The Ability Experience, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded in 1977 and remains the exclusive philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi with the purpose of instilling lifelong service in our fraternity members and serving people with disabilities.

In 1987, a young Pi Kappa Phi alumnus named Bruce Rogers embarked on a daunting journey of cycling across the country in an effort to bring more attention to the mission of The Ability Experience. A year later in 1988, inspired by his inaugural trip, a student member named Jim Karlovec planned out the first team ride from his dorm room in Bowling Green, OH.

Now, more than 35 years later, nearly 150 men participate in  Journey of Hope and Gear Up Florida every summer. Each year, members of Pi Kappa Phi cycle from Miami to Tallahassee, FL on Gear Up Florida and from Seattle, San Francisco and Santa Barbara to Washington, D.C. on Journey of Hope. They do this as a way of delivering a message of acceptance and understanding for our friends with disabilities.

Team Safety

Keeping our team members safe will always be a top priority of the organization. Navigating the country’s roadways on a bicycle is not something we take lightly. With the help of our Safety Committee, we do what we can to ensure that not only do team members have the summer of a lifetime, they do so safely. Here are some of the things we do to make sure our teams are safe:

• Newest tech in bike lights, and high-visibility / reflective clothing.
• Extensive training program and regular live instruction from our professional cycling coaches.
• Experienced cyclists and cycling coaches ride with the team during Orientation and first few days on the road at the beginning of each trip.
• Riding in groups during the trip, cyclists are always within a few miles of the nearest crew member and support vehicle.

Expectations from Participants

Events like these come with a good deal of preparation, and as such, there are things that we ask out of our participants to make these events possible and ensure they are prepared to enjoy them to the fullest. All team members have a minimum fundraising commitment that they need to reach in order to participate, as well as various training items listed below. Throughout the preparation stage, they receive regular support and advice from our staff to help them through any roadblocks and ensure they are on the right track.

• Minimum Fundraising Commitment:
  • Gear Up Florida – Cyclists = $3,500 | Crew = $1,500
  • Journey of Hope – Cyclists = $6,500 | Crew = $3,000
• Cyclists have a hand-tailored training plan put together by our professional cycling coaches
• Crew members receive position-specific training in advance as well as in-person training before the event
• Regular check-ins and support from staff
• Cyclists are required to get their own bike and equipment
• Crew members must have an up-to-date drivers’ license and good driving record

We are passionate about this being an experience that everyone has the opportunity to have. We will work with team members to find a plan that works for them. We are proud to say that nobody who has put in the work and effort has ever been unable to participate because they couldn’t find a bike or hit their fundraising commitment! We recognize this is a team effort from day one and will do what we can to provide the best opportunity possible for a life-impacting event!