Kevin W. Bounds

This week marked another step in my preparation for the Key West Bike Ride 2026 with Ends of the Earth Cycling. At the beginning of the week my pastoral responsibilities took precedent, so I had to fit in some intentional back-to-back rides starting Thursday. Every mile is a part of a larger journey, one that allows me to use my bicycle as a platform to support youth ministry in Bulgaria through Josiah Venture.

Over the course of the week, I completed three rides for a total of 106.95 miles and 7:57:47 in the saddle. Overall, the week felt strong. Some days my legs responded well, and other days required patience and restraint. Training for a long ride like Key West is as much about consistency and wisdom as it is about effort.

Better Late than Never

The first ride of the week took place on Thursday and simply focused on saddle time. I covered 33.23 miles in 2:15:28. Early on, I noticed my legs being sluggish, but by the end of the ride they were responding. The biggest take away from this ride was that life happens, so sometimes you must go with it.  

Longest Ride this Week

The second ride was on Friday and emphasized zone 2 endurance. I rode 53.65 miles over rolling terrain in 4:00:00. I rolled through Ambrose, GA, passing by a store front where in 2009 my family planted a church. Then I traveled to Douglas by way of Sinkhole Road. Once in Douglas, I grabbed a grilled chicken sandwich with a fruit cup on the side from Chick Fila. After lunch, I turned north and headed back home. Mentally, this ride was a chance to get in some decent miles for the week, and it reinforced the importance of consistency as the training volume slowly builds.

Shortest Ride this Week

The final ride for this week was the shortest. Taking place on Saturday around noon, this gravel ride totaled 20.1 miles and lasted 1:42:19. This ride reminded that endurance is built over time and that all the previous rides play a key role in long-term preparation.

Conclusion

Reflecting on the week, a few lessons stood out. First, flexibility matters. Faithfulness sometimes looks like adapting when plans change rather than forcing ideal conditions. Second, consistency is more important than perfection; showing up and riding steady miles builds more than chasing one standout effort. And finally, training is never just physical. Time in the saddle has a way of shaping patience, humility, and trust in the process. Training has a way of exposing not only physical limits but also attitudes of the heart. These rides continue to remind me that faithfulness in small, ordinary efforts often leads to meaningful growth over time.

Looking ahead to next week, the focus will be on structured endurance and steady progression. The plan is to add intentional saddle time without forcing volume, while remaining attentive to recovery and sustainability. The goal isn’t just to accumulate miles, but to build a foundation that will carry me all the way to Key West.

If you’d like to support my Key West ride financially, your gift directly contributes to youth ministry in Bulgaria through Josiah Venture. Every donation helps transform miles into gospel impact. Thank you for partnering with me through prayer, encouragement, and generosity.

#praypedalrepeat #prayserverepeat #kwbr2026