Bike To Build Scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2011!

Organizers and cycling enthusiasts are gearing up for Habitat for Humanity of Scotland County’s 8th annual Bike to Build bicycle tour. The multi-route tour of Scotland County is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2011.

Last year’s event raised more than $22,000.  We've raised as much as $32,000 in previous events and would love to get back to that level (that's almost 1/2 of a new home).  Please help spread the word about this fun event so that we may be able to fund the whole house with this years Bike to Build fundraiser income.

“May 2011 will be our 8th 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 and can now accept credit card payments on our own website, www.biketobuild.org. We are offering group discounts, and have added an incentive for families to ride.”

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 38 homes in partnership with families in need here in Scotland County.

Executive Director Susan Covington said she is so excited to have just moved into the new Habitat ReStore and office building at 12340 McColl Road (Rt. 401 S), and is now looking forward to raising enough money through Bike To Build to start building house number 39. The average house costs $70,000 to build.

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 over the years,” Celadon says. “We hope that the 10-mile, Wee Tour will attract parents with young children to come out and ride together.” 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. After the event, visit our new ReStore and help us build homes with your purchases and/or donations. The ReStore is open Tuesday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:00pm, except Wednesday, when we stay open to 6:00 pm.  We are also open Saturdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Drop off donations and shop anytime during those hours.  Call the ReStore (276-3395) to arrange a donation pickup on Monday's and Thursdays.

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 continues through Friday May 6th and 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. Day of registration is $30 per individual or $25 for a team of four or more.

For more information or advance registration information visit www.biketobuild.org or contact the Habitat office at 910-276-3337, or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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