LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Bob Frick and Len Holmes' Cycle of Hope 2 Cyclists Raise $160K for Habitat Project in WC


From left, Barbara Frick (center, blue shirt), Len Holmes (center, checked shirt), and Bob Frick (center, light blue shirt) join other volunteers at the October 27 Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking ceremony in Walnut Creek. Photo Hau Nguyen

This is the second time that Lafayette resident and now 75-year-old cyclist Bob Frick has set out to ride his bicycle to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. His first ride in 2008 was a cross country success and he far exceeded his fundraising goal.

This time, with his friend Len Holmes, the two men rode the Lewis and Clark Trail beginning at the Pacific Ocean, across the Western states, to St. Louis, Mo. Together, they raised over $160,000 to help support the construction of two Habitat homes which will be part of a 10-home community adjacent to at Hillside Drive and Ygnacio Valley Road, just a short walk to the Walnut Creek BART Station.

Their long journey was also made possible by Frick's wife, Barbara, who drove their support car.

Frick and Holmes successfully completed their ride in August of this year, and on October 27, with shovels in hand, they joined civic and community leaders, donors and volunteers to begin building the new housing community.

The 10 Pleasant Creek Homes will be simple, modestly-sized two-story duplexes and triplexes that will serve the needs of low to moderate-income working families. The two, three and four bedroom Green Point-rated homes were designed by local architect Geoffrey Holton & Associates for energy efficiency. Through a generous grant from PG&E through the Solar Habitat Program, all new Habitat homes will also have solar panels.

In addition to the proceeds from Frick and Holmes' 3,000-mile trek, Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley CEO Janice Jensen said there was "unprecedented local community support through grass-roots events, bake sales, concerts and more," along with a partnership with Mayor Bob Simmons and the City of Walnut Creek, State Senator, Mark DeSaulnier, and the continued support and generosity of local family foundations.

Community volunteers and new homeowners using Habitat's sweat equity down payment program, will build their homes and the homes of their neighbors. When the development is completed in 2014, these new Habitat families will have a simple, decent and affordable place to call home with a no-profit mortgage held by Habitat.

For more information, visit HabitatEBSV.org.