Dave Bergum crashed and burned Wednesday, and it was all in the name of charity.

“I didn’t get very far today,” the bicyclist said. “I went for a fly. I’m kind of broken up about not doing 100 miles today.”

Bergum, 67, who lives near Ely, Minn., is one of 116 participants from 15 states in the 17th Annual Habitat 500 Bike Ride, a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, a non-profit organization that works to eliminate poverty housing by building homes for families in need.

On day four of the ride, several cyclists crashed on a slippery bridge on their way to their stop for the night at Grand Meadow High School.

Bergum hit his helmet on the road and cracked it. He received a new wheel, and plans to jump back into the ride as soon as physically possible.

“I thought I broke my arm, but it’s OK,” he said.

A retired software engineer who trained about 150 miles per week for the ride, Bergum raised $1,100 through pledges.

“It’s hard to raise money when you’re out in the sticks,” he said with a laugh.

The minimum amount each rider raises is $850; the average is $2,600. Each rider may designate donations for up to three Habitat for Humanity affiliates.

The ride began Sunday in Faribault and will wind its way through Rochester, Rushford, Grand Meadow, Albert Lea and Lake Crystal, with three rest stops each day.

The riders traveled to Grand Meadow on Wednesday from Ostrander along County Road 8. At the school, riders were provided with showers, food and a place to sleep. About 40 volunteers — including massage therapists, who donate their tips to Habitat — are accompanying the cyclists. Area churches served breakfast for participants this morning.

Jenni Ebert, special programs manager for Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, said Grand Meadow High School was suitable for an overnight stop because of its accommodations and unique monolithic domes.

“Grand Meadow is just the perfect spot,” Ebert said. “I was intrigued by the domes.”

Today, cyclists headed down County Road 8 to LeRoy to connect to the Shooting Star Trail. Plans included a stop at the Spam Museum in Austin. A Habitat for Humanity homeowner will make a presentation at the museum; the group has heard several homeowners speak during evening assemblies on their ride.

They will end their ride for the day in Albert Lea. It wraps up Saturday in Faribault.

Riders also participated in the annual bike.home. project, where participants help build a Habitat home during a stop on their ride. This year, they helped assemble a roof and siding on a home in Rushford, where floods nearly destroyed the town in 2007. The home will be purchased by Kristin Ekern, a mother of two. It will be the first Habitat home in Fillmore County.

Ninety-six percent of funds from the bike ride go directly back into building Habitat homes. The fundraising goal for this year is $300,000. Habitat 500 has raised more than $3.5 million in the past 17 years.