A Clinton, Iowa woman will be biking more than 4,000 miles cross-country within a 77-day period.
Stephanie Petersen, a graduate from the University of Iowa, will join more than two dozen cyclists in Jacksonville, Florida on Sunday, May 10 as part of the Bike and Build tour. Her trip will end in Monterey, California.
"So we will be doing about 15 build days as we go across, and then we will be stopping in cities and doing talks about affordable housing," Petersen explained, standing next to her bike she had been training on.
Riders will also preach bike safety.
Petersen said she feels prepared but still expects challenging days.
"I imagine when I get to mountains I'll probably be like, 'What did I get myself into?' Or, when I'm on a 100-mile day I'll be like, 'I don't know what I was thinking,'" said Petersen.
Crediting friends and family, Petersen said she's received donations from people in the community. According to Petersen's profile page on Bike and Build's website, she's raised $2,895, that's 64-percent of her $4,500 goal.
"I'm really grateful," Petersen exclaimed.
Aside from building homes and leg muscles, Petersen said her journey will build memories that will ride with her forever, and she's looking forward to meeting new people.
Petersen she will be documenting her journey on her Facebook page, click here to follow.
About Bike and Build:
On the About Us section of the Bike and Build website, the non-profit organization states, "Over ten seasons, Bike & Build has contributed more than $4.5 million to housing groups to fund projects planned and executed by young adults; this includes more than $500,000 donated from the summer of 2013."