The University of Missouri-St. Louis last week served as host to 31 bicyclists who are on a 3,865-mile trip across the United States. For the third straight year, UMSL provided shelter to members of Bike & Build, a charitable group that organizes cross-country bicycle fundraising trips to benefit affordable housing efforts.

Cycling in from Greenville, Ill., the group of 13 women and 18 men began arriving at 3:30 p.m. June 10. Over the course of the 70-mile ride, the cyclists spread out over the route and arrived at the UMSL campus in groups of twos and threes. They were in St. Louis for two days, one of which they spent helping renovate a house in St. Louis’ Midtown neighborhood for the HGTV Change the World campaign and Rebuilding Together-St. Louis. The two nonprofit organizations are working to rehabilitate the Midtown house as a transitional home for military veterans. At UMSL, the group camped out in two classrooms in the Mark Twain Athletic & Fitness Center.

“I think this is just a great project,” said Larry Coffin, manager of Recreational Sports at UMSL. “These kids are just great. Weeks after they’ve left, they’ll send me stuff to thank me for having them here. They’re great kids and always appreciative.” Bike & Build has nine groups of cyclists in various stages of their cross-country routes. The cyclists at UMSL were Bike & Build’s “Central U.S.” group, traveling from Virginia Beach, Va., to Cannon Beach, Ore.

Over its six-year existence, Bike & Build has contributed $1,643,145 to housing groups across the country.

Last week, UMSL hosted riders from Bike & Build, a charitable group that sponsors bicycle fundraising trips to benefit affordable housing. Five of the riders who visited campus are (from left): Emily Fink, of Virginia Beach, Va.; Laura Palescandolo, of Madison, N.J.; Christina Fox, of Oak Hill, Va.; Barbara Joseph, of Commack, N.Y.; and Nick Alwon-Mount of Chapel Hill, N.C.