Last spring, Hao Mach, a senior at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, wrote to us about an upcoming trip he was planning with an organization called Bike & Build.  Hao asked if we would donate a dot grid Rhodia Webnotebook he would use as his journal.

Bike & Build is a nonprofit organization that focuses on the affordable housing cause.  Trip participants helped publicize the need for affordable housing as they cycled across the country; and also pitched in with Habitat for Humanity to help build houses at various stops.

“Looking back on everything I’ve done this summer, I can’t tell you how fortunate I am to have done something in Bike & Build. Being surrounded by 25 strangers every day for 75 days cycling, eating, sleeping and laughing seemed like a dream.  I’ve developed such strong bonds with every single one of these individuals.  I was able to put aside minor frustrations every morning because all my challenges included waking up at 4 am, cycling, meeting new people and enjoying not spending more than 2 nights in one place.”

“I remember being a week in and having to tackle the Blue Ridge Mountains.  A third of our team finished that route but everyone was pushed to their limits that day…I remember watching fireworks shoot off of a giant cliff on July 4th in the small town of Kremmling, CO with the Rockies in the background…I remember jumping into the Pacific Ocean with everyone I spent the summer with and doing team cheers.”

We were glad and honored to be part of such an exciting adventure and memorable trip.  Thank you, Hao!