With June quickly approaching, I figured it was about time I created a blog for my fabulous supporters to follow! I will be posting periodically with fundraising updates, and random Bike & Build and Affordable Housing facts. Once June finally arrives and I hit the road, I promise to post as often as possible updating you all with my on-the-road adventures and experiences!
As many of you already know, I have turned in my whistle (at least for this summer) and traded it for a sweet pair of wheels. (Giant Avail 3- silver, light blue and white. She should be in a box on my doorstep by next week. Can you tell I'm excited?) Starting June 15th I will be heading up Portland, ME and just a few days later hopping on a road bike and taking it all the way to Santa Barbara, CA. Oh don't worry, I know... I must be crazy. The reason behind the madness goes far beyond my need of adventure; I am pedaling across the United States in order to raise funding and awareness of the affordable housing crisis with a non-profit called Bike & Build. Pretty awesome, huh?
It's not that I woke up one morning and decided, "Hey, maybe I'll learn how to ride a road bike and take it from state, to state, to state until I hit the Pacific." Two summers ago, I watched as my brother, Alex committed himself to riding from Jacksonville, FL all the way to San Francisco, CA with an up-and-coming charity that I had never heard of before. He had heard of Bike & Build through our younger sister, who has been an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity since her freshman year in high school. Ever since I saw the impact this trip had on his life, and the lives of so many American's that his group came in contact with, I knew I had to join the movement. After graduating from University of Delaware in May, I chose to spend my summer hunting for teaching jobs. Luckily, I was hired to teach preschool full time at Beachwood Nursery School- a private, NAEYC accredited school just twenty minutes from my parents house. Having the blessing of the amazing staff and families at BNS, I took the time this fall to apply for a summer trip with Bike & Build and here I am!
Just a few trip details:
* We leave from Portland, ME and arrive in Santa Barbara, CA ten and half weeks later.
* We average 75 miles a day, riding in rain or shine.
* 12 full days are dedicated to building houses with various local affordable housing groups.
* Each rider is responsible for raising $4,500.
o Roughly half of the money goes directly towards the cause in the form of grants, prearranged gifts, and on-the-road donations. The rest of the money helps pay for a road bike, tons of peanut butter and jelly, gas for the team van and other various necessities to make the trip possible
Before I head off to spin class (WOO training!), I want to take a quick minute to thank all of you who have already donated! I won't list all of your names in this already long post, but I will tell you one thing: without you, this trip would not be possible. You're not only supporting me in my efforts to make a difference in our country, but you yourself are the one that is making that difference. For that, you are awesome!
If this wasn't enough for you to read, check out the official B&B website to learn some more at: http://bikeandbuild.org. To donate, you can read my official rider bio and donate directly from that page: http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/5613
Cheers,
Alyssa
