photo by Steve VanGunda

Tim Dellett, left, stopped in Natchez Tuesday nigth to take a break from his 2,400 mile bike ride from New Orleans to Minnesota to raise money and awarenes for Habitat for Humanity. Eric Junkin, a member of the local Habitat's board of directors, rides along.

Biker will cycle 2,400 to raise money

By Brian Reynolds (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Thursday, June 19, 2008

NATCHEZ — Tim Dellett made a stop in Natchez Tuesday night to take a break from his 2,400-mile bike ride to raise money for and awareness of Habitat for Humanity.

“Biking is a passion for me and combining that with another passion — working with habitat — is a real pleasure for me,” Dellett said.

Dellett will stop in towns along his route from New Orleans to Minnesota, where local Habitat committees support him.

“My ride’s not supported during the day but when I get to the town, that’s where the support comes in,” he said. “Tonight we’re going wild boar hunting so you never know what you’re going to get into.”

Dellett said that despite his training, he could not completely prepare for the heat and humidity of the Miss-Lou.

“I have to really stay on top of how much water I’m drinking,” he said. “It’s just about keeping the fuel tanks full.”

At one point in Louisiana, Dellett ran out of water and had to ask the head of a prison work gang for more.

“That prison water gave me some extra energy to make my escape from that part of the ride,” he said.

Eric Junkin, a member of the Habitat for Humanity board of directors, met Dellett Tuesday night and said he was impressed by what he Dellett was doing.

“Being new to the biking game, its an amazing thought,” Junkin said.

Junkin postponed his business for the morning to join Dellett on part of his trip.

“I’ll be tempted to ride to Fayette with him,” he said.

Dellett’s has done other long rides in the past including Washington state to Minnesota and Brooklyn to Minnesota and has raised around $80,000 for Habitat since 1996.