Gear Up Florida

Orientation and Kick-Off Events

Orientation offers a chance for team members to get acquainted, learn about people with disabilities and participate in skills assessments, training rides and safety training to prepare them for the life-changing events ahead.

Included in the training will be team building, crew systems training, cycling safety sessions and equipment preparation for the road. The team will also visit with some people with disabilities during orientation and share in some fun activities together. There is no greater way to learn about people with disabilities than sitting down and talking and enjoying each others company.

Family and friends are more than welcome to come down to Miami for the kick-off; however, orientation will be an extremely busy time. It is important that any family or friends planning on coming to Miami understands that team members’ time is mostly filled with practice rides and training sessions. Most parents take this time to see some of the different sites in Miami. In fact, many team members and their families arrive early to sight-see.

If you have any questions about the kick-off events in Miami, please email Andrew Matznick at amatznick@abilityexperience.org.

Team Travel Information

Crew Travel Information

If flying:

Flights must arrive into Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) before 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025.

If driving/dropped off:

Arrive at the Kelley A. Bergstrom Leadership Center of Pi Kappa Phi (3701 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 500, Charlotte, NC 28273) by 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025.

*Crew Departure
Crew will be dismissed from Charlotte after debrief. Flights can be booked leaving Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) after 3:00pm on Monday, May 26.

Cyclist Travel Information

If flying:

Flights must arrive at Miami International Airport (MIA) by 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. If you have questions about specific flights, please connect with Harrison Covert or Andrew Matznick.

If dropped off:

Arrive at the Orientation site (Florida International University – 1590 SW 111th Ave, Miami, FL 33199) by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Once your travel is booked, all cyclists must complete this form to confirm travel information.

Gear Up Florida Kick-Off

The 2025 Gear Up Florida team will depart for Boca Raton on Saturday, May 10. Kick-off will begin at 7:00am at Florida International University (1590 SW 111th Ave, Miami, FL 33199). If you are interested in joining us for this send-off, please arrive by 7:00 a.m.

Cyclist Travel Confirmation Form

Getting Your Bike to Orientation

All cyclists should bring their bikes on the plane with them as a checked bag. Check with airlines when booking your flight to confirm fees, but most major airlines charge a standard checked bag fee for bike boxes.

Bike should be packed in a cardboard bike box. Any team members using a hard-case bike box will be required to ship it home. Contact your local bike shop for help packing your bike. They should be able to provide you with a box for free or pack it for a small cost. Here is a video of how to pack a cardboard bike box yourself. Write your name on the outside of the box to be able to identify it at orientation.

Sites to See

Miami is a wonderful place full of history and things to do. Below are some local attractions in Miami and its surrounding areas:

Bayfront Park
Key Biscayne
Coral Castle
Zoo Miami
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Wynwood Walls

Hotel Accommodations

Parents and family members are responsible for booking their own accommodations while in Miami. The team is tentatively scheduled to stay on campus at Florida International University but is subject to change.

*Lodging accommodations for team members during Orientation will be covered by The Ability Experience.