Sarah Hamilton
Madison, WI
UW-Madison

Last 5 blog entries: Day 67 of 69 Pictures from the last few days Remember that time we biked 11 days straight and covered 785 miles? It's the little things that count Welp, I spoke too soon.

Show latest update from from Sarah's blog Day 67 of 69 I think this has been the best week of my life. It's crazy to think that my Bike & Build experience is officially ending this Friday! I'm currently enjoying my last night in the USA and look forward to entering Canada tomorrow morning. I will put up pictures soon, because there is no way words can describe what I've biked through over the last few days. Simply, we have climbed 6 mountain passes in 5 days, spent two wonderful nights of camping in some of the most beautiful scenery the country has to offer, and had one heck of a day off in Sandpoint, Idaho where a group of us rented a boat, water skiied, and enjoyed each other's company. During the 11 day stretch of biking, I thought I was ready to be done. But after this past week of some of the most incredible biking, I am wishing there was a way to slow down time. I've loved every second of this trip and have made friends that I know I will have for a lifetime. It is going to be the most bittersweet feeling seeing the Pacific Ocean. Okay, too overcome with emotion to write anything more coherent. I will post pictures within the week, so check back even though my trip will be over! Thanks again to all who have donated to the affordable housing cause and made this lifechanging experience possible for me.

Sarah's bio: Hey Everyone!  My name is Sarah Hamilton and I am a brand new  graduate of UW-Madison! I've just received a degree in genetics, and am fortunate enough to have found a job for next year that will let me take the summer off to be a part of this incredible organization! All I can think about right now is how incredibly excited I am to be part of Bike & Build! I first found out about Bike & Build when my friend, Ben Ryan, was a trip leader on the NC2SD trip back in 2008. Showing an active interest in the program, Ben's family was gracious enough to have me to their home when the Northern route came through Janesville, Wisconsin (my hometown). I had so much fun meeting all the B&Bers and set my mind on completing a trip before I turned 25. Then, this past summer, I decided to move to Glacier National Park in northwest Montana for the summer. While I was there, the Northern route stopped at the cafe I worked at, and another friend from Janesville, Ali Kolste, was on the route. Both of my friends couldn't speak highly enough about their experience with Bike & Build and by the time I was back at school in Madison, I resolved to join a trip for Summer 2010. I didn't even think twice about it.  I have not had any experience with affordable housing projects thus far, but I cannot wait to start working with Habitat for Humanity in Madison. I admire all of the enthusiasm and energy that Bike & Builders have put toward this cause and I am so excited to contribute my excitement toward an effort that helps so many people.  While I enjoy running on a regular basis, my biking is limited to the mile or two I do to and from classes. Needless to say, I'm a bit nervous for the endeavor I'm undertaking, but being able to say I rode across the country on a bike is definitely on my lifelong 'to-do' list. I can't wait to share this experience with so many great, young people and make some awesome friendships along the way.  I've been lucky enough to travel all over the country, but I have never explored the country as intimately as I will be this summer. To know I will taking in the amazing and unique sights and places this country has to offer on my bike overwhelms me (in a good way, of course!).  I'm excited to keep the Janesville tradition alive and keep my communities in both Janesville and Madison informed on the affordable housing problem our country has. Now that my beautiful bike has arrived and the weather in Madison is getting warmer, it's getting me more and more excited for the trip I have ahead of me! Looking forward to meeting everyone in the not-so-distant future! Special thanks to all who have contributed to my Bike & Build fundraising thus far who are making my dream of doing this a reality!

Back to the Northern U.S. roster.