The importance of a good night's rest on the Habitat 500 by Little Ole

You have seen many reminders on the importance of wearing your bike helmet while riding the Habitat 500. But, there are a two more things you should wear to insure a safe and enjoyable week--specifically, a sleep mask and ear plugs.

A good night's sleep will help you "ride safe and have fun" on the ride. Wearing a sleep mask and ear plugs will block out the unwelcome light and noise that can disturb you just when you are about to enter dreamland.

Whether you camp outside or sleep indoors, you are sharing your "bedroom" with many people. Sounds of zippers, creaking doors, shuffling feet, distant and not so distant train horns, air conditioner compressors and snoring may invariably disturb you. And then there are those pesky security lights--indoors and outdoors--that we can't shut off...

Since you probably don't use a mask and ear plugs at home, it's a good idea to try them out before the ride so they become part of your normal sleep routine. Like your favorite pillow, or comfy air mattress, a sleep mask and ear plugs will make your bedroom on the ride almost as comfortable as the one you left at home.

Sweet dreams,
Little Ole

Stats, Data and More!

Curious about where riders came from and how many people were first time riders? Did you know that over 3,500 people donated to this event or that the average amount raised per rider is over $2,250? Read on to learn more fun facts about the 2010 Habitat 500!

Total Miles Traveled -- 505
Number of Volunteers -- 40
Number of Registered Cyclists and Teams -- 137

Number of Riders from Minnesota -- 88
Number of Riders from States other than Minnesota -- 54
Number of States Riders Hail From -- 18

Percentage of Repeat Riders -- 65%
Number of First-year Riders -- 48

Number of Fifteen-year Volunteers -- 1
Number of Ten-year Riders and Volunteers -- 7

Number of Habitat Affiliates Receiving Funds -- 60
Total Funds Raised (as of 9/3/10) -- $302,360
Average Donation Amount --
Average Amount Raised Per Rider -- $2,253
Funds Raised for the bike.home. -- $35,662 (A record high!!)
Number of Riders Raising Funds for the bike.home. -- 37

Youngest Cyclist Age -- 15 years old
Most Senior Rider Age -- 76 years young
Average Age of Riders -- 48

Total Fund Raised Over the Past 18 Years -- $4.1 million

Jan Plimpton's Reflection on 10 Years on the Habitat 500

When I think about the Habitat 500 Bike Ride, I think of four main things: 1) the ride brings out the best in people, 2) what could be better than spending a week in July travelling around the state with 160 of your favorite folks, 3) the amazing dedication of our volunteers and our host communities, and 4) the good work we are doing building homes for families in need.

I think of Susan and Walter Baker dedicating a week every year for 18 years to providing our ride with the BEST ride support. I think of the people who get up SO very early in the morning to provide us with great breakfasts. I love that the HFH-MN staff can gather around at lunch any day and within minutes of starting to tell Hab 500 stories we are all in such good moods -- laughing so hard we cry. I treasure the beauty of the scenery, especially early in the morning when there is mist or fog in the valleys. I am amazed at the strength of the connections we form with folks we see only one week a year (but that is easier now that we have Facebook).

I am in awe of the good work the ride has accomplished! In the nine years HFH-MN has been managing the ride we have raised and distributed $2.4 million for Habitat homebuilding activities around the world. That is a lot of homes! And I am especially mindful of the impact of the bike.home. Since we implemented this element of the bike ride in 2006, we have raised over $120,000 and helped build 5 homes for families that we now have a very personal connection with.

It has been an honor to serve you all through our coordination of the ride. It is a labor of love and I am deeply appreciative of Jenni Ebert sharing this vision. The contribution she makes to the success of the ride is beyond measure in so many ways. The great teamwork of the HFH-MN staff in this effort must also noted!

Who knew that when we were little kids our passion for riding our bikes would take us to this place! The memories are priceless! So many come flooding into my brain. We have thrived in the cold, the heat, the headwinds, the hills, and the rain! Thanks for the memories!