This day started out like any other, wake up, pack, eat breakfast, ride. The difference was knowing it would be our last ride morning. Suddenly made rolling our thermarests, packing the tents, and loading the trailer a chore we wanted to do. We started counting off attendance for our last route meeting, and of course hit some bumps in the counting. People in the bathroom or finishing up filling their camelbacks did not seem annoying anymore. It was surreal. I would find myself smiling at something stupid because I came to the realization that I won’t experience it again, certain feelings or activities only Bike and Build can provide.

As for the ride itself, it was an extraordinary summary of our entire summer. We started out with a chilly morning (experienced in Montana and Wyoming) that led to a hilly, rainy stretch of road (experienced in Virginia and Kentucky), after the rain, the skies opened up to a sunny ride with punishing headwinds (experienced in Kansas and Colorado). Ask anyone on the team about me and they’ll be sure to mention the fact that hills are my least favorite part of riding my bike. I began to appreciate them riding to the Pacific. The wind felt like more of a punchline than a punishment as we crossed the Highway 101 bridge to inch closer to our final destination. As for the sun, well we were sure happy to have that as all 30 of us rode as a group in what I have dubbed our “Victory Lap” for the last 2 miles to the ocean.

As we all lined up in a single row, staring at what we had been thinking about all summer, we held hands and began to walk to the water. So much emotion running through my mind. All we as a team have experienced, the trials and tribulations we were put through, the laughs, the cries, the good times and the bad. All of it brought an emotional confusion to my mind, to be honest. Before I could begin to process all of it, we began to run. We made it.

Whatever confusion I was experiencing emotionally, quickly vanished as we began jumping for joy and hugging each other in the salty sea. Letting the cold water consume us as we had just finished biking 4,018 miles over 2 and a half months. Truly a euphoric feeling, one I will not soon forget.

That’s Bike and Build Baby.

-Craig McNees

Our first full day in Portland was simply spectacular. I started off the morning grabbing an egg sandwich with Sam Nitti, Gilbert, Celete and Wolf at “Fried Egg I’m in Love” followed by some tasty donuts at Blue Star Donuts that were well worth the 20 minute wait.

After that we headed to the Portland Housing Authority for a meeting with officials that deal directly with the Affordable Housing cause. It was great to talk about the issue from the policy perspective in a formal setting, and was definitely a highlight of the trip for me.

After that we all split up and explored the city at our own pace. Overall a great day!!

-Dave Kelly

Waking up to a ride day meant we had to leave our gernerous host, St Anthony’s Church, far too soon. Missoula was one of the most bike-friendly cities we’ve been to. Combined with the people we met at Habitat and the church that hosted us, Missoula left an indelible impression on all of us.

This morning we got ready like any other day except our breakfast was at the nearby St Paul church. Fluffy blueberry pancakes, coffee, yogurt, and fruit got us ready for the long 95-mile ride ahead of us. We rode off into the early-morning sun once we had our fill.

Our ride was a healthy 2800 feet of climbing in the morning to Lolo Pass and 3900 feet of descent in the afternoon into our destination, Wilderness Gateway Campground. In the heart of the Lolo National Forest, our ride out of Missoula quickly turned from city streets to beautiful forrested roads.

On the climb to Lolo Pass we pulled off for a break at the Lolo Hot Springs and saw a car with strange equipment on its roof. We rode over and asked them what the equipment was for. The two occupants explained they were french scientists partnered with NASA measuring air quality in Idaho and Montana. A laser in the passenger seat aimed at the sky through the sunroof reflected off the dust particles. Measuring the reflected laser light allowed them to quantify dust concentration.

These interactions with random people on the road is one of the best parts of Bike and Build. We meet so many different people from all walks of life and meeting french scientists in Idaho was so unexpected.

After learning about air quality on the side of the road we pushed to the top of Lolo pass for lunch. We munched on cookies, pickles, and other goodies and coasted down the mountain at 30 miles an hour.

From then on, we descended on curvy country roads following Lolo Creek. The occasional creek on the side of the road embraced us with sweet, cold mountain air as if nature’s air conditioning was on just for us. We made a couple stops for a dip in the creek and meandered our way to the campground for a dinner, a shower in the creek, and smores around the fire pit.

