Bike To Build Scheduled for Saturday, May 3!

Organizers and cycling enthusiasts are gearing up for Habitat for Humanity of Scotland County’s 4th annual Bike to Build bicycle tour.   The multi-route tour of Scotland County is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2008.

The planning committee is pushing for an even larger turnout than last year’s event, which drew more than 140 riders and raised more than $30,000.

“May 2008 will be our 5th annual Bike to Build event. The four routes are very well marked and ride support (SAG) is provided,” says Vic Celadon, Chairman of the Bike to Build committee.  “We’ve set up a great web site, simplified the registration process, are offering group discounts, and have added an incentive for families to ride.  Check out our online auction too.”

In addition, event organizers are attracting riders and promoting Scotland County through careful route design.  Riders will pass by several historic Civil War sites as well as St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College, the scenic Lumber River, and Cypress Bend Vineyards.

The purpose of the bicycle tour, apart from drawing visitors to the most notable parts of the county, is to raise funds and awareness for Habitat for Humanity of Scotland County.  To date Habitat has built 34 homes in partnership with families in need here in Scotland County.

Executive Director Susan Covington said, a typical Habitat house in Scotland County costs about $65,000. Last year we built an ADA compliant, fully handicap accessible home which cost $82,000. This year, we plan to build a new home store and office building to allow us to build more homes per year for families in need.

The tour features four distinct routes for riders of all ages and skill levels, including a 100 kilometer route for experienced riders and three shorter routes (32 miles, 21 miles and 10 miles). 

“We enjoyed seeing families bicycling together last year,” Celadon says. “We hope that the 10-mile, Wee Tour will attract parents with young children to come out and ride together.” We will also have an onsite short course for tricycles! Again, this year, we plan to provide on-site, supervised children's activities so parents can enjoy one of our tour routes, and feel confident their child/children are safely supervised.

We are providing showers (for non-local riders) so that riders & their families can relax and enjoy local restaurants, shop downtown, and enjoy sight-seeing opportunities after the event.

The tour will begin in the parking lot of the Scotland Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Center.  The Circle of Scotland ride (100k) will begin at 8:30 a.m. with all other rides beginning at 9 a.m. 

Early Bird registration prior to May 1st is $25 per individual or $20 per person for teams of four or more people.  Each registered participant receives a free T Shirt, a cue sheet with detailed route directions and historical information, rest stops, snacks and SAG support. Colored arrows are painted on the roads, and each of the 4 routes are represented by a different color. Refreshments are provided at all rest stops and after riding.

For more information or advance registration information visit www.biketobuild.org or contact the Habitat office at 910-276-3337, or at info@biketobuild.org.

Habitat is an ecumenical, Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing in Scotland County by building houses in partnership with families in need.