The Ride for Homes is a four-day bike ride that supports Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia. Riders raise critical funds for Habitat's homebuilding projects and bike through Pennsylvania's gorgeous countryside. The tour is unique because it maintains a small, friendly, supportive atmosphere, and it's fully supported. Over the course of four days, the Ride creates a unique community among participants, raises awareness about the critical need for affordable housing and helps generate funds to keep Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia building and repairing. Register today!

Sponsorship

Each year, generous sponsors support the ride costs and help ensure that every dollar our riders raise goes directly towards Habitat's homebuilding and home repair projects. For more information about sponsorship, please contact Christine Serwan at christines@habitatphiladelphia.org.

Fundraising

We ask each rider to raise $1200 prior to the ride. The dollars your raise go directly to Habitat's construction projects and family programming, and to cover the costs of the trip (housing and support team). The trip is intentionally mission-focused, and to that end we've planned basic but comfortable lodging. This means that you'll be able to have the maximum possible amount of your donation going directly to Habitat and its hardworking future homeowners.

Nervous about raising the $1200? You can do it! We have lots of tips and advice to help you – and a very easy to navigate online crowdsourcing platform. We can also provide a letter template that you can personalize and send to potential donors. Above all, remember: don't be afraid to ask! If you don't ask, people won't give. Many of your friends, family and colleagues recognize the Habitat name and will be glad to contribute to your ride if they're asked.

The 2018 Route: May 31 - June 3

The Ride will leave from the northwest portion of Philadelphia. We'll head towards New Hope, Lambertville, the lovely Sourland Mountains of New Jersey, back to an old Ride for Homes favorite of Easton, PA before we'll wind our way home down the Delaware River via Doylestown. Register for the ride!

Ride support

The ride is supported with three support/sag vehicles and volunteers to ensure that riders are safe, hydrated and comfortable. Riders can keep overnight bags in the sag vehicle. There will also be a volunteer mechanic to help with roadside repairs.

There are planned rest stops each day, and we'll have plenty of water and snacks available to stock up on!

If necessary due to exhaustion or injury, you can ride in the sag to the night's destination. There is a CPR/First Aid certified staff member on hand at all times, as well as a full First Aid kit. If there's a serious emergency, 911 is the first call we make.

If you are injured and/or cannot finish the trip, we will get you to a train station or help you find another way to return home.

Difficulty and pace

This is a ride, not a race! If you have a road bike and you're physically ready for a multi-day ride, you can find a comfortable pace for yourself throughout the trip. You will be given cue sheets so that there is no pressure to maintain a fast pace. That being said, the trip totals about 200 miles over four days, and sections of the route are very hilly! We recommend that riders be in very good shape for the trip, and train beforehand if necessary. But don't worry—there's lots of support throughout the trip to make sure that everyone gets in safe and sound at the end of each day.

Age requirement

Riders must be at least 18 years of age.

Bikes and gear

You will need a road bike that you've taken on extended rides before, and you'll want to make sure that it is fully maintained before the trip begins. If you have any doubts, we recommend taking your bike into the shop for a full tune-up beforehand. You can also prepare by making sure that you have all of the gear that will help you stay safe and comfortable during the trip. You should have:

-A bike helmet

-Proper cycling clothing (including layers for cold weather and for rain)

-Water bottles and holders (at least two)

-Bike lights (both front and back) and extra batteries

-A basic bike repair kit (patches, tire levers, extra chain link, a spare tube, etc.)

-Tire pump (attachable to your bike frame or carried with you)

You'll be able to keep one piece of luggage in the sag vehicle. We have a list of suggested items to pack here.

Food and lodging

Riders stay in basic but comfortable hotels each night of the trip. Rooms are two-person, and if you don't select a roommate, one will be