A truly educational, demanding, and rewarding day left us exhausted. We put all our food in the vans to keep bears away, crawled into our tents, and quickly fell asleep.

Today we had a long 86 mile ride from Sheridan to Jackson Montana. We woke up to trays of cinnamon rolls courtesy of the local bakeries in Sheridan, definitely appreciated those calories. We got on the road and enjoyed a gentle ride through Dillion where some of the team stopped for a coffee break and checked out the stores in the area.

We arrived at the lunch stop a few miles later and refueled for the two mountain passes remaining that day. The second half of the ride was hot and windy but the mountains provided a lovely backdrop.

Our team took a few snack breaks to appreciate the scenery. We rolled into the campsite and setup our tents in front of a very picturesque lake. Our dinner crew built a fire and we enjoyed hot dogs and chili then some s’mores as we sat and sang songs on the dock while waiting for the stars to come out. The night got pretty chilly, but we persevered and huddled up to enjoy the big Montana sky.

-Neeva

105 Miles

Brrr. My shivers are the only movement I make other than the pedals that pull my legs in circles. I feel like an icicle, immobile, frozen to my bike. After waking up at 4:30am this morning, I groggily got ready and made the mistake of thinking I had enough on for temperatures in the low 40s. Riding downhill in the shade in the cold dawn was not a good move for someone clad in nothing but a biking jersey and shorts with sun sleeves on the arms. I was not alone; my whole ride group felt Jack Frost’s chilly grip. We just didn’t expect it in July.

Despite the cold, we rode through some gorgeous landscapes and expressed immense gratitude in the form of song (Here Comes the Sun) when the rays of the sun finally hit us. We weaved around Quake Lake, a pristine lake nestled in the valley. We passed an information plaque that said the lake had formed in 1959, when a deadly earthquake changed the course of a river and killed 28 people in the process of creating the lake. Not so pristine after all. Regardless, the views of the placid lake and the surrounding mountains were breathtaking. The pine trees exuded that special sap smell, causing Dave to exclaim, “It smells like Christmas!” It sure did. Or at least like one of those pine-scented air fresheners you put in your car.

After we finally warmed up, Eryk, Dave, Devon, and I really were able to enjoy the ride. The mountains were impressive, and the valley we biked through provided a flat terrain that made the miles fly by. We had one large climb late in the ride, but for the most part really cherished the enjoyment that each mile brought. 105 (s)miles later, we arrived at our host in Sheridan, Montana. Ahh, what a ride. With only two and a half weeks left, I’m holding on to every ride. The people. The open road. The thrill of waking up each morning and knowing that a new adventure awaits. While the lifestyle of being sleep deprived and constantly having to push ourselves physically is challenging, I’m going to miss this. Here’s to a couple more weeks of fun, fellowship, growth, and biking.

-Adam

7/22/19: Build Day at The Grove, Phase III, with Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Teton Area – Jackson, WY

Today we volunteered with Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Teton Area on what was forecasted to be Jackson, Wyoming’s hottest day of the year (and it didn’t disappoint 😊)! The Teton Habitat’s latest project is The Grove, Phase 3, which will eventually result in the creation of 24 homes. This third phase is part of a larger development of market rate properties, but has been designed to be more affordable while remaining cohesive with the existing buildings.

We learned that some of the biggest issues in the area affecting the availability of affordable housing are the lack of land that can actually be developed (1.5%), and the extremely high price of homes. Jackson Hole attracts tourists and those with expendable income looking for a vacation home – or for their second or third, which drives the cost of living through the roof. In 2017, the median list price for single family homes in the Jackson Hole area was $2.65 million and the median sale price was $1.3 million. There were only five homes listed under $750,000 that year. This is beyond unattainable for most of the actual residents. Therefore, Teton Habitat caters to those making anywhere from 30% – 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), which is a much broader demographic range than most other affordable housing organizations target, as well as a much higher maximum income level.

