More than 100 participants turned out for the 17th annual bike ride and walk and raised a record $8,340 for the Southbury Fuel Bank.

Riders for the 50-mile portion started arriving at Sacred Heart Church at 7 a.m., and volunteers kept busy registering new and returning riders throughout the morning.

The Rev. Betsy Tesi, pastor of Church of the Epiphany, was on hand to offer a blessing before each group of riders and walkers departed.

The pastor conferred a special blessing on those riding Trek bikes, which she declared to be "God's favorite."

Twenty-five-miler Betsy Daniels of Woodbury - riding not a Trek but a spiffy pink Cannondale - told Voices her goal was "to remain upright."

Betsy and friends Nancy Cappello of Woodbury and Ramona Harrison of Middlebury were already familiar with the 25-mile route, having taken a "dry run" the week before.

"It's a beautiful ride," said Ramona, "not too many big hills."

"I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it," said Southbury resident Jeanmarie Mullen, who was attempting the 25 on her brand new bike.

"It's a fantastic cause," she said before taking off at 9:30 a.m. "I probably have about $250 in donations."

Gail Hornkohl of New Milford and her daughter, Katelyn, 5, shared a tandem bike on the 10-mile route, which left at 10:30 a.m. and took riders on a scenic trip along the Housatonic to the Shepaug Dam and back.

Also on the 10-mile were 15 riders from The Rock, a new youth group at Sacred Heart Church.

"It's a great cause, especially in this economy," said Jim Villano, one of three leaders who accompanied the group.

By 12:30 p.m., most participants had returned to Sacred Heart for a hot dog lunch, courtesy of the Knights of Columbus, and a selection of home-baked pies supplied by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Each rider/walker received 10 tickets for more than a dozen donated door prizes, from gym memberships to restaurant meals.

The Tour de Tribury is not a race, but this year's event included one element of competition.

In addition to the entry fee, participants were encouraged to raise extra donations for the fuel bank, with the promise of an extra 10 door prize tickets for each $50 raised.

Those raising $300 or more were eligible to win the grand prize of a Nintendo Wii.

Four riders achieved that level of fundraising: Brooke Williams, who raised $301; Regina Badura, who gathered $317; Amy Dunn, who brought in $575, and Danny Dressel, who won the Wii with his total of $655.

The major fundraiser for the Southbury Fuel Bank, the Tour de Tribury is an activity of Southbury Faith in Action, a lay committee composed of members of the town's various faith communities.

According to volunteer Barry Bonetti, this year's total is the highest ever collected at the ride, topping $6,513 raised in 2000. But that doesn't mean the fuel bank coffers are overflowing.

"We have to keep those dollars in perspective to their purchasing power," he said. "Even though this year's amount is higher, it can still only purchase about 36 percent of what the fuel bank would have been able to purchase in 1998 with the same dollars."

SoFIA is once again asking the town's faith communities to support the fuel bank by way of a designated offering during October.

To that end, committee members made a special presentation at last month's meeting of the Southbury Clergy Association, appealing directly to the town's religious leaders.

Those wishing to contribute to the Southbury Fuel Bank may mail a donation to 501 Main St. South, Southbury 06488.