Local Support Sought –

Coast-To-Coast Bike Trip Will Benefit Habitat For Humanity

By Steve Bigham

This summer, Newtown resident Annie Lux will get on her bike for a nine-week, 4,000-mile ride across the country in an effort to bring housing opportunities to those facing economic challenges. In taking part in the 8th annual Habitat Bicycle Challenge, she and 29 other college students will be raising both money and awareness for Habitat for Humanity.

On June 2, Annie and her team will dip their bikes into the Atlantic somewhere in New Haven as they prepare for the summer-long trip. On August 5, they plan to dip their bikes in the Pacific somewhere on the coast of Seattle, Washington.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing the country in a way that would not be possible if I didn’t get involved in this program,” she said. “I’m excited about seeing the country slowly as opposed to in a car or in a plane.”

Annie is currently a junior at Yale University and plans to someday begin a career in architecture. For now, however, she is ready and willing to give much of her time and energy to others. At age 20, she has already taken part in numerous Habitat projects and work camps for both church and school. But it will take more than just sweat equity to help Annie achieve her goals. She is also seeking help from the community in order to make this possible.

“Any contributions I can get will go a long way. We each need to raise $3,500. That’s enough to build three houses in the New Haven area,” she said.

Annie isn’t worried about being able to finish the trip. She’s in great shape, due in part to her rowing. As a member of the Yale Rowing team, she is working her muscles on a daily basis. She would have made the coast-to-coast trip last summer, too, had it not been for a shoulder injury that forced her to have surgery. While her shoulder mended this past fall, Annie rode with the Yale Biking team.

“I’m now finally healthy enough to go,” she said this week.

The daughter of Paul and Kate Lux of Grays Plain Road, Annie grew up in Newtown and attended Newtown High School as a freshman. She spent her last three years of high school at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. She is the oldest Lux child. Siblings Tim and Sarah are both younger. An avid swimmer, Annie has spent the last few summers as head coach of the Newtown Torpedoes swim team.

Annie had been on a waiting list for the trip, but found out this week that she would definitely be going. She’ll join mostly Yale students on the journey, which will take a northern route across the US. After leaving New Haven, the group will wind its way through Connecticut (even passing through Newtown on the first day), then head north through New York State before making a sharp left turn at Niagara Falls. From there, the bicyclists will pedal along Lake Erie in northern Ohio before cruising up through Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. A second group will take a southern route to San Francisco.

Along the way, the groups will cut down on costs by staying in churches and community centers where members provide them with dinners.

The riders, who will average 70-80 miles per day, are supported by a number of sponsors, including Cannondale, which provides a bike to each participant. Sponsors will also provide funding for all repairs and new equipment.

The trip, however, is a fundraiser and Annie is seeking donations from local residents or businesses. Can you help Annie help others? All donations are tax deductible. Checks are payable to: Habitat Bicycle Challenge, Habitat for Humanity of New Haven, 378 Crown Street, New Haven, CT 06511 (be sure to write Annie’s name in the memo section of your check).

For more information, call Annie at 203-777-2360 or email her at annie.lux@yale.edu.