Some other great things that happened while we were in Jackson:

• Delicious meals and snacks – thank you to all who contributed! We especially love veggies and watermelon!
• Jude made some incredible chocolate chip challah!
• Meeting Sean’s and Alexis’ families! You’re great!
• Awesome stargazing tour with Devon’s friend – thanks!
• Exploring Jackson! The best coffee places, new wildflowers, a skate park, the free climbing park, a rodeo, chill breweries, escapades involving some of us pulling each other to the top of a mountain in a toy wagon to see the views, etc.
• And many more

-Wolf

Some days remind you why you ride. When we woke up in Dubois, Wyoming, a committee of our team availed us of facts about Jackson, Wyoming. They recounted conversations with locals who said, in no uncertain terms: “In Jackson, the billionaires are starting to displace the millionaires.”

Other folk understandings like this permeated our discussions. We learned that custom forbids us from using the word “pass” while we go over Togwotee Pass. If you do, you will be cursed by a storm, a tornado, or an earthquake. We eventually settled on an alternative to “cars passing.”

As Lisa and I climbed the mountain, we caught our first glimpse of the Teton mountains. Capped with snow, their majesty couldn’t be captured by our cameras at a distance. We set out to close the gap.

The morning traffic was extremely slow. At nearly 10,000 feet of elevation, we struggled with our breath. But the pass soon yielded, and we found ourselves diving down the mountain side. As we moved closer to Jackson, the traffic picked up, and a bike path carried us the rest of the way into town.

At its core, Jackson Hole is a resort town. Standing in the square, you get the sense that you are in the Disney World of ski towns. The architecture of homes varied by dwelling, with modern townhouses interspersed among classic bungalows. By contrast, the downtown shops were all meticulously planned to resemble a rugged frontier town. But Jackson was built in 1912. Long time local stores were going out of business while large chains and outlets thrived. We would go on to learn that teachers and bank tellers struggled to make rent payments in apartments on the outskirts of town. 

It’s no wonder why someone would choose to vacation in Jackson. But the reality of housing in the town impresses upon me the depth of the crisis of affordable housing in the United States. When the wealthy find their favorite playgrounds, they often push out the residents who live there and who are necessary to the daily life of the town, and sometimes without meaning to. Those people then need subsidization from organizations like Habitat for Humanity, from the government, or from wealthy patrons in order to continue living in their home. That’s not right. 

That’s why we selected Jackson to build with Habitat. We may not be changing the systems in place that keep housing unaffordable, but we can make a difference for at least a few.

Build on!

-eryk

On July 20th we rode out of Lander, WY and headed to Dubois. This ride was full of many majestic beasts which included many horses and a couple of osprey. On the way to Dubois we went through the Wind River Indian Reservation and visited the possible gravesite of Sacajawea. If you are unfamiliar with the controversy of her death, then take some time to Google it because there are some very fascinating details floating around out there and she certainly had an impact on our history as a nation. She is a reminder of how ordinary  people can do extraordinary things.

Along the route there were many other neat historical markers along and the landscape was gorgeous. One majestic creature we finally got to see at the end of the ride was the infamous Jackalope! Many riders wandered into a gas station renowned for its Jackalope population and documented their adventure. Dubois itself was a super cute and our hosts were excellent. We stayed at a bicycle hostile run by a local church and another church served us a lovely dinner and sent us home with plenty of snacks. Overall Dubois was an excellent stop and well worth the visit should one find themselves in Wyoming. 

Today started with a rare occasion as many of us woke in actual beds in the homes of some amazing hosts welcoming us in home stays while we’re in Lander. Each group had different experiences but many enjoyed home cooked breakfasts as well before setting out to explore the wonders in and out of town. Although we are disappointed that our build day plans didn’t work out we quickly found Lander has many activities and sights to explore. After everyone was more or less in town, some immediately set out on a bike ride up some switch backs around Sinks Canyon and later explored around it. Another group went to a park and later met with a host who is into climbing and took them out to some good rocks. They also went to see where the river disappears underground ( “sinks”)  then later resurfaces which sounded super cool. There was also a foundry in town that makes really cool metal statues that give tours that I heard some of us may have visited and learned about. I heard about it later from one of my hosts who works there and it sounds like a fascinating process I would love to see and learn more about if there was time. For the day though, I personally joined the group that started by gathering in the coffee shop and watched a very exciting game of Monopoly. 

