Apple Valley Man to Bike in 10th Habitat 500

Editor's note: The following is from a press release from Habitat for Humanity.

This year, as the Habitat 500 bike ride finishes in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Randy Oppelt will celebrate 10 years of crossing the finish line.

Oppelt, an resident, will have pedaled more than 10,000 miles and raised more than $30,000 in support of Habitat for Humanity.

Since its inception in 1993, $4.5 million dollars have been raised through the Habitat 500 fundraising bike ride for Habitat for Humanity home construction, contributing to the 2,000 homes built by Minnesota affiliates.

Now in its 20th year, the Habitat 500 bike ride will embark with 135 bikers and 40 volunteers on a 500-mile journey July 15-21 through south-central Minnesota. Participants will bike 50 to 100 miles each day on the ride, making six overnight stops in cities in south-central Minnesota.

This year’s route starts in St. Louis Park at the build site of the 2,000th Habitat home to be built in Minnesota. The route then travels through Hastings, New Prague, and Hutchinson (with a 100-mile loop), and continues on to New Ulm and Mayer before circling back into St. Louis Park.

As Oppelt reflects on his experiences throughout the 10 years of riding, one recurring theme resonates with him.

“I want to help make this world a better place and want to help give a hand up to those who really deserve and appreciate it; Habitat for Humanity is a very effective and efficient way to help others,” Oppelt said. “Habitat for Humanity’s benefits have huge impacts on the quality of life and future prospects of the recipient families, and these benefits can last generations. And I can give not just money, but also my time and energy in a meaningful way to help these families achieve affordable housing opportunities. That’s why I continue to ride each year.”

Each rider is required to raise a minimum of $900 to participate in the ride, but the amount averages $2,400 per person. This year’s 20th-anniversary fundraising goal is to raise $300,000.

For more information on how to get involved, visit the Habitat 500 website.