Cyclists to raise money
for Habitat for Humanity

Dirk Hollebeek, Tim Pikaart and Alan Philips pause as they travel the route around Gallup on a weekend bike tour recently. The three hope to bike Saturday to help to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity. [courtesy photo]

By Gaye Brown de Alvarez
Staff writer

GALLUP — Attention all bicyclists. Habitat for Humanity in Gallup is hosting a “Habitrek Gallup — Bike to Build” event on Saturday.

The idea? Get a bike. Get a pledge. Put on a helmet. Go for a ride. Make money for Gallup’s Habitat for Humanity. Socialize with other bike riders. Have fun.

It all starts at 7 a.m., with a pancake breakfast and check in at Bethany Church, 1100 South Strong Drive in Gallup and the rides begin at 8 a.m.

Three different rides are being offered for the different levels on biking enthusiasts.

Ride 1

Family Ride:
10 miles along Nizhoni bypass from Ellis Tanners Trading Co. to Gallup High School and back. Families are responsible for delivering their equipment to and from the starting point.

Ride 2

Red Rock Loop (Short loop):
25 miles starting at Bethany Church. South on Second Street to Nizhoni bypass to Route 66 to Red Rock Chapter road to N.M. Highway 32, back to Bethany.

Ride 3

St. Michael’s — Lupton Loop (Long Loop):
80 miles starting at Bethany Church. South on Second Street to Nizhoni bypass to Route 66 to Mentmore Crossing. North on N.M. Highway 1 to N.M. Highway 264. East through Window Rock to St. Michaels. South on N.M. Highway 12 to Lupton. East on Old 66 back to Gallup then back to Bethany Church on the Nizhoni bypass.

“This is the second year we are having this event,” said Jo Ann Benenati, the president of the Habitat for Humanity Gallup Board of Directors. “It is a statewide event in many states, and New Mexico tried it statewide two years ago, but the participation wasn’t good enough for all the time and effort that went into organizing it. So we thought, ‘why don’t we just do it here locally?’”

Tim Pikaart of Rehoboth was one of the riders who went on the 80-mile ride last year. He said it took him about four hours to bike on the paved roads.

“There was a little bit of wind, if I remember correctly, but the weather was beautiful. We had a pancake breakfast at Bethany Church, did the ride and then we regrouped after the ride at Coal Street Pub for dinner. We hope to do that again this year.”

So, Benenati said, they had nine riders last year and they are hoping to pump up participation this year and provide some much-needed funds for Habitat for Humanity.

Information: Benenati, 863-3743.