A welcome repast

Bicycles safely tucked away in the corner, the 33-member Bike and Build team feasts Tuesday night at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in McCook. Taking a break from their 4,025 mile, 73 day trek across the United States, the team, consisting of 18 women and 15 men, is raising awareness about the need for affordable housing and where needed, lending a hand in building Habitat for Humanity homes. The Southwest Nebraska Habitat for Humanity board provided food and shelter for the sun-soaked, yet still energetic team Tuesday night before they headed for Holyoke, Colorado this morning. "The hardest part of the ride is getting on your bike, even when it hurts," said Caroline Rekuc of Raleigh, North Carolina. Teammate Will Gallmeyer of Grand Rapids, Michigan added, "Every day has been phenomenal, but it would be easy to miss those phenomenal moments if all you're focused on is reaching that day's destination." Even after enduring more than 80 miles of cycling in 100 plus degree temperatures, bucking the wind all the way, the group still had enough energy to sing a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday" to Ellen Carpenter of Houghton, Michigan, who celebrated her 25th birthday on the road. The trek ends Aug. 20 in Half Moon Bay, California. More information on the bike and build effort is available online at www.bikeandbuild.org.