Yes, We are still going

So there comes a time in any grand adventure when you become so immersed in the experience that all remnants of the real world dissolve into a far dark corner of your mind. It is there that my blog has resided the last few weeks.

But yes, we are still riding and the trip has continued to be incredible. A shout out to the Prescott Area Habitat and Thrivent Build crew for reminding me of all of those who read my blog. And a special THANK YOU also for the delicious chocolates :). Part of the reason for my absence can may be attributed to the personal journal I have been keeping for every day of this trip. Additionally, I have been collecting "life stories" on our bike rides, which has somewhat replaced my bios that I had been writing. It has been great to hear in depth descriptions of people's lives up until this point. It is amazing how all the pieces of what you know about someone fall into place when you really understand where they are coming from and where they have been.

Anywho now I am back, and surprisingly, we are nearly to California!! Currently we are in Wickenburg, Arizona. You could say we are in the middle of the desert. I saw my first real giant cactus today, a moment I had been waiting for. But let me back up and sum up a bit of what has been happening in the last few states.

Oklahoma and Kansas- WHEAT. Lots and lots of golden wheat fields as far as the eye can see. Full vision consumed by wheat and sky. We had our first taste of the west when we stopped by a Rodeo on our way to Ponca City, OK where we met a women's ranch rodeo champion and talked with her about all of the challenging events she competed in. In Coldwater, KS, Sami and I enjoyed a drink with some locals and learned about tractor racing. We camped out there by a lake, which was fun but HOT. We rode into town and the bank sign read 104 degrees. Perhaps the only thing that was not fun about OK and KS was the wind. Headwinds are absolutely terrible. But the one day we had a tailwind into Dodge City was great!

Colorado- BEAUTIFUL. Colorado was amazing. We conquered the rockies and the western atmosphere seeped even more into our adventures. We stayed on a Ranch in Chico Basin, where we drove 10+ miles across gravel and sand (I learned quickly how to ride fishtails). Once there, we enjoyed a herd of horses that galloped past our tents just as a beautiful rainbow crossed the sky. A picture book. However, the ranch day also marked the beginning of THE SICKNESS, a nasty virus that ultimately claimed the health of about 12 of our riders. Luckily I escaped unscathed and everyone was better withing a few days. We had 2 build days in Colorado Springs, where we built a foundation of a home. Another group of Bike and Builders intended to come in and complete the home over several days, but sadly rumor has it that complications may have prevented that from happening. The next several days were a string of difficult rides, but gorgeous scenery. Buena Vista was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. One one decent, the scene was so huge and magnificent I could have sworn ancient Greek Gods were about to descend from the heavens. We had a day off in Gunnison after we climbed up Monarch Pass at 11,312 feet- our highest elevation!(see top photo) There, a group of us went rafting, which was a ton of fun. I had my first major "bonking" experience the next day into Ridgway. That was definitely my most difficult ride of the trip. I was ready to breakdown at the end, primarily due to a really long day and intense headwinds in the last 20 miles. Those really mess with your head. But then I had a pretty good ride into Durango on the fourth of july, and we all enjoyed an entertaining fireworks display and night out on the town. I took a much needed rest day in Durango after several days of climbing mountains.

Utah- We were rerouted from the original route to Bluff, UT and spent a day in the state. We camped again, and caught our first sights of the DESERT. Brian, Marcus and I did a little rock climbing/scrambling and reached the top of some giant rocks with a lookout over a watering hole that some of us went swimming in.

Arizona- We are in Arizona now. We started out in Kayenta, which was a gorgeous ride with beautiful red rocks and awesome descents that lasted for miles. There were several where I cruised along at 30+ mph for minutes at a time. The expansive stretches of sand, grass and rock contained the most unbelievable range of colors. The complimentary color pairs were what impressed me the most- purple next to yellow, green next to red, orange next to blue. I love it. Then we saw the Grand Canyon. And what can I say; it was grand and it was a freakin big canyon. The views from that day and the feeling of riding 25 miles along the rim are memories I will remember forever. After the canyon, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Arizona has beautiful wooded mountains! If you are at all like me, and have not traveled to Arizona before, you may have had the same mental image I had of lots of dust and sand. But we have also had the first rain we have had in a while here! go figure.

Anyway, that is what we have been up to in "brief"! I best be going now because Joe needs the computer. I'll try to update again soon with the happenings of our final week. Can't believe we have come so far.

Nearly Halfway Already?!!!

I can hardly believe it but we are well into out trip and should be reaching our halfway point in just a matter of days!! I believe we have done about 1600 miles to date since we left Nags Head, NC. And since then we have also had 7 build days. It has been the most incredible summer so far.

Each day is a new adventure, from rainstorms, to taking fu(ny) pictures and playing silly games, meeting new people, experiencing small town life and sometimes big city stresses. I can not imagine a better way to see this beautiful country. I am just beginning to understand the love of cycling. Each day now, rather than convincing myself to pick myself up out of bed, I wake up excited to ride my bike. And if I must say so myself, I am getting pretty darn good at it. I no longer have to stop on big hills, I can clip in and out of my pedals- no problem. I can navigate the road, predicting pavement patterns and can communicate effectively with other riders.

I am even learning tricks of the trade to read the land. I do occasionally pull out my old teachings from Outward Bound when we are in the mountains, such as reading land features to see if we have reached our highest elevation. However, i am also learning how to read man. For example, water towers often signify a high elevation, and railroad tracks probably indicate stretches of flat land. It all comes from experience, like many things in life. I find I am learning more than I could ever imagine on this trip, and I am continually amazed at just how diverse America is, both in land and people.

I will have to share more specific stories and some more rider profiles soon, but I believe we are taking a spontaneous adventure down to the lake by Grove, Oklahoma. It is just outside the church we are staying at! I'll write again soon!

