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Going the extra mile

4 UA students will bike across the country this summer for

Four members of the UA Pi Kappa Phi chapter, along with 56 of their brothers nationwide, have committed themselves to biking across America on behalf of people with disabilities.

The 63-day trek, called "The Journey of Hope," will kick off at the Golden Gate Bridge on June 7 and will end on the steps of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 12. The trip will cover more than 3,500 miles and will travel through 103 U.S. cities.

"It's really a life changing experience," said Chris Tompkins, a marketing and Italian senior. "It gives you a chance to really find out who you are and what you are about."

The 60 riders will be split into two teams - north and south - about one week after the trip kicks off in San Francisco. The teams will be reunited just outside Washington, D.C.

Tompkins said the average day will begin at 6:30 a.m. with a bike ride of about 75 miles to their destination city. Following meetings with members of the local media, the teams will participate in community service programs for people with disabilities. Some of these programs include puppet shows for children without disabilities to raise awareness of disabilities.

Tompkins was a crew member last summer - following the bike route in a car with water and the riders' backpacks and sleeping bags.

"We have all known about the ride, but since Chris did it last summer, he inspired us," said Ryan Leahy, a marketing sophomore.

Brett Erickson, a journalism senior, and Mike Vasquez, a history and political science senior, said they wanted to participate together this summer because it was their last chance before they graduate.

"We are the founding fathers of our chapter, so we have been wanting to do it for so long, since no other fraternity has a life-changing program like this," Vasquez said.

This summer will be the fifth year the UA chapter of Pi Kappa Phi has sent members since the founding in 1996.

Several Pi Kappa Phi chapters were not selected to send their students on the trip, and the UA team members all said they feel honored to be chosen.

The "Journey of Hope" is the largest fundraising program of Push America - Pi Kappa Phi's national service project. Each participant in the ride will have to raise at least $4,000 from sponsorships. Funds raised will benefit people with disabilities.

"Raising the money helps keep you focused and prepares you for the fact that we are going to help people," Vasquez said.

The four Pi Kappa Phi brothers have begun training individually for their trip and will ride together for the first time Saturday on a 30-mile practice ride.

"I have always wanted to see the whole country, so I am really looking forward to the beauty of each state on a bike," Leahy said.

Maya Schechter can be reached at catalyst@wildcat.arizona.edu.