You're doing what?! Ya, ya, ya...I know...I'm crazy! Yes, I'll be bicycling 3829 miles in 69 days. Yes, I'll spend 8 hours a day crouched over a set of handlebars; I'll be sleeping many nights on the floor; I'll be living out of a little plastic tub; I'll probably shower from a garden hose; and no matter how sore I get -I'll have to keep pedaling.
But, get this- I'll pass through 11 states in which I've never set foot; I'll meet 32 other adventurous people from across the U.S.; I'll finally get to put my ol' Huffy into retirement; I'll get to become really inventive with my plethora of PB&J lunches; I'll get to wear an awesome bike jersey; and I'll probably get a nice lean n' mean physique...Oooo la la!
But want to know the coolest reason why I'm doing it? It's because I'll get to help build homes for 10 different families; I'll be an integral piece of $112,000 of support for affordable housing non-profit programs; I'll hopefully turn 112,000 heads towards the importance and need for affordable housing; and I'll get to become a member of one of the most awesome programs ever...Bike & Build!
Living the life of a kid at Conno-Q Elementary School, I don't think I would have ever dreamed up the experiences that I've already had or am about to have. A childhood filled with feeding animals, plucking weeds, bailing hay, picking produce, and working in our family farm market really helped provide the work ethic, the physical stamina, and the self-confidence to get involved in every opportunity that came my way.
Before I knew it, I became head-over-heels in love with cross-country and track. I learned a lot about leadership, teamwork, dedication, and the wonderful effects that a workout has on the mind and the body. And when I was 16 I got the opportunity to travel to Germany. Holy Smokes! There's a whole WORLD out there! I suddenly discovered what the “travel bug” was…
So when I went to Penn State Behrend for college, I had to think - What to do? Where to go? Through a generous scholarship from Theodore K. Vogeley, I suddenly found myself with the opportunity to study in Australia. WOW! What an incredibly tough, interesting, and thoroughly enriching experience. But, I came upon something I'd not really thought about... People would say to me - "Leisl?! You've traveled all over Australia, but you haven't been to New York City? Or Washington, D.C.? Or even 42 of the states in America?
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Well, heck! I needed to change that. One year later I was traveling the U.S. for 10 months in a program called the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). The program is centered on team-based community service for 18-24 year olds. My last project was stationed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with Habitat for Humanity. We were in our last week at the project, and who wandered (err..pedaled) in? The Southern U.S. Route of Bike & Build! Awed by their dedication to increase affordable housing awareness, and myself already being thoroughly enthralled in the benefits of such non-profits, I immediately wrote down email addresses and phone numbers...this was something I HAD to do.
So now my anticipation for this summer is peaked. I received my shiny new Giant Avail bicycle in February, and have been trying to figure out the "Clip-In-Pedal" thing ever since. I'll get the training down by the time June 20th comes along, but what I really would love is your support for this great cause! My goal of $4000 was reached April 24th, and so now every cent that is donated is icing on the cake! My own $1000 donation will pay for things like B&B administration, van gas (we'll have one following us on the trip), food, etc. So, any amount big or small is GREATLY appreciated - and will end up being donated to housing programs that the riders on my route jointly choose. Please help us on our quest to make a difference in families' lives all over the U.S.A.!
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