It all began when my friend Keef walked into the community office on one of the first few days of RA training. Our dialogue went something like this:
"Hey! Lacy!"
"Hey Keefer. What's up?"
"What are your plans for next summer?"
"Uh, I don't have any."
"Do you want to bike across the country with me?"
"................................Okay."
Isn't that just comical? Later, of course, she kind of filled me in on what it was and why it was. But basically, that conversation sealed the deal. That's probably one of my favorite things about Keef. She isn't a flake. That, and she's the kind of person to get her face painted like a tiger at a birthday party for a building.
So, here's Keefer:
But anyway, stuff like that is pretty much the reason why I never want to grow up. I watched Up in the Air last year, and during one of the parts where I was actually listening to what George Clooney was saying, this is what I heard:
The part about relationships is a load of B.S., they're what keep you going. (And if this weren't taken out of context of the whole movie, that is pretty obvious.) But the other stuff hit home, you know? Not that sacrificing the most dramatic forms of spontaneity isn't worth having a functioning family, but it's just a really sad thing to have to give up.
That's a LONG time coming though, and that's why I'm so excited I get to do something like this! AND, I still haven't told you the best parts! Like what the hay I'm talking about. So, back to Bike & Build. It's an organization that aims to raise awareness about (and cash for) affordable housing causes (mostly Habitat) by riding across the country. Each B&B-er raises at least $4000. Yeah, that's a lot. The bulk of it goes to the B&B pool fund, which helps out with Habitat for Humanity builds in the U.S. Also, each host that shelters us for the night gets $100 from the money raised from that particular ride group to give to a nonprofit of their choice. The riders each get to designate where $500 goes, and usually kids give it to a group they meet along the way. The last piece of it goes to buying the bike/gear/accommodations for the summer. I have lots of plans for raising money, like building lots of cool stuff out of bike parts and stationary cycling in Carrboro and B&B nights at different places on Franklin. I'll keep you posted. Also, I've decided to find out how much money my bike and gear costs, and donate that myself. A free bike from the deal would be an awesome perk, but that isn't what I want this to be about. I'll just pretend I broke my camera lens and had to buy a new one or something, except I won't be really angry with myself.
Anyway, the trip lasts about 2.5 months, and us kids will travel about 4,000 miles. The daily mileage is between 50 and 100 miles, but usually about 70. B&B-ers stop about once a week for 1-3 days to work at a Habitat build in a low-income area. Almost every evening, the group gives a presentation to the community via Town Meetings and community gatherings (Bingo, I hope?!) about what we're doing. Each night we either camp out or sleep in churches and the like.
There are 8 routes to choose from, and I want the VA to OR one, mostly because a Donald Miller book that I'm quite fond of talks about Oregon and I have a ridiculously romanticized view of it, so it seems like a pretty perfect place to end. PLUS, we'll be riding though the Rockies, which is super exciting (though my quads are already crying). So that is the darker blue line. Option 2 is NC to CA, which goes by the Grand Canyon. That's the little pink line. Option 3 is Providence to Washington, the red line. I have a pretty romanticized view of Providence as well, so I would happily deal. Anyway, I should find out soon and will proceed to come here to freak.
Here is a video from B&B:
And one from Raleigh Tubb, a NCSSM-er/Tar Heel who did it last year (parental guidance suggested at ~1:00...):
Actually, I haven't even been accepted yet, but it's just one of those things I know is going to happen. I dream about it a lot. A self-fulfilling prophecy? Goodness, I hope so.
Anyway, there are lots and lots of details, so if you're wondering about something, or if I flubbed up and you want to call me out, just leave a comment.