A Day of Rest and Learning

Today was our first day off in Memphis, TN. My experience of Memphis has been very different from the rest of the state, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Last night we explored a bit of the night life on Beale street. I was one of 5 lucky bike and builders who arrived in style, stepping from our friend Dre's tricked out car. Our ears were ringing a bit from the blaring music (which we chose over the videos that could have played on tvs installed in the back of the two front seats), but I couldn't stop grinning. Dre told us, "I could turn it down but it would still be loud." It was the sweetest ride I've ever taken in a car. Dre is one of the original Beale Street Flipperz, but now primarily raps. He is a pretty neat guy and very nice.

In the city, we roamed the brick street lined with neon lights advertising blues and booze. We settled on the Rum Boogie Cafe and saw an awesome live performance by a local band. They were really impressive. I immersed myself in the musical genius their fingers created and savored the jazzy goodness over french fries. After the band finished though, I headed back to our host pretty early to ensure a full nights sleep.

Today, Josh, Ray, Amy, and I spent the day exploring Memphis's contemporary culture and rich history. We had breakfast at a local diner before conquering the Memphis public transit system. Getting downtown started out a bit rocky, but we figured it out and made it to town without any troubles. We even talked with Larry, a local, and told him about Bike and Build. He was interested and impressed with what we were doing, and helped us find the trolley to take to the Civil Right Museum.

The Museum was great and extremely comprehensive! It was a new experience for me to see the entire civil rights movement from slaver to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr laid out before me. The displays covered full rooms. I learned a lot about key people in the movement, some I had heard of and some I had not. We also watched a documentary about the assassination of MLK. Prior to today, I was not aware that he had been killed in Memphis. Somehow I had forgotten that detail since we had studied it in High School. The Lorraine Hotel he had been staying at and where he was shot, has been converted into the Civil Rights Museum. However, much of the room and scene from the shooting have been replicated to resemble that fateful day.

After the museum we successfully navigated the bus system again and made it back to our host in time to check out the local BBQ joint- Central Barbecue. Ribs and a cola was exactly what I needed after a long hot day. Tomorrow we hit the road again with a 70ish mile day I believe. We will be crossing two state lines tomorrow! we will dip down into Mississippi for a little bit before crossing into Arkansas. For this, we will be WALKING our bikes over the Mississippi river! (Apparently there is a lot of glass on the bridge.)


Meet Josh Stutte

I have been privileged enough to ride a few days with Josh or "Stutte," (pronounced "stootee" ). Josh is one of the people I have had many serious and meaningful conversations with on this trip. I always appreciate hearing his perspective on debates or issues and have already learned a lot from him. (His name is also fun to place into popular songs...a routine bike and build activity.)

Not a day goes by when Josh does not proclaim his excitement about Bike and Build, its mission, and of course, about riding his bike. He he loves physical challenges. He participates in everything from marathons and triathalons, to long distance cycling or soccer. He once rode 120 miles in one day, just to pick up some mail at his school, what I would call economic travel to the max. I don't think we will be riding that far in one day on this trip, but it definitely a feat to aspire too.

Josh is from Titusville, Florida, or so he claims it as his home. He was actually born in Maryland but moved to Florida with his parents and older brother John when he was very young. Josh just graduated from Stetson University with a degree in the Humanities. Josh and I often talk about issues surrounding social justice and religious studies. He has mentioned to me that he is fascinated in religion "because it plays such a huge factor in what people do and how they act", which is a fact I am discovering to be true even throughout this trip.

Tennessee!

I apologize for the long time lapse between posts. Things seem to be going fast and slow at the same time lately. It is hard to believe we are nearly 1000 miles into our journey and have already passed into the Central time zone! To add to the remoteness of this journey- on top of stolen laptops and patchy internet access, my phone has now ceased to work as well. So, for any of you who may try to contact me- stick to email or facebook for the next week or so!

Anyways, this week has been really interesting. After some amazing days on the Blue Ridge Parkway (and HUGE climbs), we coasted our way into Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I would not argue with the notion that Gatlinburg is the "Myrtle Beach of the Mountains." We will just say it was not our favorite city, which might have had something to do with the fact that we could not even bike through town because of the Memorial Day traffic and piles of pedestrians. We camped in tents that night though, and I will say that was the best night of sleep I have received yet. It was very tough to get up in the morning with the restful sound of rain outside.

I have not spent much time in Tennessee before, so I am learning a lot about the culture of my neighbors. One of the first experiences we had in Tennessee was a build day in Maryville. As unique as its southern pronunciation, Maryville showed us a good time. From carpeted basketball courts to NASCAR themed bowling alleys, we have tasted a southern experience unknown to most, even us North Carolinians. Perhaps the most special part of our time in Maryville was when we were able to complete an entire floor structuring for Stephanie, a new home owner we met and built with. She was very appreciative of our help and told us about her two children. It was a moment that reminded us all of why we are on this trip.

Other memorable moments from Tennessee include many long rides and some slow talkers. Sometimes I feel as if I have stepped smack into the middle of a country song, being played out right before my eyes. It has definitely been an eye-opening few days. It is a wonder just how far away some people live from even basic commodities. We have passed an immense number of yard sales in the last few days, which are located in the most far out places and set up at crazy times, like 11am on a Wednesday. It makes me wonder if these yard sales are a common shopping choice for some of these households? I don't know, but like I said, it has been interesting.

Sweetwater, TN was probably one of my favorite places we have been to so far. The people were extremely friendly and we had an incredible pot luck dinner that stretched on and on and on. And they loaded us up with cookies and pound cake to go! It was a short ride into Sweetwater, so a two and a half hour nap was another highlight of that day. I don't know if I've ever felt so refreshed after a nap before. I felt like a new person.

