YAKIMA, Wash. – Dozens of cyclists arrived in Yakima as part of the “Journey of Hope,” an annual event to raise awareness for people with disabilities. The “Trans-America Team” is one of two teams with the Ability Experience who kicked off the summer-long challenge with a ride of over 100 miles.
The team, consisting of 31 Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members, began their journey in Seattle on Wednesday. They cycled through Enumclaw and reached Yakima on Thursday evening.
Nicholas Monaghan, a student from Cal Poly Pomona, shared the personal significance of the journey.
“I grew up with a cousin that had a disability. He had Down’s syndrome and witnessing how wonderful his life was and how his life impacted myself really made me passionate about continuing to meet people with disabilities and travel across the country, ultimately meeting as many people with disabilities and learning about how they live their lives as I possibly could,” he said.
The trek on this day covered roughly 125 miles, with the team overcoming 5,000 feet of elevation through Mount Rainier. Ryan Brazzle, a student at Truman State in Missouri, described the experience.
“It was actually kind of wild because we started out this morning and it was a good like 50 degrees where we were on the other side of the mountain and we climbed up. It was 30 at the top, like there was snow at the top is super like, not like cold. I mean, obviously we were working…when we got to the bottom and it was this like 80 degrees and I mean, a desert was kind of wild,” he said.
Monaghan emphasized the endurance needed for this challenge. “The experience is definitely one of this one that requires mental fortitude and definitely requires teamwork to keep pushing each other to do our best to get through the climb…I’ve always been really into pushing myself as far as I possibly can,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Monaghan remains committed to the cause.
“So the gratitude, of course, of finishing the trip is something that I’m looking forward to, but bringing it back to the fundamental mission of it all. I did come here ultimately to to meet and serve as many people as possible that live with disabilities,” he added.
The cyclists plan to stop in Richland tomorrow and aim to reach Washington, D.C., on August 9, having completed over 4,400 miles. You can find their itinerary on their website.
