Think you’re fit for a challenge? Then try biking 4,000 miles cross-country for charity.
This summer, senior Mike Osorio is embarking on a trans-America bike trip with Journey of Hope, a part of Pi Kappa Phi’s philanthropic organization PUSH America. PUSH America, Osorio wrote in an email, is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness for, and serving, people with disabilities.
The Journey of Hope team is divided into three sub-teams of approximately 35 Pi Kappa Phi brothers. Each group embarks on one of three routes—North, South, and trans-America—beginning in San Francisco and finishing in Washington, D.C.
“Each route covers about 3,900 to 4,000 miles in 64 days,” Osorio wrote. Collectively they cover 32 different states, cycling an average of 75 miles each day.
Prior to the cycling trip, each participant must commit to raising a $5,000 minimum. Osorio has pledged to raise at least $7,000.
Raising funds and cycling is not all the Journey of Hope team will be doing this summer.
“The team will give dozens of presentations in communities across the nation, helping others to understand the issues facing those with disabilities,” he wrote. “As well, after cycling...each day, the team will be visiting local disability centers, often meeting with those for whom we are riding.”
He was inspired to sign up for Journey of Hope during the fall of 2010 when he participated in a Give-A-Push weekend, one of PUSH America’s national service projects. While working with other brothers to renovate the accessibility environment of Holy Angels, a disability community in Belmont, North Carolina, Osorio met a former Journey of Hope participant. Hearing about how the ride changed the man's life inspired Osorio to sign up for the Journey himself.
Osorio is the first member of the Duke Pi Kapp chapter to participate in the Journey of Hope since it was rechartered on campus in September 2006. However, Osorio mentioned that Duke Pi Kapps have participated in similar events in the past—a few years ago, Brian Adams, Trinity ’09, participated in Gear Up Florida, a shorter version of the Journey of Hope.
“Even though biking across the country is a tremendous accomplishment in itself, the whole purpose of the journey is about being selfless,” Osorio wrote. “The Journey of Hope is about helping people with disabilities and raising awareness, and for that reason alone I'm excited, almost anxious to start this journey next June."
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