Atlantic Beach, FL – Thirty young adults with Bike & Build Inc., a national non-profit committed to affordable housing, are bicycling into Atlantic Beach this week to begin their journey across the United States. The riders will be working on May 20th to help construction efforts at The Huang Villa Subdivision with Beaches Habitat for Humanity. The cyclists travel from Atlantic Beach, FL to Monterey, CA in order to raise money and awareness for affordable housing causes.

“We are deeply proud that Bike & Build has 265 riders this year who are so committed to the affordable housing cause that they are willing to raise much-needed funds and spend two months of their summer biking across this amazing country,” said Bike & Build Executive Director Rosemary DiRita. “Bike & Build provides the opportunity; it is the riders who make the impact on housing issues through our cycling trips.”

The group will be traveling for more than 11 weeks and will help to build affordable housing in ten locations, including Tallahassee, FL, Farmington, NM, and a week-long build in New Orleans, LA. In order to participate in the trip, each rider raised at least $4,000 to help fund the trip costs and affordable housing efforts nationwide.

Bike & Build offers eight cross-country biking trips each summer. The 18 to 25 year old riders see and experience first-hand the affordable housing need in this country. They stop in towns along their route and participate in construction efforts at affordable housing sites that are in progress. The riders also meet with local officials and community members to discuss affordable housing issues.

The Southern US route will begin their ride on Saturday, May 21st with their customary “Wheel Dip” ceremony.  Join them on the beach at First Street in Atlantic Beach to send them on their way.  The ceremony will begin at 8:30am with the cyclists hitting the road around 9:15am.