Bike & Build

Biking cross country is something I’ve heard people talk about doing in the days when the world was “a safer place.” Around the same time my dad was hitch hiking across the UK, my friend’s grandmother was cycling the length of Chile, and so many others were backpacking through Europe– without the itinerary or travel insurance that we are now so often consumed with. These things, now, seem less sacred, if not impossible and dangerous. Bah, danger. How totally disenchanting. Thus, let me introduce Bike & Build.

Bike & Build is a not-for-profit organization that supports the building efforts of Habitat for Humanity while raising money and awareness. The big idea: college students or what they refer to as “young people” cycle cross country to California from various points on the east coast while being sponsored to complete the journey. A few days of rest and days for building are preset along the way, but most days are spend cycling in teams of 3 or 4 (though groups of 20 or more leave leave from each starting point). I think this is such an amazing way to experience the country we live in, which is so big and feels so unconquerable. And, of course, it is an opportunity to give back in a big way.

Some key facts:

• You must raise at least 4k before leaving on the trip
• You are given, and may keep, a new bike
• 3 meals a day and accommodation at night are provided, though it may be in the form of tents and community centers
• You do not need to be an experienced cyclist before you embark (I imagine you may finish as one)

Check out the link below to read more about this phenomenal organization.

http://bikeandbuild.org/cms/