If you're interested in riding in a charity bike ride, but not this one, check you the list of Charity Bicycle Rides for 2008
Ride your bike. Hammer. Repeat.
No, this isn't a crude way to maintain your bicycle. It will be the routine for bicycle riders in seven “Bike & Build” cross-country tours this summer.
Participants in the Bike and Build Program collect donations before setting out and ride in groups of about 30. The routes cross 42 states. On days that they're not pedaling an average of 75 miles, they're building affordable housing.
Pipe dream
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette interviewed one participant, Sara Tamler of Baldwin Borough. She's a student at the University of Chicago who's looking forward to the adventure of her first long-distance bicycle trip.
“It's always been kind of a pipe dream to bike across the country, and I thought this would be a great way to push myself to do it for a cause I'm interested in.”
Most of the touring bicyclists are college-age students.
Sixth year
This is the sixth year for the Bike and Build, which has donated $1.2 million so far to affordable housing groups. Participants are required to raise $4,000 before the trip. The website says most goes to student-led affordable housing groups, although some goes toward trip expenses.
Before setting out, college students also are asked to volunteer on a construction site with an affordable housing group as well as help produce the trip. They'll get more hands-on work experience on the bike tour.
Most of the gear is carried by van, and lodging is supplied in churches or other community organizations along the route.
(Here's another story — “Cross-country bicycle ride will raise funds for affordable housing” — at the Downer's Grove Reporter Progess.
The routes
Virginia Beach to Canon Beach, Oregon
Manteo, North Carolina, to San Diego
Providence to Seattle
Providence to San Francisco
Jacksonville to San Francisco
Boston to Santa Barbara
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to Vancouver, Bristish Columbia
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