Hi Habitat 500 Friend,
Check out the Habitat 500's April E-newsletter below to learn more about:
Where are we going?
This year we are traveling the scenic roads and trails of Northeastern Minnesota. Our journey will take us through lake country and the iron range – the scenery will be amazing! We are starting and ending in Sandstone with stops in between in Isle, Hill City, Grand Rapids, Hibbing (two nights) and Esko. Check out the map and the affiliates we will be visiting along the way here.
Are you new?
If this is your first year, make sure to check out all the ins and outs of this ride before its time to go. You will find some helpful tips and reminders on the website. Both the Rider Handbook and the New Rider Notes are chalk full of good info!
Fundraise! Fundraise! Fundraise!
Not only did you volunteer to raise $900, but you did so for the privilege of riding 500 miles on a bicycle! The fact of the matter is that you have committed yourself to making a concrete difference in the lives of individuals who need a simple, decent, affordable place to live. And YOU are making a difference!
Need some help starting out with the fundraising this year? A good starting point is to draft a letter. Sample letters and fundraising tips are available on our website along with great tips to help start you out!
How does one go about soliciting money for this ride? Of cou rse, no one likes asking their friends, family, and acquaintances for money, but those are the ones who will be happy to sponsor your ride. Not only them, but your boss wants to give you money, too!
Try sending out an e-mail to everyone on your e-mail list that you haven’t touched base with for too many weeks. They’d love to hear what crazy new activity you’ve gotten yourself into. Don’t stop there, though. Consider the community that you live in. There are churches in your area, teachers and students that you know, small businesses that you frequent, and larger businesses that you work with – all of whom will be willing to support your ride. They only have to be asked. They may think you are crazy for wanting to ride 500 miles, but they will know that you are committed to making an impact on affordable housing.
Training
Spring is here and you must be thinking it is time to start training. Yes. You have to train. Of course you are busy, but there is no other way than to make time. Try riding to work. Use a bike ride to unwind after a long day, or start your day with a workout on your bike to warm and wake you up.
There is only one thing that will keep you riding 500 miles without too much difficulty, and that is time in the saddle.
Habitat 500 Planning Committee members (and Habitat 500 riders), Morgan Blum and Paul Reasoner, are planning several training ride opportunities. The weekend training rides will be offered in and around the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. The first one is being planned for Saturday, April 17th at 10 AM starting at Sunrise Cyclery in Minneapolis. Watch for emails from me with more details soon.
