Posted: Wednesday, Jun 10th, 2009
BY: DIANNE JAMES

Tim Dellett, distance cyclist, launches his 13th annual ride for Habitat for Humanity.

SAN LUIS VALLEY — Johnny B. Good’s Restaurant in downtown Monte Vista was packed on June 2, as approximately 40 people of all age groups attended a fundraiser for Habitat For Humanity, with music provided by Don Richmond, Fred Hargrove and Rocky Mountain Stage Productions.

The fundraiser, designed to raise $50,000 for the San Luis Valley Chapter of Habitat For Humanity, scheduled for 6 p.m., kicked off a sponsored bike ride by Tim Dellett, who will ride from Alamosa to Minnesota to raise awareness for the organization and its beneficiaries, stopping at many towns in between.

“I’ll be hosted by a family in each community,” said Dellett.”

Planning, he said, is a key element for a successful ride. “I check with churches to find a host for the night. Planning is important. This will be the fourth year I’ve ridden to Minnesota,” he said.

His ride will begin June 27 and he will arrive at his destination in Minnesota on July 11, totaling 1,100 miles. He’s ridden annual bike rides for Habitat since 1996.

Dellett’s initial draw to Habitat For Humanity began in college in 1991, “I did a service trip with a group which did some Habitat building at John’s Island in South Carolina,” he said.

“It’s an organization that works. It’s effective and empowering.” Love of people is apparent in Dellett’s ambitious bike rides,

“Some of the difficult parts of the ride are mechanical difficulties (with the bike), weather and storms, intense heat and humidity, dogs chasing me, and rough road conditions,” he said.

“Another (caution) is always being mindful of drivers on the road- every year, I’m always pleasantly surprised with their help. There are good people everywhere. One of the central tenets of Habitat is to show love for others.”

via Monte Vista Jornal