Facts
Inspired by Bruce Rogers’ trek across the country in 1987, the Journey Hope was created in 1988 to raise funds for and awareness on behalf of people with disabilities.
2009 Events North/South
Kick-Off: June 14, 2009 in San Francisco
Arrival: August 15, 2009
Team Size: 28 Cyclists/7Crew (per team)
Days: 64
Miles: 4,000
The true story of Push America’s Cycling Events is the exciting line-up of special events in which the teams participate in after each day’s ride. Here are the events and activities the team will participate in during their travels across America.
Community and Arrival Events – Proclamations declaring Push America Day, parades, wheelchair basketball games, bicycle safety seminars and pool parties are examples of the types of community events scheduled. These exciting events allow us to highlight the local efforts of the organizations that support people with disabilities.
Kids on the Block puppet shows – At many events, Kids on the Block puppet shows for children are performed. This show focuses on the abilities of people with disabilities and allows children to ask questions to the puppets that they might not have been comfortable asking otherwise.
Friendship Visits – From barbecues to fireside sing-a-longs, to dinners and dances, the team spends time enjoying the friendships made with the people for whom they are riding. Cycling 100 miles in one day is well worth it when you arrive into a city and there is a smiling face there to thank you!
The Journey of Hope is a cross-country bicycle event beginning in Seattle, WA (Trans America Route) and San Francisco, CA (North and South Route). All teams will ride together in to Washington, D.C. and arrive at the steps of the Capitol. The Journey of Hope itself raises funds and public awareness on behalf of people with disabilities. This year, this event will raise more than $500,000. Money raised through the Journey of Hope is used for the programs of the national non-profit organization, Push America; including grant support for many of the centers we visit over the summer.
The ride itself is made up of two teams of 30 men and one team of 25 men. After departing the west coast, the teams travel separately on a North, South and Trans America route cycling across the nation towards the east coast. Each member is selected from different Pi Kappa Phi chapters throughout the United States and must individually raise a minimum of $5,000 to qualify for the team. A national network of more than 800 volunteers assists in the planning and implementation of logistics and events along the Journey of Hope route. It reaches 32 of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia. The teams will spend the night in 180 different cities as they pedal a combined total of more than 12,000 miles; the average daily ride is 75 miles. The team participates in events in both small towns and large cities. This is truly a human interest story.
Each summer, thousands of people are exposed to the Journey of Hope story through an exciting line up of special events. The Journey of Hope offers strong media appeal. During last year’s event, almost 300 million people learned about the Journey of Hope through the newspaper, radio, and television coverage.
For more information on the Journey of Hope, please visit us at:
