Long, tiring days and sore muscles are some of the things Martha Joslyn, a junior at Bridgewater College, will experience this summer as she bikes across the United States and helps to build and renovate homes.
A psychology major from Tappahannock, Va., with a minor in neuroscience, Joslyn is joining The Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure, which is set to leave Seattle on June 10 and arrive in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 14.
The trip will cover 3,600 miles during 64 days, averaging 75 miles per day – on biking days – and passing through 14 states. Along the route, the bikers will make seven stops to work on building projects. Churches, camps and youth centers will host the cyclists overnight.
Joslyn says she and a friend had planned on taking a bike trip out west this summer and through Facebook found the Bike Adventure. The idea of helping people along the way appealed to them and the two felt it was a safer way to travel.
To prepare for the trip, Joslyn did basic conditioning and weight lifting. Over spring break, she biked with some friends from Charlottesville, Va., to near Richmond, Va., traveling more than 100 miles in three days.
Cyclists are responsible for getting sponsorships for the ride. People who want to support Joslyn may do so by going to bikingitthere.blogspot.com and clicking on “Support Martha.” During the trip, Joslyn will keep a journal at this site.
The trip is sponsored by The Fuller Center for Housing, a non-profit organization, based in Americus, Ga., that seeks to eradicate poverty housing by promoting partnerships with individuals and community groups to build and rehabilitate homes for people in need. Since launching in 2005 under the leadership of the late Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda, The Fuller Center has spanned the globe and now has covenant partners in 70 communities and 16 countries.
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