We stayed at the National Guard Armory in Dunlap, TN last night, which was a really neat host site with very friendly hosts. And tonight we are in Winchester, TN, probably the biggest city we have been to since Gatlinburg. It was a beastly steep climb over Daus Mountain this morning, but an easy afternoon of rollers after lunch. We did a little exploration around downtown this afternoon, making a bit of a stir across town. Thirty two casual young adults roaming in flocks can do that pretty easily I've found. Speaking of roaming, we have seen lots of awesome cow and horse farms in the last few days which has been super entertaining, at least for me!

Okay, I know I haven't done bios in a while, so here is one!

Sami Feld


( Sami is on the left, Cathleen is on the Right)

I believe Sami and I have a lot in common. What I love most about Sami is her desire to help people, and her great smile that reaches all the way up to her eyes. Sami just graduated from NYU with a degree in Public Health. Like myself, she is considering graduate school for public health, or possibly social work. Sami grew up in the San Francisco Bay area in California with her parents, sister Zoe, and dog Buddy, who is an adorable bichon frise. Yes, the fuzzy white yippie dogs. VERY cute, I saw pictures. Her Dad is a doctor and mother was a nurse. AND her sister is headed on a pre-med track at Barnard at Columbia. Naturally, Sami comes from a giving family.

Sami has had some very interesting passions and jobs over the last few years. She has worked with the Clinton foundation, ran a program at NYU which focused on diminishing waste in dining halls by distributing leftoovers to homeless shelters, and even helped set up chicken coops in low income community gardens with an organization called Just Food. The eggs these chickens laid were sold at farmers markets as a source of income for the local families. I got to see some pretty awesome photos from this job too. Sami holding a chicken = GREAT. She has also been active in promoting awareness for the call to free the hikers who are currently being detained in Iran. Her friend Josh Fattal has been detained in Iran since July 31, 2009, when news reports say they accidentally crossed an unmarked border during a hiking trip in the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan. You can find out more at www.freethehikers.org.

And that's Sami!

Okay I should let someone else use our computer now. But before I do, just one more shout out! One of the guys on our trip, Myles, is competing in the Pepsi Refresh Challenge by entering Bike and Build as a Cause. And he is in the top 150! PLEASE REGISTER AND VOTE ONLINE SO WE CAN GET ANOTHER $5000 FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING! Once you register, you can vote once a day from now until the end of the competition on June 30th. Check it out! www.refresheverything.com/bikeandbuild

A Beautiful Ride

We are currently spending some time in Asheville for our second session of build days. It has been a nice break for our bodies. And it came at a pretty opportune time because I'm not sure how much more my body could take! The last few days have been the hardest we will probably have all summer. On Wednesday, we climbed 6100 feet to complete a very difficult 80 mile ride. However, it was also one of the most beautiful rides I will probably have. We spent 65 of the 80 miles riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The climbs were challenging, but the views were totally worth it. It was great to watch the mountains change from the foggy valleys of the morning, to the hot and muggy late morning, and finally to the cooler afternoon, when we reached our highest elevation. What was particularly cool, was recognizing some of the land features, rivers, and points of interest from my time with Outward Bound last summer. We saw Table Rock, crossed over Wilson Creek, and even biked up most of Mt. Mitchell!

It took us hours to climb up the mountains, but just minutes to soar down them. It was incredible to feel the turns and the speed. After averaging a whopping 4 or 5 mph going up hills, it was great to feel the thrill of several minutes of downhill. On most of the downhill sections, I fluctuated between 25 and 35 mph for stretches of 2 to 12 miles. It was exhilarating for sure. The only part that was a bit scary was this long construction zone where there were too many pot holes to even yell out to those behind you. You basically went in and hoped for the best!

The build days have been relaxed, and I learned how to put in windows with Joe and Daniel.

But my internet time is running out so have to go! Love you all, and will upload photos as soon as I get to a computer capable of it!

Shortest Blog Post Ever

Hey this will be brief because I HAVE to go to bed. Today we climbed a mountain on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was ridiculous. And gorgeous. Annnnd I'm exhausted. There is not much more to say. Pictures will be coming soon, so stay tuned because they are AWESOME.

Love you all and will be in touch!

Playing Catch Up (May 24th)

So, I haven’t written in a few days and that is for two reasons, one good and one bad. First, I have been so crazy busy and exhausted I simply haven’t had time to sit down for more than a few minutes to even reflect on the past week! Second, my laptop was stolen in Chapel Hill. Soooo, that means my posts may be a bit fewer and farther in between than I had originally hoped. But other than that, this summer has continued to be amazing. It seems like I have been with this group of people for months, not days. Together we have already biked until we no longer know what a “normal” butt feels like, built homes for more than 15 hours, and made fools of ourselves in innumerable ways.

We spent several days this weekend in the place I will forever call home: Chapel Hill, NC. Luckily, I was able to see some of my roommates from this year and enjoy some sweet showers from at our house, which involved cramming 3 tall young men and me into the passenger seats of Amy’s mustang. I also saw some of my other good friends who even came and cooked for our pot luck dinner! Thanks so much to you all. You are awesome and I love you!

On my first build days of the summer, I continued to learn the art of vinyl siding. I even learned how to use a new saw, though I can’t remember the name. It’s the one that you push on straight lines with a spinning circle blade. Yea, that one. I also got to hammer in some tar paper to help waterproof a roof. The sun was really hot up there! But an afternoon shower cooled us all off. We all really felt a sense of accomplishment when we saw the tangible results of a hard day’s work. Some of our group even had the opportunity to see a dedication of a completed home. I did not attend, but I heard that it was extremely touching and the new home owners even played songs and provided food for their guests.

