Boise is a lovely place in the summertime. The foothills, the Boise River, drive-in movies… even the Natatorium, if you’re really feeling a middle school throwback. But everyone gets the travel bug sometimes. And what better way to get out and see the country than on your bike?
Growing up in Boise, Austin Abromeit spent many summers in the typical Boise way: relishing the sun and getting the bronze glow that makes people from Washington jealous.
This past summer, however, Austin, a senior at Boise State studying history, decided to do something a little different.
Austin was inspired to participate in a program called Bike & Build, and joined the Bike & Build Team for the summer of 2013. Bike & Build organizes cross-country biking trips for young adults. With the motto “pedaling for affordable housing,” the goal of the organization is to raise money and awareness for affordable housing projects across the country.
“It’s the perfect way to spend a summer,” Austin said. “It’s a great accomplishment and it’s for a good cause.”
4,250 miles of road later, Austin has helped with 16 separate housing projects across the country, gotten a killer (and somewhat scary) tan-line, and a tattoo. Austin had the number of miles he biked this summer proudly inked on his side.
Austin’s biking team included participants from all over the country. The three-month expedition brought 27 strangers from Charleston, South Carolina on a journey across the country, ending in Santa Cruz, California.
While the trip presented a huge physical challenge, Austin’s bike team was motivated by their cause and by each other.
Austin said that one of the best parts of the experience was bonding with his teammates and seeing the country.
“The highlight of the trip was climbing Independence Pass at 12,000 foot elevation in Colorado! My team had a giant dance party at the top of the mountain and then descended into Aspen and went cliff jumping. It was just a blast,” said Austin.
According to Austin, the whole experience was truly life-changing.
“What you really get out of this program is a huge, overwhelming sense of achievement,” he said.
Austin is currently in the process of spreading the word about the Bike & Build program at Boise State in the hopes of building the program and recruiting participants for next year.
Rider applicants for the summer of 2014 can start submitting their applications as soon as November 16th. More information on the program can be found here.