Andy Humbles

ahumbles@tennessean.com

Pastor Greg Locke of Mt. Juliet's Global Vision Bible Church will do a lot to get attention for a cause he believes in, but a bike ride in August will be his biggest challenge yet.

Locke will leave July 13 for a 3,020-mile bicycle ride to California. He plans to ride 20 hours a day — that's right, 20 hours — and hopes to make it across the country in 10 days.

"We're known for doing some outlandish things for the community, and this year the church is in need, so I said 'The biggest thing (I've) ever attempted is going to be for you guys,' " Locke said. "The biggest concern is sleep deprivation. You can train to ride, but you can't train for sleep deprivation. But it's the only way to do it in 10 days."

Locke, 38, will ride with associate pastor Jarrod Almond driving a truck with supplies and a mattress.

The goal is to raise $50,000 to help Global Vision expand its building. The church averages around 350 members with a building on Old Lebanon Dirt Road.

"He's always had a very fervent spirit," Almond said. "He's never been sports-minded, but anything he does, he throws himself into wholeheartedly."

Locke took up cycling about a year ago to take a group trip of about 800 miles through three states to raise money for victims of sex trafficking.

"A lot of times people look at pastors as a guy behind a plush desk in an air-conditioned office," Locke said. "I'd love to get the attention of the world and mostly our community that we love you and we're willing to get out of the box and do some crazy things to prove that."

Reach Andy Humbles at 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @AndyHumbles.

The trip

Greg Locke's route will be mainly on bicycle-recommended roads and will start at the Natchez Trace Parkway. It will take Locke through Natchez, Miss.; and include Louisiana; Texas; New Mexico; Arizona; San Diego; and finally to Los Angeles. After a day of rest, Locke plans to speak at a church in Los Angeles before flying back home.

To help

For information or to donate visit www.epic14.com.