True to its name, with Chapel Hill came the start of the rolling Piedmont. The last two days have been really tough. Everyone is sore and exhausted. Yesterday we completed a 84 mile up and down ride into Winston Salem, and some long gradual hills rounded out a 63 mile ride this morning. A nasty headwind prevented us from getting up much speed, which added to my fatigue. But, after some delicious meals, once again we were all up and at them when we got into Taylorsville tonight, where many of us rallied up a fierce few games of Knock-Out in the church gym.

And now, introducing (in brief):

Ray Antonelli

Ray is probably one of the people I’ve gotten to know the best so far this summer. We rode together today and often play cards or have good conversations in the evenings about everything from childhood obsessions about lemurs or airplanes to discussions about families, people, school, or simply sharing our perspectives on today’s society.
Ray is a hard worker with a big heart and even bigger smile! He grew up in Pittsboro, NC with his parents and sister Rayanne (all of whom I met briefly in Chapel Hill!). His dad and sister work at Nice Price Books in Carrboro, NC, which is very close to where I lived this year. Spending time in and working at a bookstore is one of the many jobs I aspire to have one day. I don’t think there are many things cooler than working in a book shop- so many stories, so much knowledge.

Ray will be a senior next year at NC State University where he is studying biochemistry. He hopes to go to medical school in the years following undergrad to become (possibly) a primary physician (though it is the scientific parts of medicine that most interest him). And with his baller MCAT scores and GPA, I have no doubts he will be successful. And so cheerful is Ray, in fact, that he has picked up the nickname “Sunshine.” And indeed, I believe he brings a Ray of sunshine to our group each day.

Rural North Carolina...in the Rain

Since my last entry, we have experienced much rain and rural North Carolina Culture. We are officially on the road! The last three days have included mileages of 67 on Sunday, 35 yesterday, and 50 this morning.

Our first day of riding was great! The weather was amazing and we were all in high spirits. After crossing some loooong seaside bridges, we headed straight, and I do mean STRAIGHT down to Swan Quarter, NC, south of the Outer Banks. I don't think I've ever seen a straighter or flatter road. The people there were really nice and the the Soule Methodist Church hosted us for some incredible meals. We were even able to share a dinner with graduating high school seniors. Fun fact: Swan Quarter has the smallest public school system in the state. Meaning, the have two public schools, total. We had the privilege of showering in one of their gyms at the school across the street from the church. That school held K-12 grades, and had a little over 600 students, total.

After an incredible breakfast (pancakes and sausage and fruit!) we enjoyed the shortest day of our summer journey while we moseyed over to Belhaven, NC. Fun Fact: Belhaven is home of Little Eva, who sang Locomotion. you know- comeon baby do the locomotion! Yea fun stuff. In Belhaven we took a dip in a HOT TUB at a local family's home, played some games and frolic-ed at the community center, and ate DELICIOUS seafood at the local oyster bar. After a great presentation (and goodie bags from the local kids with really cute cards) we had a drink and chill time at the town pool hall.

From Bike and Build (North Carolina)

Fun in Belhaven, NC

Today we headed out with a warm welcome and yummy greasy cheese biscuits from out kind church host at the Trinity United Methodist Church and pedaled about 50 miles in off-and-on rain. We had a few scary but minor accidents along the way due to wet train tracks and some day dreaming. But everyone is fine and Andrew (who I wrote about in my last entry) is officially hardcore in my book. He ended up riding the last 15 miles of the day with some nasty road rash on his leg.

We just settled into the Jarvis Memorial United Methodist Church. I enjoyed a pit stop at a nearby Wendy's and inhaled a cheeseburger and fries. You would not believe how much you can eat when you are cycling. And now for tonight's rider profile!

From Bike and Build (North Carolina)

(Sean is on the left in his Lance Armstrong Yellow helmet)

Xiangnan Xing aka "Sean"
Sean is actually my partner for the educational portion of our B&B experience. Every week or so pairs of riders give presentations to the group on topics and issues surrounding the Affordable Housing Crisis. Because the listing are alphabetical, Sean and I will not be presenting until we reach the pacific coast. We will be presenting on Green Homes! yay! Anyway, I first met Sean at orientation, but got to know him better through riding together the first day and today. Sean is an adventurous type. I often catch him weaving pot holes and sprinting ahead, his bright yellow rain jacket unzipped and flapping behind him. Sean was born in Bejing, China and moved to the outskirts of Monteal in Canada when he was four. He lived there for six years until he moved to Ames, Iowa when he was ten and became and Iowa State Cyclones fan, but now he is a die-hard Tar Heel fan/lunatic and student at UNC studying Biology. Half of his clothing/bike accessories sport a beautiful Carolina Blue. Sean has been cycling most of his life, but says this is the first time he has worn spandex and sported clip-on shoes. Sean wants to be an environmental lawyer. Sean has a sister and both his parents here in the US, but the rest of his family is still in China. But his sister is coming to the US for college! Sean likes a lot of sports too including everything from fishing to tennis and basketball. He claims to be "a prince of all trades but a master of none." But I beg to differ. Mastery has many definitions, and I'd call Sean a "master" of many endeavors.

Getting geared up....literally

Yesterday and today were the first two days of my Bike and Build adventure! So far, we have been dressed, fitted, drilled, and thrown into a pile of exciting information about the journey in front of us. I now know how to change a flat tire, for instance! (very important). We kicked off the weekend with some rules, basic bike maintenance instruction, and ice breaker games. And last night we had a fantastic late night jaunt across, over, and through some rather large sand dunes.

If you did not know, there are about 33 of us. So there are a lot of names to learn! It is my goal to meet up with each and every one of my crew mates and get to know each throughout this summer. And so in order to ensure this happens, I am going to attempt to write mini profiles about each of my new friends, with one or two included with each of my entries. Today I am starting with Andrew Linville.

