Kids' bike ride helps build home

Sergei Himpel

Sergei and Vika Himpel took their longest bike ride ever this summer. It was a church group ride to help finance a new Habitat for Humanity home for a local family.

For Sergei and Vika, the chance to help others get a new home had special personal significance. Both of them had been homeless orphans in Russia before they were adopted by John and Lois Himpel of Manchester.

Seventeen-year-old Sergei said, "It makes me feel good to be able to help someone."

Vika Himpel

The four Himpels all took part in the 250-mile ride by the Mo-Hab Riders of Manchester United Methodist Church (MUMC) in Ballwin. Nearly 30 bike riders made the trip earlier this summer.

In addition, others from the church drove support vehicles on the 4-day ride. The trip was from Clinton, in southwest Missouri, to St. Charles. They rode on the popular Katy Trail.

Before setting out on the trip, each rider solicited pledges from family and friends.

The Himpel family raised $500 in pledges that were paid after the ride was completed.

In his solicitation letter, Sergei told of the special importance to him in helping get a home for a family. In the solicitation, Sergei raised $150 and Vika another $100. Their parents raised an additional $250.

Serei riding his bike

MUMC has been holding the Katy Trail ride for several years to raise Habitat for Humanity funds. In addition, church members volunteer for construction of homes for low-income families.

John Himpel said he hopes to take Sergei and Vika to the dedication of this year's new home when it's completed in October. That way, the kids can see where their bike-ride pledge money went.

Sergei and Vika made the Katy Trail ride on their new 21-speed Trek mountain bikes. Their father rode a 24-speed LeMond racing bike. Mrs. Himpel was a member of the support crew that provided aid if any rider or bike had trouble.

Vika on her bike

None of the Himpel riders had any trouble with their bikes on the 4-day ride.

The MUMC ride was also blessed with mostly good weather.

On the first day, the group rode 72 miles from Clinton to Boonville, Mo. Just after they had completed the first leg, there was a large thunderstorm.

Vika said, "There was hail the size of golf balls."

But, the riders only had to delay slightly their departure on the second day before the skies cleared. That was the only bad weather on the trip and that happened after they'd already found overnight shelter.

The second day's leg was 54 miles to Holt Summit, Mo. They rode 52 miles the third day to Hermann, Mo. The last day's ride was 67 miles to St. Charles.

Sergei said he was surprised by the lack of population along much of the Katy Trail. "We went through one town that had only 12 people. It was amazing," he said.

But, for Vika, the most interesting part of the trip was seeing varied animal life. She said she enjoyed seeing a deer, snakes and lizards along the route.

Sergei said the hardest part of the ride involved the hills. There aren't any steep hills along the Katy Trail, which is along an old railroad right-of-way. But, there are extended uphill grades that require constant peddling.

Vika had a different twist on what was the most difficult part of the ride. She said, "The hardest part was putting up with the family, especially my brother."

But, Mrs. Himpel pointed out that it couldn't have been too much of a burden. Mrs. Himpel said, "She insisted on riding next to her brother when they were on the trail."

Sergei was eight and Vika was three when they were adopted. Neither of the kids had ever been to school while they were in Russia. And, they knew no English before coming to this country.

Asked if he had any memories of Russia, Sergei said simply, "Not any good ones."

Sergei is an avid reader, with shelves of books in his room at home.

He is a sophomore at Parkway South High School while Vika is in 6th grade at Parkway Southwest Middle School.

And they have plans to go to college. Sergei said he wants to go to Truman State University. Vika hasn't singled out a particular college as yet.

Sergei said he wants to be a computer game designer. He said he's working on designing a game now.