Q: How long will the trip take?
A: 78 days. We will cross through 11 states, and ride roughly 4,000 miles, not considering detours, extra excursions and wrong turns. We have 16 build days, including 5 in New Orleans, as well as 4 days off, during which we will be able to take advantage of our surroundings, or catch some serious shut eye.
Q: Where will you stay along the route?
A: We will rely very much on the generosity of those we meet along the way. Mostly we will stay in churches and schools. Sometimes in houses of community members willing to host a few smelly riders. If there is nowhere to stay then we camp. Each rider is responsible for having their own sleeping bag.
Q: What will you eat?
A: Each day Bike & Build (referred to from here on as B&B) fills the necessary gaps to make sure everyone is fed. What does this mean? Some days our host will be gracious enough to provide us breakfast, dinner leftovers for lunch the following day, or dinner when we arrive in the evening. B&B works to cover anything not provided by the host. Mostly lunches, eaten on the road, will consist of PB&J and any dinner leftovers. Breakfast if not provided by a host might consist of cereal and fruit, PB&J or dinner leftovers. If dinner is not provided by a host then as a group we will grocery shop and cook dinner. Of course, we are always welcome to stop along the way should we decide we need supplemental calories.
Q: What does a typical B&B day schedule look like?
A: (As taken from the B&B website)
Day in the Life
- Each day on Bike & Build is different, however this outline provides a rough idea of what to expect in a typical day.
6 AM – Wakeup--pack your bags, load the van, eat breakfast.
7:30 AM – Morning meeting – the point leader goes over the day's route and distributes directions; everyone participates in a group stretch and then individually checks and tunes their bikes.
Ride at your own pace – break up into groups of people you’re comfortable riding with- generally no more than 3-4 people; throughout the day stop to check out points of interest along the route.
11:30 AM – Lunch- support van will have set up a pre-arranged lunch stop. Everyone catches up with the group and takes a break to replenish and refuel!
3-4 PM- Arrive- hosts will greet you at the pre-arranged nightly accommodation location and welcome you after a long day on the bike.
- Shower- at locations pre-arranged. Sometimes it is a YMCA or gym, other times it may be a garden hose.
- Complete chore group responsibilities– riders are responsible for helping with day-to-day operations of trip. These responsibilities rotate on a weekly basis and range from cleaning the van to grocery shopping for the next day's lunch. This allows riders to take ownership of the trip and contribute to its success.
6 pm – Potluck dinner- eat, meet, and interact with local community members.
7 pm – Presentation- each trip has a PowerPoint presentation which it gives to community members at host locations. Riders share anecdotes from the trip, explain what life is like on the road, and what Bike & Build's mission is. These are a lot of fun and present an opportunity to spread awareness about the affordable housing crisis and learn about regional issues.
FREE TIME You will have plenty of opportunities throughout the day and after you arrive at your night's destination to get off your bike, explore, talk to locals, call home and relax.
Q: Can you get mail along the way?
A: ABSOLUTELY! Closer to the start day of the trip I will post our scheduled mail drops. Every two weeks we are able to receive mail at a predetermined post office in a predetermined city. I would love to hear from any and everyone that comes across this blog, whether we have met before or not.
Q: What happens if you get injured along the way?
A: Well, while we all pray this doesn't happen, chances are something will happen along the way. From bad sunburn, to a fever, bad cold, intense stomach ache, or perhaps something more serious. The "support van", a 15 passenger van & trailer (which we get to paint during training) will accompany us on our trip. Each day it will be driven by one of our 4 team leaders. The trailer will carry food, gear, extra bike parts, anything we as a team might need besides our bikes & bodies (side note: due to limited space each rider is allowed to bring one duffel bag or plastic storage container, about the size of one large clear Rubbermaid packing container, this must fit all our clothes, toiletries, sleeping bag, Thermarest, pillow, towel. Everything.) The van will be able to carry anyone not able to ride that day, as well as take us to build sites or other locations to which we are unable to ride.
Q: Do you have any cycling experience?
A: Not a single bit. I've definitely been on a bike before, but not a road bike which is what I will be riding this summer. B&B provides a bike after a certain fundraising level ($1,000). Once I get this I'll be able to start training. Each rider pledges to complete 500 training miles, including one ride at least 65 miles in length.