Andrew Linville
"
Andrew is a BFG. (Thats a "big friendly giant for all of you non Roald Dahl fanatics). Meaning, Andrew is very tall and very nice. I had the privilege of riding (in a car) from Chapel Hill to Nags Head with him and my Dad. Andrew has spent the last two years of school at Davidson College, but has spent most of his life in the lovely New York City. He has one brother and some pretty smart parents. With a father who has been a lawyer and a mother who has her own landscaping business, it is no wonder he is such an observant and thoughtful person. I found it especially impressive that, as a sophomore, he has lead several outdoor trips for Davidson students, including pre-orientation trips for incoming Freshman last summer. Coincidentally, my NC Outward Bound crew ran into one of these such groups on the French Broad River. I remember because they had awesome big red canoes that said "Davidson" on the side. I look forward to getting to know Andrew even more over the coming weeks! Below is a photo of him helping paint our van that will hold all of our stuff this summer. You can read more about Andrew on his bio page: http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/3713

From Bike and Build (North Carolina)

Today we also biked from Nags Head to the Bodie Island Lighthouse. The short 20 miles rounded me up to my 500 pre-trip milage, and we even learned a little of NC coastal history. For instance, did you know that the lighthouses are meant to be constructed very close to 40 miles apart from each other so the ships would be able to see both as the reached the shore? Even so, it is incredible how many ships have been claimed by the OBX. After that, we biked to some public showers and after a dip in the ocean and a scrubily bubbly, we stopped on the way home for ice cream.I had some german chocolate and coffee ice cream...mmmmm.

From Bike and Build (North Carolina)

Well, I best get going to dinner!

FAQs and Departure Details!!

Total Funds Raised: $7322.42
Total Miles on my New Bike: 480 miles
Longest Ride to date: 50 miles

So the time has come. I am less than 48 hours from my Bike and Build Orientation in Nags Head, NC! And so, I would like to leave you all with some answers to the most frequently asked questions I get about my Bike and Build adventure, as well as some ways to keep in touch!

Frequently Asked Questions

When do you leave and how long is your trip?
My adventure starts Friday, May 14th at 2pm at Nags Head, NC, and will commence on July 22nd in San Diego California. Therefore, I will be gone for about 10 weeks. (see the end of the FAQs for a more detailed schedule)

How many miles do you average a day?
I will start out with shorter rides, but grow to average about 75 miles a day.

Where do you stay at night?
Along the way we will stay in churches, synagogues, schools, YMCAs, campgrounds, community centers, and more that are prearranged by our Trip Leaders. These hospitable hosts will arrange for showering facilities and introduce us to the local food and culture.

That all sounds great! Will I be able to keep in touch with you while you are away?!
Yes!! And here are three easy ways to keep in touch with me!

1) This Blog.
I will do my best to update it frequently, so be sure to keep checking back. If you would like nifty e-mail notifications when I update my blog please e-mail me at iamroshon@gmail.com to let me know you would like to be added to my mailing list.

2)Letters!
If you want to send me letters and/or packages (a ticket to eternal friendship), you can mail them to designated "mail drops" which we will roll by about once a week. Be sure to check the dates of these drops as we will not be turning back around to pick up any stragglers. The dates and addresses for my route are as follows:

Address to:

Bike & Build
Attn: Allison Young
General Delivery
STREET ADDRESS (if noted)
CITY, ST ZIP

May 20
Chapel Hill NC, 27514
May 26
Downtown Asheville 28802
June 03
Dunlap, TN 37327
June 10
Brinkley, AR 72021
June 17
Bartlesville, OK 74003
June 24
Lamar, CO 81052
July 01
Gunnison, CO 81230
July 08
Kayenta, AZ 86033
July 13
Prescott AZ 86301


3)Good ol' Cell Phone!
I will have my cell phone the entire time. And though reception may be patchy at times, I would LOVE to hear from you! 704.564.7984

Sweet! Are there any other places I can look to keep up with where you are and what you are doing?
There are a two other websites that may be handy in addition to my blog.
www.bikeandbuild.org - General Bike and Build Information
https://sites.google.com/a/bikeandbuild.org/nc2sd-2010-info-zone/ - the NC2SD Route website

And below is a more detailed description of where I will be and when.


05/14 Nags Head - NC 0
05/15 Nags Head - NC 0
05/16 Swanquarter - NC 66
05/17 Belhaven - NC 34
05/18 Greenville - NC 58
05/19 Wake Forest - NC 79
05/20 Chapel Hill - NC 39


05/21 BUILD DAY 0
05/22 BUILD DAY 0
05/23 Winston-Salem - NC 89
05/24 Taylorsville - NC 70
05/25 Newland - NC 65
05/26 Asheville - NC 79
05/27 BUILD DAY 0


05/28 BUILD DAY 0
05/29 Waynesville - NC 40
05/30 Gatlinburg - TN 60
05/31 Maryville - TN 45
06/1 BUILD DAY 0
06/2 Sweetwater - TN 39
06/3 Dunlap - TN 79


06/4 Winchester - TN 44
06/5 Pulaski - TN 85
06/6 Adamsville - TN 85
06/7 Bolivar - TN 38
06/8 Memphis - TN 56
06/9 DAY OFF 0
06/10 Brinkley - AR 91


06/11 Little Rock - AR 68
06/12 BUILD DAY 0
06/13 Clarksville - AR 101
06/14 Fayetteville - AR 89
06/15 BUILD DAY 0
06/16 Grove - OK 77
06/17 Bartlesville - OK 68


06/18 BUILD DAY 0
06/19 Ponca City - OK 71
06/20 Cherokee - OK 80
06/21 Coldwater - KS 89
06/22 Dodge City - KS 67
06/23 Garden City - KS 53
06/24 Lamar - CO 102


