B&B Beginnings

Tonight I will answer the question that is on everyone's mind: When did someone decide to start a program that sends people biking across the U.S. and building houses?

For those of you who know about the Habitat Bicycle Challenge, this idea probably sounds pretty familiar. For those who don't - the Habitat Bicycle Challenge (HBC) was a similar cross-country cycling tour that took place annually during the summers of 1995 - 2007. The HBC was directly affiliated with Habitat for Humanity, and began with Yale University student Antony Brydon in 1995. Antony wanted to raise money for the Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven, an idea that expanded over twelve summers - the student-run program attracted 90 participants each year and added two new routes. When the HBC had finished its final tour in 2007 it had raised $2.4 million in total!

Marc Bush, a former trip leader for the HBC, wanted to expand on a program that motivates young people to take social responsibility. In 2002 he founded Bike&Build, and the first two Bike&Build trips  cycled across America in the summer of 2003. In only six years B&B gained six national routes and a regional route - 2009 saw the debut of the Capital Ride. An important difference between B&B and the HBC is that B&B is not directly affiliated with Habitat for Humanity. While B&B still supports Habitat across the country, B&B also raises awareness and funds of those smaller community organizations for affordable housing. Even though the majority of B&B participants are college students, B&B, unlike the HBC, is not a student run organization and employs a small full time staff, a seasonal intern and a part time Coordinator. This year will mark the 10th summer of B&B rides - in the decade it has been running, B&B has had over 1,600 participants and raised a total of over $3.3 million!

The route we are doing - Providence to California - was added in 2006 and has raised a total of $519,150 over the past seven summers! It's easy to see why Annamaria and I are so eager to take part in this great program, but we really need your help - if everyone reading this gave just $5, we would both be $200 closer to our goal! If you are unable to donate money, you can still help us out by telling everyone you know about our cause.

Thanks so much to everyone who has already donated - the history of B&B would not have been possible without contributions like yours!

On a different note -
Cyclists, marathon runners, triathlon participants, weightlifters, anybody that goes to the gym or keeps in shape by exercising, we need your help! Annamaria and I still aren't able to afford our bikes(!!!!) but we want to get a head start on training. If you've ever needed to train for anything, or have a favorite training regimen, tell us about it! What exercises are your favorite, or the most convenient, or the most difficult? We are willing to try anything and everything - so whatever you think we should do, shout it out!