Hannah Cranford plans to tour the country on two wheels this summer.
The 23-year-old Gastonia woman will climb on her bike and pedal more than 4,000 miles from Florida to California.
The ambitious trek is organized by Bike & Build, an organization that encourages young adults to raise money and awareness about the need for affordable housing.
Participants volunteer to raise money and spend the summer cycling across the country while making stops to help build houses.
So far Cranford has raised about $2,000 and she collected a reward — a new bicycle from the nonprofit group.
Cranford has been getting comfortable with what she calls her fancy bike.
Cranford is a runner. She doesn’t spend much time pedaling. But she’s looking to change that.
Her father is an avid cyclist, and she’s riding his coattails to prepare.
Cranford has started joining her dad for bike rides and hopes to tackle a 60-mile stretch this week.
The young woman says her career gives her the freedom to take the summer off. Cranford fills in for dental hygienists in the Charlotte area.
Once on the summer trip, she and other participants will ride an average of 71 miles a day, with about 30 miles some days and a few topping 100.
The group will sleep in churches, schools and community buildings across the country.
Some days the volunteers spend their time at work sites, helping organizations like Habitat for Humanity to build homes.
Cranford put in time with Habitat during college but she hasn’t been actively involved in the last couple of years.
A local Girl Scout leader, Cranford found a new dedication to the organization recently.
She said one of the girls in her troop got a new home thanks to Habitat.
“I saw how much of an impact it made for her. I got really passionate about affordable housing after that,” she said.
Cranford remembered some college friends who talked about participating in Bike & Build. She decided it was her turn.
The journey will begin May 16 when Cranford will meet up with fellow cyclists in Jacksonville, Fla.
The team will spend 11 weeks on the road and end up in Monterey, Calif.
To participate, each cyclist must raise at least $4,500 to support the trip. Much of the money is donated to affordable housing organizations.
Cranford’s trip is one of eight held across the country.
The thought of cycling long distances in the summer heat is a little intimidating, Cranford said, but she feels up to the task.
“I’m sure it will be fine, and I can’t wait,” she said.
Cranford said she’s excited to take on a new hobby, meet new people and make a difference.
You can reach Diane Turbyfill at 704-869-1817 and twitter.com/GazetteDiane.
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Want to help?
Hanna Cranford still needs to raise about $2,500 for Bike & Build.
To make a donation, you can visit her fundraising page at BikeAndBuild.org/rider/7424.
Checks can be mailed to Bike & Build, 6153 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19128. Write “Hannah Cranford” in the memo.