In a surprising turn of events Eric came back to win after having only 3 properties when I arrived, impressive strategizing my friend! Then the group joined a vanful heading out to do some hiking. After a grocery store stop for picnic essentials we drove out to the trail and hiked out to the waterfall and rock slide we had heard about. After eating our packed lunches, I joined those bold and brave enough to attempt the water slide. 

It was an exhilarating experience. From the hesitancy of first sliding, to the point of no return leading to the brief free fall then sudden plunge under the water. It was nearly impossible to avoid getting water up your nose then the force of the waterfall had to be battled to resurface and once there I was hit with just how cold the water was!! (running from up mountain and melting ice/snow). I got out just as fast as I could but others seemed to enjoy the ice bath. I’m sure it helped any sore muscles. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience enough to go again before drying off and warming up completely but many went 3 or more times. I know Neeva seemed to enjoy it immensely as I heard she slid down a total of 15 times! What a thrill- seeker.

The hike back was beautiful and I know many pictures were taken all day. After a lasagna dinner with the greater community of Lander we again went to our separate hosts though the events of the day weren’t quite over yet. Though I opted to rest to fight the cold that has finally seemed to work its way around the team to me, I heard very good things from the group that drove out to do some stargazing. Being surrounded by so much nature and not many city lights sounded like it really unveiled the celestial beauty of the dark, so that’s definitely something I’ll be looking to catch while we’re out West in some smaller towns. If only I didn’t go to bed before true dark so often to be prepared for our wake up times!

Today was a memorable day and highlight of our adventure, for me at least, that I am so grateful to have experienced and glad I get to share! Now on to more biking and building while seeing the amazing and unique places in the country!

-Sam P

Hello from Wyoming! Today we left Rawlins, and we rolled out to our next stop, Jeffrey City: a ghost town with a population of 50 some people (which means our team almost doubles its population overnight!) I rode with Mog, Dave, and Adam. The first 40 miles were killer- lots of descent, gorgeous mountain views, and even a tailwind that took us to a 17 mph average, even on climbs. We had lunch at a gas station, where a lovely stranger donated $20 to our affordable housing grant when she saw our trailer. Then, a motorcyclist gave us half of the bag of ice he had just bought because he had seen our coolers. Bike & Build has just been a collage of random acts of kindness from strangers, and today was no exception- we are constantly being shown that people will do good without needing a reason.  

After lunch, we hit the road and felt the wrath of a crosswind that had been a tailwind for the first half of the day. Even though it felt like biking through molasses, I was excited to do the first strenuous ride since the Ozarks (it also helped to have good drafts in my ride group).

We showed up to a bike hostel in Jeffrey City, and we met Justin, another bike tourist who was biking the continental divide self-supported on unpaved roads (!!!) He had done several self-supported tours through North America, one of which included him pulling his dog on a 300 lb rig up the Appalachians (he broke 3 chains on the way). B and I chatted with him about how bike touring has changed him, how solo touring compares to touring with people, and what it’s made him realize about himself and the people he meets (we all agreed that trips like this make you notice how people are inherently good, and also just how warm and expansive the cycling community is). After meeting Justin, we went to the only bar in the town, and met another biker staying in our hostel (who has led an eerily similar path as James). Dave, B, and I then left to roam the town. We went to a pottery store in an abandoned gas station, and met the owner and his dog, Floyd. We then roamed around the abandoned buildings of the town- lots of boarded up apartments, empty home foundations, a torn up school, and skeletons of the community that used to live in Jeffrey City.

When we got back to the hostel, we read the walls of the hostel that were decorated with the names and stories of cyclists who had come through before us (a lot of people have done a similar route to us, but going eastward from the west coast), and then made our own B&B wall graffiti. We then split into different rooms for bed (some of us even got air mattresses! Talk about luxury) and knocked out for our 5 am wake up call.

-Frieda