Cyclists ride for affordable housing efforts | Community Spirit

A national non-profit organization is using bike trip across the country to spread the word about affordable housing causes and give young people the chance for a little adventure.

Bike & Build Inc. offers eight cross country biking trips each summer that gives 18 to 25 year old riders the opportunity to experience first hand the affordable housing need in the United States. The riders stop in towns along the route and help with construction of affordable housing units. They also meet with local officials and community members to discuss affordable housing issues.

"I would say, Bike and Build is an incredible opportunity to get young people out to get across the country and get exposed to housing situations," said rider leader Christopher Clark.

On Wednesday, a group of 30 of the cyclists from Bike & Build rode into Spokane after doing several other trips around the country. They started their trip on June 13 in Providence, Rhode Island and are headed to Seattle.

They've done several projects along the way from Iowa, to Ohio to Montana. As Clark said, it's been more than a trip to help those in need, it has been an adventure.

"I've seen a bunch of Americana I've never seen before," said Clark, "I've seen the Appalachian Mountains, the rolling hills of Wyoming...there are just so many things I just can't list them all."

Clark said their group rides at about a pace of 10 miles per hour. The pace may seem slow to some but for the riders, the pace doesn't matter.

"It's not so much a race but more of an adventure," said Clark.

The group has also completed a few projects in the Inland Northwest. On Tuesday they completed two projects in Coeur D'Alene, all in a period of 8 hours.

"The project is important because a family with a house gives them a greater chance of success," said Clark.

Although the group's trip is winding down, they have one last chance to help out all of those affected by a need for housing. The group has received about $150,000 in grants from all over the country and they get to decided which places will benefit from those groups.

The cyclists will make their decision on Wednesday night which organizations will receive money. Clark estimates 5 or 6 organizations including one possibly for Coeur D'Alene.

To track groups progress and read more about Bike and Build click here