Once again I was driving and passed a few bicyclists who looked like they were on a journey. They weren't carrying gear, but I know groups often utilize a "sag," or truck that carries their gear. They rode well as a group and negotiated traffic like they had been doing this for awhile, but maybe it was the matching "Bike-n-Build" jerseys that got me curious. I stopped three of them in Ravenna, where they gave me a well-rehearsed elevator speech about their mission. These Bike-and-Build riders are traveling cross country from Providence, Rhode Island to Seattle, Washington, stopping often to spread awareness about the need for affordable housing, while several other groups are doing the same in other parts of the country. They work at Habitat for Humanity and other affordable building projects along the way, but mostly they fund affordable housing projects, mainly through rider donations. Find out more here -
http://www.bikeandbuild.org/cms/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/
The group was comprised of 27 riders of roughly college age, a perfect age to experience a cross-country ride during summer vacation and see how affordable housing, or the lack thereof, affects low-income people.
It's fascinating to me how many people pass through our area on long bike or hike trips. I don't know why, but I usually assume they are locals. I've always been rewarded when I get out of the car and ask them "So, where are you headed?"