06/25 Rocky Ford - CO 75
06/26 Pueblo - CO 55
06/27 Colorado Springs - CO 70
06/28 BUILD DAY 0
06/29 BUILD DAY 0
06/30 Buena Vista - CO 102
07/1 Gunnison - CO 85


07/2 DAY OFF 0
07/3 Ridgeway - CO 101
07/4 Durango - CO 70
07/5 DAY OFF 0
07/6 Cortez - CO 45
07/7 Teec Nos Pos - AZ 65
07/8 Kayenta - AZ 58


07/9 Tuba City - AZ 75
07/10 Grand Canyon - AZ 78
07/11 DAY OFF 0
07/12 Williams - AZ 81
07/13 Prescott - AZ 70
07/14 BUILD DAY 0
07/15 BUILD DAY 0


07/16 Wickenburg - AZ 58
07/17 Wenden - AZ 48
07/18 Blythe - CA 65
07/19 Brawley - CA 88
07/20 Julian - CA 68
07/21 El Cajon - CA 49
07/22 SAN DIEGO - CA 31

Total Mileage: 3543


YAY! Ready or not, off I go!

Tubes and Wii Ski: An Anatomy Lesson

Total Funds Raised: $7262.42 (We did it!!!!!)
Total Miles on my New Bike: 300 miles
Longest Ride to date: 40 miles

Hey again! It is my greatest pleasure to report that we have reached my $7000 fund raising goal, and even surpassed it! What an amazing feat we have achieved, thank you all again for your support!

Unfortunately my training has not been quite as victorious in the last two weeks. Between traveling and a lingering cold, I haven't made it out on my bike as much as I would have liked since my last entry. However, I do not think I will have too much trouble reaching the required 500 miles. I do need to get in some Habitat builds though! It seems like they just have not coordinated with my schedule in the last few weeks.

However, I did finally buy the rest of my bike gear! I have never bought so much stuff that I had no idea how to use. But, I am now tuned up, equipped, and waterproofed for my cross country adventure. Slowly but surely I am also learning more about my bike. I even learned how to tuck going down hills from one of my leaders, Nate! He basically described it as finding a forward balance over your front tire, similar to placing the little red dot over the "speed spot" on the ski jump game on Wii fit. I found this to be a very amusing and somehow extremely appropriate analogy coming from Nate. And though I have not quite mastered getting my bootie on and off the seat for the most effective crouch position over the top tube (i'm learning my bike parts!), I did get up to a speed of 38 mph on one really big hill!!! I was exhilarated by the feeling of speed as I achieved tunnel vision, whizzing past blurred visions of trees. It was incredible.

If you want to learn more bike anatomy along with me, here is a diagram of a typical road bike:


Also, I know several people have asked me about the dates and places I will be traveling this summer. My journey begins May 14th and I will be traveling until July 22nd. Below is an image one of my leaders made of the route we will be taking this summer. It also has the names of all the people who are riding with me on a map over where they are from. I'll be posting a more detailed list of where we will be and when closer to our departure date.




You can also find out more about my ride at the NC2SD website our leaders made!

On a slightly unrelated note, I got a job with AmeriCorps for next year! Yay! I am very excited to announce that I will be living in Washington DC with four other ambitious young adult volunteers as a member of the Westmoreland Volunteer Corps. The Westmoreland United Church of Christ will provide housing and community support for the five of us while we each work with social service agencies in the DC area. I will more than likely be working at the Sasha Bruce House, a safe home for teens. It is all very exciting. If circumstances allow, I hope to keep a blog on my experiences there as well.

Anyway, I had best get back to school work. The traveling and cold have kept me from that for a while as well, so it is time to play catch up. Hope you are all well, and take care!

Seek the Joy of Being Alive

Total Funds Raised: $6, 572.42
(I'm so close to my $7000 goal! If you haven't donated yet, now is the time!)
Total Miles on my New Bike: 195 miles
Longest Ride to date: 40 miles

"Be joyful. Seek the joy of being alive"

This is my favorite of the woodcraft laws I learned many years ago at Green River Preserve. And it was this phrase that came to me as I was riding my bike on Sunday afternoon. As I pushed up an enormous hill, rain pelting my face and fierce winds threatening to roll me backwards or off the road, a somewhat gritted-teeth rendition of "Living on a prayer" carried me up and over. As I was finally able to sit up and coast down the hill, this phrase filled my head. seek the joy of being alive. I felt clean and fresh as I took in the beautiful multicolored sky, brushed by blues, purples and grays. Textured clouds moved quickly and I could feel the rain gathering in my shoes. Soggy feet and all, the experience was simply fantastic. I am thankful on every ride I take for the ability and the opportunity to do all that I do.

With all of the uncertainties about where I will be next year, it seems I am meeting more and more people who just don't seem to know what they might want in the long term. But I have also realized that it really is the little things, the everyday wonders that really matter. So, here is a toast to time. Slow it down, I say. Realize where you are at before you try to figure out where you are going.

And if all else fails, go for a 40 mile bike ride in the rain.

On another note, I am less than $500 from my $7000 fundraising goal! THANK YOU AGAIN. Unfortunately, I was not able to participate in a build this weekend because I had too much school work, but I know the time will come soon and I am looking forward to it.

Also, here is a great opportunity for you to take part in my adventure. If you haven't had a chance to read any of the materials on my blog or in the letters I sent (or even if you have!), I strongly encourage you to watch this 5 minute video on the Affordable Housing Crisis. And if you like it, share it with your family or a few close friends. The video covers the basics of the housing crisis in the US with significant statistics that really bring this issue to life. It was created in Philadelphia, but illustrates the issue as a whole. Plus, it has a pretty sweet backtrack by Jose Gonzalez.


