Habitat 500

Now in its 18th year, the Habitat 500 is a bicycle  ride (not a race) and fundraiser that covers 500 miles over the course of 7 days (an average of 71 miles per day).  Each rider raises funds from family, friends, businesses, and church groups and designates the Habitat for Humanity affiliates they wish to support (both locally and around the world). 

Participation is limited to 135 riders, and this year it was a full house! Each rider is required to raise a minimum of $900, but the average amount raised is nearly $2,600 per rider.

Each year is a new route; we tour around the midwest (mostly Minnesota) visiting Habitat affiliates, Habitat worksites and Habitat homeowners along the way (in addition to roadside attractions).  Habitat affiliates serve as our local hosts for overnight stays. The map of this year's route will start and end in Sandstone with stops in Isle, McGregor, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, and Cloquet. 

A key component of the ride is to raise awareness about the need for decent, safe, affordable housing.  In this regard, we are in contact with all forms of media to generate coverage and we find the ride is a very attractive story for newspapers, radio, tv, cable, etc.  --  we bring a lot of excitement wherever we go.

Visit www.habitat500.org for more details!

This year, both of our VISTA volunteers, Andrea and Sarah, participated! Click here for updates of their progress and photos!