News: Biking for Babies launches local ride

August 10, 2021

Thirty four bike riders hit the trail in Ankeny with Biking for Babies on Aug. 7 to raise awareness of crisis pregnancy centers and raise funds for their effort.

Biking for Babies cofounder Jimmy Becker and Bishop William Joensen, cycling enthusiast, headed for Woodward on the local ride.

Biking for Babies began 12 years ago, and has since grown. A national ride Aug. 11-17 drew about 50 riders who started at one of four locations north, south, east and west, all converging in St. Louis. Bishop Joensen joined the last leg of that ride at Springfield, Illinois.

The prolife organization has three main goals: to build up the next generation of prolife missionaries, to build awareness of pregnancy resource centers and to raise financial support for those centers.

This year, the group decided to do local rides in seven communities, Becker said. In the future, it’s hoped the group will have a local ride in every state.

“By doing the local rides, we have the opportunity to achieve the goals that God set out for us to accomplish and get more families and communities involved on a local basis,” Becker said.

The Des Moines metro area cyclists could choose from three options: a five-mile, a 23-mile and a 48-mile ride, said organizer Peyton Dueling.

                Beneficiaries of the ride include Innervisions Healthcare, Agape Pregnancy Resource Center and Martha’s House of Hope.