Source: MiND TV (www.mindtv.org)


I hope you all have similar opportunities to seek the joy of being alive each day. And when you get those "ah-ha!" moments about how awesome your life is, I'd love to hear about them.

Thanks :)
P.S. If this post had a backtrack , this would be it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIhm94a-8SE

Making Progress

Total Funds Raised: $6, 172.42
Total Miles on my New Bike: 135 miles
Longest Ride to date: 32 miles

Hey everyone! Just an update to let you know that training is now fully underway and I am loving it. The fantastic spring weather hasn't hurt either! I am trying to get in 3 rides a week with at least one of them totaling 30 miles. I also found a really great 20 mile route that has some nice little hills on it, which definitely gets the cardio pumpin.

Next on my list is to start collecting the rest of my bike gear and start learning more about how to maintain my bike. There is so much to learn! I can not wait until it all becomes second nature to me. It is all so exciting.

I am hoping to participate in a habitat build this weekend and maybe get together with some Bike and Builders again for another longer ride on Sunday. I'm ready to up the ante!

Before I close this brief entry, I wanted to leave you with another educational news tidbit. Below is an opinion piece published last week on the the News and Observer website regarding Wake County Schools and affordable housing. As you may know, there has been a discussion on changing the district's policies on busing students to achieve diversity. The county is scheduled to vote today on whether to end the policy. You can read more about the vote here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/03/23/403142/nc-school-board-set-for-vote-on.html?storylink=misearch#ixzz0j1r6QjLS

Letter to the editor: Housing the answer

The solution to the current debate regarding Wake County schools is to have schools that are both economically diverse and neighborhood-based. To achieve this, we need diverse neighborhoods, not concentrations of wealth or poverty. The key is the availability of quality, affordable housing, as well as the schools, transportation choices and neighborhood businesses, services and recreational facilities that make for sustainable communities.

Until more progress is made in these essential areas, other means are required to provide high-quality education countywide, including the current magnet system and student assignment policy.

Ultimately, it's just the right thing to do. A mature citizenry combines personal perspectives with a commitment to the common good. In this way, we can create a better future for all of our Wake County neighbors.

Thomas Barrie

Professor of architecture, N.C. State University, Raleigh

Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/03/21/397761/housing-the-answer.html?storylink=misearch#ixzz0j1q4OlhO

Learning to Clip and Climb (MY NEW BIKE!)

I got my bike! It arrived in a giant package on my doorstep about two weeks ago! I expected it to be a huge ordeal to drag it down the stairs to my room to unpack it, but road bikes are actually unbelievably light. In fact, getting it down the stairs ended up being the smallest task in the wrap to roll process. After removing all of the packaging I discovered that the simple re-assembly process involved removing some serious zip ties...you know, the ones the cops use in downtown Charlotte on New Years Eve. So....about five pairs of scissors and a week later I was able to locate some wire clippers strong enough to free my bike (thanks Neha!)

Putting on the seat!

(Neha should also be thanked for documenting the re-assembly process. Yay for the very first photos of my new baby!)

After a short ride to get used to the gears, I learned how to switch up and down as I climbed and descended hills, which is actually much different than on a mountain bike. Rather than spinning dials, you push the brake grips to the side. This took me longer than it should have to figure out, and I was actually stuck in a really high gear for a while because I got excited and kept switching it up until I realized I didn't know how to go back down again. that made climbing the hills a bit more challenging. But my friend Vince informed me that there are in fact two levers on the brake grips...go figure. Anyway, I have the hang of it now.

Weekend before last I went for my first longish ride with my bike- 30 miles! It was really awesome. I met some fellow Bike and Builders, including 2 that are going to be on my trip. Nathan, one of the guys I met is one of our 4 leaders, and John is a Junior at NC State. They were both really nice, helpful, and a lot of fun. This summer is going to be amazing. Caroline, another girl we rode with was also really helpful with remedying some of my "rookie mistakes" so I am grateful for her advice and guidance!

This weekend, I conquered THE PEDALS. Yes I can now dismount my bike with my shoes tied...or something like that. I still may spaz out a bit at stoplights (starting off partially clipped in is the hardest part), but for the most part I can handle the clip in shoes like a pro...well, okay, maybe more like a rookie. But I didn't fall!

Now lets look at more pics of my baby! Ohhh! Ahhh!

I was amazed at how shiny the gears were and made Neha take a picture And I'm off!!

BTW, my bike needs a name. Suggestions are welcome! Might be a fun little contest. Winner gets 3542 brownie points from me and recognition on my blog...what more could you want?! Laterz.

THANK YOU!!

I want to send a great big THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have contributed to my ride and donated to such a great cause! Thanks to YOU, I have raised nearly $6000 so far! After such a successful few weeks, I decide to raise my fund raising goal to $7000. I know we can reach it! I truly truly appreciate all of your support.

After reaching my first fund raising goal, I was able to order my bike. A fantastic Giant Duffy 2 should be arriving on my doorstep in the next week or so! I am excited to finally get out and on my bike to really get my training started. Now that the half a foot of snow that covered the triangle area has completely melted, I expect my work out routines will be much more consistent.

Another thought I wanted to touch on in this blog entry involves another important person in my life. My grandfather, James Henry Young Sr. was a large advocate for this cause as well. Thank you so much to those of you who have reminded me of all the service he did in Anderson, South Carolina when he was living. Papa is another person who has had a huge influence on my commitment to my community. His dedication to his church, patients, and local community was admirable and its impact is still apparent today. From what others have told me, I have learned that Papa was a leader in the Community Development Company, which helped to create the Friendship Court Apartments (I believe you can read about it here) . Apparently there is even a monument in Anderson on Mauldin St which honors the members of the Community Development Company(Corporation?). I hope I will be able to see it next time I visit the area to see my family.

