The country's so nice, I biked it twice
In 2019, I had the privilege of leading Bike & Build’s Northern cross-country cycling route. Bike & Build is a 501c3 non-profit working to amplify and aid the affordable housing cause, by way of cross-country bike trips. They also work to empower young adults in what is often a step along the way of a lifetime of civic engagement. After completing their central route as a rider in 2017, I felt so inspired. Helping to lead a trip would prove to be the perfect next challenge for me. Alongside my co-leaders, I learned so much about coordinating hosts, planning volunteer opportunities, obtaining meal donations, planning cycling routes, preparing our riders for the trip, and building a team culture where riders could feel safe and empowered.
Our team of 26 rode from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Bellingham, Washington over the course of three months. Along the way, we participated in build days with affordable housing organizations, met with local governments to learn about the housing issues and solutions that they were facing, distributed over $17,000 in grants, and biked over 4,000 miles. It was beautiful, challenging, and immensely rewarding.
