An Ohio University student wanted to commit an entire summer to helping others by doing something he enjoys.
So on Thursday, Conor Emser, a 19-year-old from Westlake, Ohio, and a sophomore studying graphic design, set out for a 3,000-mile bike ride.
Emser is one out of 30 participants from the central United States to ride across the country with Bike & Build, an organization to benefit affordable housing organizations.
Cyclists will start in Virginia Beach and finish in Cannon Beach, Ore., — a total of 3,048.7 miles. Emser will stop in more than 70 cities along the way, including Charleston, W. Va., Cincinnati, Ohio, and Denver, Colo., to help build 10 homes and to give presentations on affordable housing to local residents. Bike & Build hosts nine cross-country trips a year.
Cyclists are fundraising about $4,500 before the trip for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together. They are expected to return to Athens on Aug. 12.
After shadowing Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland, Emser said his interest in urban development grew and his need to provide homes in financially poor communities, similar to Athens, was made clear.
Though Emser said he enjoys fixing and riding bikes, this will be the first time he bikes across country.
“I really discovered the need for affordable housing and how much just a little help can really get families up on their feet and into a home,” Emser said.
To prepare for his trek, Emser raised an initial $1,000 and rode a pledge of 500 miles with his Giant Defy 3 bike issued to him through Bike & Build’s partnership with distributor Bokoo Bikes.
“I really favored riding the bike path along the Hocking and I made it a few times out to Strouds Run for some uphill training,” he said. “But, at school I did short 10-15 mile rides. Now that I am home I try to push 30-40 (miles) every chance I can.”
Alex Hribko, Emser’s friend from Westlake, a suburb of Cleveland, said this trek was not out of character for Emser.
“He is very big into giving back to communities and helping with causes such as this,” said Hribko, a junior studying design and management at Parsons: The New School for Design in New York. “I was very excited for him because I know it's going to be a wonderful experience for him and (it’s) something he'll get a lot out of.”
Emser’s cycling trip will be significant in residential areas — especially those destroyed by severe summer storms, said Dean of Students Jenny Hall-Jones.
“I think it is especially impactful after we learned that some of the homes devastated by the recent tornadoes were Habitat Homes,” Hall-Jones said. “I’m sure that Conor will grow as a civic leader this summer with his involvement in this unique project, and I look forward to him sharing all he learned when he returns to Athens.”
hy135010@ohiou.edu
