ChristianCycling History

“In the Beginning…”

In 1986, combining the passions of a love for Jesus Christ and the bicycle into a viable ministry were brought to fruition by three people: Marlen and Marilyn Wells, and a pastor friend, Ken Evans.

The need was seen during the World Cycling Championships at Colorado Springs. Many cyclists were there, watching an exciting yet rainy day of racing. What if the bike could be used as a tool for Jesus Christ? The vision for the International Christian Cycling Club was born. They put together a flier, printed T-shirts, and hit the bike paths.

The Wells were based in Canada, Ken in Denver. The trio would spread the word through bike rides, cycling friends, churches, and rides alone. When making a contact, Marlen would memorize the prefix of the interested person’s phone number, Marilyn the suffix. The club was growing.

“And God said, let there be…” (Spokes!)

Soon, there were a group of riders in a particular geographic area that wanted their own little chapter, which soon became “spokes.” Indiana, Toronto, Vancouver, Colorado had the first IC3 spokes. Each spoke developed their own “flavor”, whether it was road, recreational, touring or other.

“Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.”

Marlen and Marilyn relocated to Denver in the early 90’s and continued the ministry. Different avenues of cycling were being met: racing, recreational, track. Some high profile riders like Tour de France rider Mike Carter, World Champion Peg Maass, several regional elite riders, and even current HealthNet professional racer Jason Lokkesmore were wearing the IC3 colors.

“Run in such a way as to get the prize.”

During 1992 – 1995, IC3 fielded an elite women’s team; “ICCC/Team Ultimate”. The team consisted of Wells, Kim Morrow, Peg Maass, Brenda Brashears, and junior US World rider Cody Douglas (now Cody Newcome). They traveled the women’s elite circuit, and making a Christian presence in the cycling community. In 1994, “ICCC/Team Ultimate” member Kim Morrow won the Women’s Master’s World Championship in Austria. Teammate Peg Maass (now a cycling coach in Vancouver, BC) was brought to Christ through the IC3 ministry. She recalls that since she was constantly on the road competitively, she didn’t meet people who went to church. So in 1988 in San Jose during a mountain bike ride, she turned her whole life over to Christ.

“…He gave them the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder.”

IC3 spokes continued to come and go, based on membership and adequate leadership. In all, over 26 states and four countries have had IC3 spokes at one time. IC3 also is referred to as the “Wheels of Thunder”. The disciples James and John were called the “Son’s of Thunder” because they were so forceful in their testimony for Jesus. This name expresses our desire to be used by God to witness through our interest in cycling.

“As iron sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another.”

1995 was a watershed year for IC3. Mountain biking was continuing to gather steam since the first World Championships in 1990. Member Tim Lagerborg brought a new vision and soon mountain biking was an immediate integral part of the IC3 vision. The mountain bike arm of the club was dubbed “Team Ironclad”, based on Proverbs 27:17. It made a significant impact on the regional mountain bike scene. Member Brett Lindstrom remembers hearing from another elite rider saying that, “since Ironclad has been around, the spirit of the races has changed.” A positive Christian influence was being noticed in mysterious ways!

“Give to Caesar what is Caeser’s and to God what is God’s.”

In late 1996, IC3 completed a process to attain 501C3 tax exempt status through the Internal Revenue Service. After 15 years in the ministry, Marlen and Marilyn Wells took a well-needed break from the ministry in 2000. Transition was difficult but eventually IC3 got on its feet and was growing again. At the time of this writing (January, 2005), the club has close to 500 members and 10 spokes around North America.

“There different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.”

Currently IC3 staffs one part time administrator and is headed by a diverse volunteer board of directors from around the country. The club is run by nominal membership fees and tax exempt donations from individuals. Spokes are encouraged to support the local cycling community and make a presence for Jesus Christ in their area. Individual members are encouraged to do the same.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…”

IC3 continues to serve mountain, road and track riding, recreational, touring and competitive, and other interested peripherally interested people. Some people just join the club to assist in a Christian ministry. The bicycle remains a tool to meet the purposes of IC3 . IC3 is a Member of the, USA Cycling, NORBA, IMBA, LAB and NCNA.

What has made IC3 continue to be an integral part of the cycling community? It seems to stem from the two purposes of the club, which are:

1. To unite Christian cyclists for a worldwide testimony in lifestyle, training, and sportsmanship, and

2. To expose each cyclist to the love and peace of Jesus Christ, so he/she may want to have a relationship with Him.

“The Lord gives strength to His people , and the Lord blesses His people with peace.”

God’s favor has been upon the club through good years and lean years to reach people who may otherwise never be exposed to Christianity and Christians. IC3 may not be the tool God uses to lead people to a personal salvation-although there have been some members who have made a decision for Christ because of the club- but rather lead people toward the Light in their search for spiritual meaning.

IC3 reaches people through members on solo or group rides, outreach events like a weekend stage race or a 24 Hours type race, pasta feeds to cyclists, chapel services at IC3 sponsor events, doing courtesy patrol on a tour, or any number of ways. IC3 continues to “roll on” to finding a niche to reach people for Christ.