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Riders' Mettle Lets Them Pedal Across Nation for a Good Cause

Posted on: Saturday, 25 June 2005, 18:00 CDT

FREMONT, Neb. -- Some have Yale degrees in subjects like English.

Others have never set foot in the Midwest and snicker at words like tractor.

But they all have farmer's tans in varying shades of red and can chow down 6,000 calories like nobody's business.

And all 23 of these college kids biked to Nebraska as part of a coast-to-coast ride to raise money and awareness for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that builds houses for low- income families.

The "Habitat Bike Challenge" has already raised more than $300,000 for a Connecticut Habitat chapter. Two other groups are traveling this summer, making for a total of 90 riders. Each rider was required to collect at least $4,000, a dollar for each mile they will bike in nine weeks.

Now, the group focuses on raising awareness by giving presentations and helping out at three Habitat work sites. During a stop in Ames, Iowa, they helped raise three walls on a home.

Along the way, they rely on local hospitality for a place to eat, shower and sleep before hopping back on their bikes at the crack of dawn. A typical day means seven to eight hours on the bike, at least nine bottles of water or sports drink each, a granola bar an hour and trekking at least 75 miles.

Before rolling into the parking lot at Salem Lutheran Church here early Thursday afternoon, the group rode about 80 miles with temperatures in the 90s and the wind blowing hard.

But they were greeted by a churchful of volunteers preparing barbecue meatballs, baked beans, lasagna, potato salad and numerous sugary desserts.

Fremont hosted a group of riders last year and was excited to help out again this year, said Karen Melang, executive director of the Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity.

Diana Kuhl, a life-long Salem member and now employee, bused the riders to the YMCA to shower before their busy night, which was to include a bike safety workshop for children, potluck dinner and slideshow presentation about Habitat.

"I thought they would be exhausted," said Kuhl, of the lively riders. "I kept asking them, 'Aren't you guys exhausted?'"

The riders replied that they are slowly getting used to the long days.

"We're all rookies," said Stephen Kappa, who will be a junior political science major at Yale this fall.

So, it's not uncommon for bikers to get lost. The tally of flat tires is high -- one rider alone has gotten 17. There's the risk of dehydration and sunstroke. And they all have their share of bruises and scrapes.

Still, their list of funny stories far outweighs the number of "learning experiences."

They met the actual Village People at a casino in Iowa. They received a random $100 donation from a man identified only as "Kenny the Junkman." And they climbed up a haystack with their bikes for the perfect photo -- there was even a tractor nearby for added country flair.

The group can track its travels on the map painted on the side of a blue trailer featuring the statement: "Pedaling 4,000 miles to help end poverty."

But Kevin Abels, a recent Yale grad, marks progress by his growing pile of memento postcards. Not only has this been a chance to help a good cause, the 22-year-old said. It's a chance to see the entire country.

"Plus," he said, "I can put off the real world for a little bit."

Source: Omaha World - Herald

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