Cyclists participating in Habitat for Humanity Manitoba's Cycle of Hope rolled into Morden this morning, marking another stop on an 840-kilometre journey that's raising money to help Manitoba families achieve affordable homeownership. This year's seven-day ride winds through Steinbach, Morris, Winkler, Morden, Glenboro, Brandon, Killarney and LaSalle. Riders have already surpassed the event's original $150,000 fundraising target, prompting organizers to raise the goal to $175,000. Pushing personal limits For Kevin Gallays, the ride represents a personal milestone. Having completed last year's Cycle of Hope, which covered roughly half the distance, Gallays said this year's 840-kilometre route is a big deal. "Last year it was four days, about half the distance. So, this year, 840 kilometres... it's going to be my longest ride. I did a ride from Saskatoon... to Winnipeg, shy of 800. So, it's a bit of a milestone for me." Paralympian Leanne Taylor is also tackling unfamiliar territory. Best known for competing in paratriathlon, Taylor said the endurance ride requires a very different approach. "Our distance is 20K, so this is a bit of a lift... Definitely more volume... the training volume to get up to this kind of distance. These guys are not messing around." Related stories: Habitat's Cycle of Hope rolls into the Pembina Valley this week ‘Now, no more tears,’ Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on new Morden build Beyond the challenge While the kilometres present their own test, each rider pointed to Habitat for Humanity's mission as the motivation that keeps them moving. Gallays said knowing the ride will help build a home for a newcomer family gives every kilometre added meaning. "I think that's just phenomenal, to help people like that and help them get set up and integrated in the community. It's certainly a very worthwhile cause." For veteran cyclist Priti Shah, the ride combines two longtime passions. "I've been a rider for about 35 years, but it was the combination of the passion of riding with the mission of Habitat that brought me to Cycle of Hope." That mission proved especially important during a difficult day battling Manitoba headwinds. "In a practical sense, you try and keep in a pace line. But for me yesterday, it was focusing on, 'We're here to build a house. We're here to build a house.' If I make it through this day and tell my supporters, they are going to donate knowing what a tough day it was — and it really worked." Building hope Taylor said Habitat for Humanity's work resonated with her in a special way, given her history. "The purpose of Habitat for Humanity is to kind of help people get back on their feet in a lot of ways. And that felt a lot like my injury recovery. It was exciting to be involved in something where we raise funds that help people kind of get a start, and then we get to see where they go with it." Although riders have already exceeded the original fundraising target of $150,000, the campaign continues as participants pedal toward the new goal of $175,000 to support Habitat for Humanity Manitoba home builds.