If you have unforeseen circumstances that do not allow you to ride, we are willing to transfer your event registration payment to another Ends Cycling bike tour within the same calendar year. Rest assured, any donations raised will be used for global ministry. Any other expenses outside the registration payment (airline costs, travel expenses, equipment, etc.) are not covered in this policy and can not be transfered or reimbursed.
(New International makes every effort to honor preference of gifts given, and in accordance with IRS regulations, retains discretion and control over their use. In the unlikely event it is not able to be applied to the intended purpose, your gift will be applied where most needed.)
In short, no… The biggest thing is that when someone makes a donation, they are usually wanting the Not-for-Profit documentation to use towards their taxes at the end of the year. When someone makes a donation towards your pledge, we certainly provide that to them on your behalf. When you begin telling the story of why you are riding, most people will donate because the money will be having a direct impact on youth around the world.
What we don’t want is to have participants work really hard to tell their story, raise funds and have those funds go toward registration fees and plane tickets, then, not be able to ride, because they were not able to raise their pledge amount. These funds (pledge / donations) are really important because they will have a direct impact on youth around the world.
If you know someone personally, that is not concerned with getting a tax receipt and knows that the money will not be going towards Global Youth Ministry and wants to help you personally, you can do that. We would rather you tell the story of why you are riding and have people donate towards your pledge. That way, there are no complications later when people are wondering where their donations have gone. We are not able to reimburse you funds (per Federal guidelines) so that you can purchase airfare and hotel costs. Thanks for your understanding.
At Ends of the Earth Cycling, we want you to know where your donations are going and how they are being used. 90% of all funds/donations go directly toward impacting youth around the world in Jesus name! The other 10% helps to fund the admin costs for our parent organization, New International; a not-for-profit.
None of the Ends of the Earth Cycling Crew, team members or support staff take any salary or compensation from our cycling tours. The Ends Cycling Crew members are missionaries that raise their own support through churches and individuals like yourselves. You can donate to our crew.
Ends of the Earth Cycling is a ministry of New International and is accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and rated by Charity Navigator (Four stars!).
For further accountability, all donations stay stateside. Funds will be released to our partner/beneficiaries oversees after they have submitted specific proposals that will impact Global Youth Ministry.
God has worked through Ends Cycling to leverage resources for things like clean water, alleviation of hunger, prevention of human trafficking, global youth ministry training, and lives transformed for His glory.
In short, we do not recommend using external crowdfunding sites.
At Ends of the Earth Cycling, we have created a system by which people can support your ride that has worked for many years. With the help of New International’s Finance Department, all of your donors have access to give online, thrrough the mail, etc. and they are provided with accurate and timely receipt(s) for their giving, which is tax-deductible.
We want to do everything we can to position you for faithfulness to your fundraising pledge. For this reason, we do not recommend the use of external giving webpage(s) such as GoFundMe. The reason for this is because we believe in accountability, transparency, integrity and accuracy when it comes to Finances. Creating a separate webpage does not give us the opportunity to provide YOUR donors with the proper receipt for their generous gifts. In addition, online giving sites, while they are trendy and look nice, also take a % of your donor’s gifts. Finally, in the event that you do not do the bike tour with us, we want to make sure that your donors gifts still go to the cause that we are riding for.
Required:
Recommended:
We recommend that you pack your stuff in a regular suitcase or travel bag with your name/luggage tag on it. We will provide you with a draw-string bag marked with name, to put any personal items such as medications, special snacks, spare inner tubes, shrimp cocktail, sunscreen, etc., that can be placed in your support vehicle and will be accessible throughout the day during rest stops.
Sorry, many of our host churches do not want Dogs, Cats, Hamsters, Bearded Dragons, Hedgehogs, Flying Squirrels, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, or other pets in their facilities.
The only exception to this would be official service animals.
We are an active bicycling community impacting youth globally. We give people who want to change the world opportunities to use cycling to bring the hope of the Gospel to global youth through multi-day, Christ-centered bicycling tours.
New International
Attn: Ends of the Earth Cycling
2701 Cleveland Ave. #200
Fort Myers, FL 33901
