Habitat for Humanity will host its seventh annual Bike to Build bicycle tour on May 1.

The event features a 64 mile course, a 32 mile, a 21 mile and a 10 mile ride for both serious riders and families. The tour will begin at the Dulin Center on the campus of Scotland Memorial Hospital in Laurinburg with riders departing at 8:30 and 9 a.m.

Susan Covington, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, said this year's event should be a fun experience for everyone.

"For the previous two years we have had 122 riders to join us for our Bike to Build event," Covington said. "We hope to have the same or a greater number of participants with us again this year."

Proceeds from the event will be used to construct a home for a Habitat family. In the past, the organization has raised more than $30,000 from event sponsors and rider contributions.

The average cost of a Habitat house in Scotland County is $65,000.

A bicycle donated by Rainbow Cycles of Southern Pines will be raffled at the event.

"We have a Trek 7000 cross bicycle valued at $340 that will go to the winning ticket holder," said Vic Celadon, chairman of the Bike to Build committee. "Tickets are available now at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 12340 McColl Road in Laurinburg, and can be purchased the day of the event until 9 a.m., when the last riders leave."

The winner's name will be announced and posted between 9 and 10 a.m. on May 1.

Food and refreshments will be available to participants and their families on the day of the event, and babysitting activities will be provided for children whose parents plan to ride alone.

"We will have plenty of food donated by local businesses, restaurants and individuals," Covington said. "Members of the Anchor Club will help with babysitting children, provided they are potty-trained, while their parents ride."

Kirsten Dean, co-owner of Art by Design in Laurinburg, has been a Bike to Build participant for several years.

"I have ridden alone and with others," Dean said. "This year I am considering the 32 mile tour with a group, having done the 10 and the 21 mile routes previously. My 7-year old son, Jennings, has had a lot of fun participating in the children's activities that are available for riders who don't take their children along; the entire event is a wonderful way to have fun while supporting the good work that Habitat does."

Early Bird preregistration is available through April 30 at $25 per person or $20 per teams of four or more. Beginning May 1 at 7:30 a.m., registration will be $30 per person and $25 per team.

"We invite everyone to come out on Saturday, May 1 with their families, and enjoy bicycling through beautiful and historic Scotland County," Celadon said. "Your contribution will help us to build a home for a family that needs a safe home and neighborhood to live in."

Celadon asks all to visit the local Habitat ReStore as well.

"We invite you to donate items to our store and to shop for items, and we ask you to remember to purchase raffle tickets for the bicycle," he said.

Donations of "anything except clothing" will be accepted, Celadon said, including but not limited to furniture, appliances in working condition, household goods, decorations, lawn mowers, autos, construction material, and musical equipment.