Bluffton, Indiana
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This is the fourth year of the CoverIndiana tour, an effort by cyclists to raise money to benefit chapters of Habitat for Humanity across the state.
On Sunday afternoon groups of cyclists departed from Bluffton, Evansville, and South Bend on routes that will converge next Saturday on the final leg into Indianapolis. For local riders the first day’s route was from Bluffton to Huntington.
The Wells County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity is represented by Bluffton resident Phil Lockwood, an avid cyclist. This is the third year Lockwood has participated in the tour.
Lockwood said he was happy to be participating. “I want to tell the people who contributed thank you,” Lockwood said. “A part of them is riding with me.”
“We’re doing the same thing, raising money for Habitat, so a part of them is riding with me,” said Lockwood.
Lockwood, 57, said the ride is challenging. “There’s a lot of hills,” Lockwood said.
“Especially on the leg between Peru and Lafayette, believe it or not,” Lockwood said. “You’d think it would be hillier down by Shades State Park (Crawfordsville) and it is hilly there.”
Lockwood credited one of the tour coordinators, Joe Anderson, for always creating a route with a signature finish on each day’s leg in the form of a big hill.
“It’s disgusting,” Lockwood laughed. “Right when you think you’re about done. Still Lockwood enjoys riding and said he rode 150 miles the past weekend.
Lockwood said he got into riding after he “crashed and burned,” as a runner. “I really like it,” Lockwood said. “I seem to be blessed with good health and I’m thankful for that.”
Lockwood said by riding to raise money for Habitat for Humanity he hopes he is able to give something back and to glorify the Lord.
Lockwood and about a dozen riders departed from the Wells County Courthouse at about 1:15 p.m. on Sunday, following a brief kick off ceremony hosted by Bluffton Mayor Ted Ellis.
“We’re just glad you are here and glad for what you are doing,” Ellis told the riders. “Don’t ever forget the reason behind this.”
Ellis wished the riders a safe and successful journey, and thanked them for supporting a good cause.
After Sunday’s Bluffton to Huntington leg, riders will travel from Huntington to Peru on day two, Peru to Lafayette on day three, from Lafayette to Crawfordsville on day four, from Crawfordsville to Terre Haute on day five, from Terre Haute to Plainfield on day six.
The final leg of the tour wraps up on Saturday, May 19, with a ride from Plainfield to Indianapolis.
Riders have sponsors along the way who help with meals, lodging, and even restroom breaks. The riders are usually accompanied by a support vehicle that carries their luggage.
Along the route special “Dan Henry,” directional markers have been placed in the road at every intersection.
Route planner Joe Anderson told the riders from outside the area that, “Bluffton has one of the premier bicycle paths in the state, and it’s also one of the first.”
“It’s a beautiful path that runs from downtown out to Ouabache State Park. It’s a beautiful setup,” Anderson said.
Ellis noted that the city is in the process of extending the bicycle path north along State Road 1 through the Interurban Trail Project, a future trail link between Ouabache State Park and Pokagan State Park.
Pastor Neil Ainslie offered a prayer for the riders. “Please be with each rider and give them your blessing of strength and also endurance,” Ainslie prayed.
The riders were given a police escort out of the downtown area toward Ouabache State Park by the Bluffton Police Department’s new Dodge Charger patrol car.
Ellis joked that the riders wouldn’t be the first group that the Bluffton Police Department has escorted to the city limits but they might be the most docile.
The Wells County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity is asking for both monetary and prayer support as Lockwood donates a week of his time to support the organization.
Pat Boyd, the local chairperson for the tour, said by supporting Lockwood’s tour donors can help another family live in a decent and affordable home.
Boyd thanked the riders for participating and welcomed the out of town riders to Bluffton. Boyd noted the tour benefits chapters all across the state and benefits families statewide. “It doesn’t go just to the Bluffton office, it spreads out,” Boyd said.
“We are hopeful that this event and generosity of Phil will allow us to continue our local building program this year, thus, providing safe, affordable, and decent homes for families unable to afford them otherwise,” said Rick Yoder, President of Habitat for Humanity in Wells County.
Yoder offered special thanks to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Psi Iota Xi for additional support to get the event “rolling.”
Habitat for Humanity completed their 18th home in Wells County at 1317 W. Cherry Street in February. That home is now occupied by proud homeowners Jeff and Jessie McLaughlin and family.
Habitat helps working families who are living in substandard housing by building a new home and providing interest free financing. The families must provide at least 500 hours of labor on the project.
Habitat for Humanity, often referred to as simply Habitat is an international non-denominational Christian non-profit organization devoted to building “simple, decent, and affordable” housing.
Homes are built using volunteer labor and are sold at no profit, with no interest charged on the mortgage. The organization was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia by Millard and Linda Fuller.
The organization gained a broader profile and grew in size in 1984 when former President Jimmy Carter became involved with Habitat for Humanity. He has since become its most high-profile proponent.
Carter has been involved in fund-raising and publicity as well as actual home-building, taking part in the annual Jimmy Carter Work Project “blitz build”.
In 2006, the Jimmy Carter Work Project took place in Lonavala, India. More than 2,000 volunteers from India and abroad joined Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in the construction of 101 homes.
For more information about Habitat for Humanity’s local efforts or to support Lockwood on the CoverIndiana tour please call Pat Boyd at (260) 273-3087.
jgwallace@news-banner.com
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