Anyway, I'll be sure to update with pics of my bike when I get it, so be sure to keep checking in!

The Ride Begins!

I can not believe we are already well into January! In just over a week I will be turning 22. In just under four months, I will be graduating from college. And less than a week after that, I will be heading out on one of the greatest adventures of my life! I am so excited about bike and build. I encourage you to learn more about the program and the affordable housing crisis by visiting the links on the side of my blog!

I can not think of anything better than getting up in the morning and knowing that I will be spending the day promoting a meaningful cause and pushing myself and my limits so I can be the best person I can be.

I am so enthusiastic in fact, that I often take my new cycling shoes out of my closet and put them on just so I can look at them! The loud clip clop of the soles on tile sounds just like high heels striding across my bedroom. However the hardcore factor peaks when I see my reflection in the mirror. Ankles protruding from teal crank-style adjustment straps (like snow skis), I am ready to take on the road. That is, as soon as I learn how to snap them in and out of my bike pedals quickly. Lets put it this way, imagine trying to get off a bike with your shoes tied. That is pretty much what I imagine the incident would look like if I tried getting off my bike wearing my cycling shoes right now.

The realness of the upcoming summer dropped into place as I sent several dozen fund raising letters careening down the shiny slide of metal in the post office mailbox. It further solidified itself the moment I chose "publish event" for my "Help Allison Bike Across the Country for a Great Cause!" event on Facebook. I felt the release of the brakes, and the pedals of my future began reeling. Lets hope my final semester doesn't fly by too fast because I expect it to be one of the best yet.

My Mini Bio

Here is a little about me: (from my Donation Page)

Kia Ora, or Hello!

My name is Allison Roshon Young and I am 22 years old. I was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, and I will graduate in May 2010 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I am very excited to bike across my home state and celebrate the familiar surroundings before heading of to explore the great unknown! The physical challenge may seem a bit daunting right now, but I know with training I will be ready to ride off into the sunset!

I will graduate with a B.A. in Public Relations, but my interests are much broader than my major. I have a minor in Social Entrepreneurship and have great interest in social ventures. I love to think creatively to solve problems and enjoy helping others achieve their goals. I am interested in Psychology and Social Work and am considering pursuing a career in counseling or non-profit management. I do not know what the future holds for me now, but plan to let my heart and experiences guide me. I would love to own and run my own non-profit one day.

In my free time I enjoy spending time outside, and I'm up for any new exhilarating activity. I also work with several non profit organizations involved with bereavement services and programs which serve disconnected youth. I also volunteer each week with Helping Horse, a therapeutic horseback riding facility in Raleigh, NC. I am fascinated by people, families, and friends, and I love spontaneous dance parties.

Random fun facts about me: I have bungy jumped 134 meters, rafted down a 7 meter waterfall, and I can juggle!

I first heard about Bike and Build from a friend during my sophomore year of college. My desire to apply was strengthened again during the spring of my Junior year when one of my roommates from my study abroad program in New Zealand told me how great her experience had been.

A portion of the proceeds from my ride with Bike and Build will go to the Orange County Habitat for Humanity chapter, which is based here in the area where I am attending school. I have done builds with the Orange County chapter before, and am greatly pleased that I am able to help them build more homes and benefit my local community. On a personal note, I will be riding with Bike and Build in honor of my mother, Melinda Sue Roshon. To learn more you can visit www.melindasueroshon.com.

Bike and Build: An Introduction

This summer, I will be biking from the Outer Banks in North Carolina to San Diego, California. The trip is a part of the Bike and Build Program, which sends young adults on cross country bike trips to help build homes and give presentations on affordable housing along the way.

High cost burdens affect 43 percent of all renters, and half of these pay more than 50 percent of their income for their housing costs. In the absence of enough affordable units, households pay more money than they can afford and are constrained from meeting expenses for other basic needs such as medical care, childcare, and food.


Over the summer I will be biking 3,542 miles to inform others of this crisis and tell them how they can help. To match this great distance, I must raise $4,000 to participate in the program. As I train my legs and lungs, I hope to raise awareness among my friends and family. I hope you will become a part of my journey. I have already learned a lot about the difficulties so many individuals face at no fault of their own. If you would like to help enable this remarkable experience for a great cause, please visit My Donation Page (http://bikeandbuild.org/rider/3809) and make your meaningful contribution online.

A portion of the proceeds from this trip will go to benefit the Orange County Habitat for Humanity chapter in Orange County, North Carolina. That is right here near UNC Chapel Hill! They will use the money to fund student-run builds during the 2010-2011 school year. The remainder of the funds will be pooled into Bike & Build’s competitive grant program. The bike and build riders also have the opportunity to help decide who some of the recipients of these funds should be. So, if you know of any local youth-driven housing projects, please let me know so I can help them apply for the grants!

The following is a brief summary of the affordable housing crisis from http://www.afhh.org/comm_ar/comm_ar_crisis.htm:
The affordable housing crisis is most manifest in the gap between household income and housing costs for many Americans. This problem cuts across all boundaries: in no city, county, or other jurisdiction in the United States does a minimum wage job provide enough income for a household to afford to rent a two-bedroom home at the local fair market rate. This gap is growing: monthly housing costs grow 5-15 percent annually while the minimum wage has remained at $5.15 since 1997. In 2003, the national average wage needed to make the national average rent payment was $14.66—almost triple the minimum wage.

I encourage you to visit the Bike and Build website (www.bikeandbuild.org) to learn more about the affordable housing crisis and what is being done to help rectify the situation! And please spread the word and link to my donation page to anyone you believe may be interested in supporting the cause!