'Bike and Build' cross-country trip started with work on new duplex in Farmington

Jun 28, 2010 — Foster's Daily Democrat

Jake O'Donnell

Jun. 28, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- FARMINGTON -- Thirty-two young adults from the national nonprofit organization Bike and Build, Inc., were in Farmington Tuesday as they kicked off their summer-long trek across the country to help with affordable housing projects.

Bike and Build teamed up with Southeast New Hampshire Habitat for Humanity and their efforts to build a duplex at 206 Reservoir Road. The group worked alongside volunteer professionals and helped with a variety of jobs, including putting on siding, framing, sorting and moving items inside the house, rebuilding sawhorses, and some insulation work, among others.

Angela Parrotta, 27, of Brooklyn, N.Y., is one of four route leaders for the Northern United States Bike and Build trip this year. She said the group includes people from 18 different states who first met Sunday The Farmington project was the first of several they will conduct as they make their away across the country.

"It's a pretty good way to give back, a pretty good way to see the country," she said. "It empowers young adults, mile by mile and house by house."

Each member of Bike and Build is required to raise $4,000 to participate in the trip. Once they raise $1,000 they are given a bike they can use on the trip. They also raise money during the trip that gets distributed through grants to affordable housing organizations, like Habitat for Humanity.

Site Co-Superintendent Bob McCoy from Southeast N.H. Habitat for Humanity said he's been working on affordable housing projects with Bike and Build for the last several years and enjoys the opportunity to work with the ambitious young people on the day they arrive each year.

"Thirty people is a handful to keep busy," he said. "They've got a lot of energy. They're fit, and they're a big help."

Habitat for Humanity started the Reservoir Road project last year and they expect it to be complete by the end of October. The house will serve as an affordable home for two families. Habitat for Humanity recently built three other affordable homes that now have owners closer to downtown Farmington, McCoy said.

Parrotta said the group will stay at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Castle before starting on their bike trip Wednesday. They will be "dipping their wheels" into the Atlantic to start their journey, and when they arrive in Vancouver to end their trip later this summer, they'll be dipping once again, in the Pacific.

In between, they'll stop in places such as St. Paul, Minn., and Whitefish, Mont., to work on other affordable housing projects similar to the one in Farmington.

"It's incredible and amazing," said Denis de Verteuil, 23, of Columbus, Ohio, another route leader in his second summer with Bike and Build. "Everyday, you wake up in a new town. We mix adventure with service."

"It is the best way anyone can ever spend a summer," said Parrotta. "Between service work, and meeting 32 complete strangers that will be lifelong friends, it's incredible. And seeing entire country by bicycle is amazing."

Newstex ID: KRTB-1268-46513032