BLOOMINGTON — Marking Day 50 of a grueling 4,000-mile trek from Seattle to Washington, D.C., the Journey of Hope Trans-America cycling team arrives in Bloomington on Wednesday, July 22, after completing a 65-mile leg across Indiana.
The team consists of 16 cyclists and seven crew members—all collegiate members of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity—who are dedicating their summer to promoting inclusion, raising funds, and connecting with individuals with disabilities nationwide.
A central pillar of the Journey of Hope is its “Friendship Visits”—events hosted along the route where cyclists interact directly with participants at local disability service organizations.
On Wednesday, July 22, the riders will visit Stone Belt Arc, located at 2815 East 10th Street in Bloomington:
- Event Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Activities: Interactive social activities, shared experiences, and a shared lunch with Stone Belt participants and staff.
Stone Belt Arc, established in 1958, is the oldest and largest agency supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in south-central Indiana. The organization has partnered with Journey of Hope since 2018 to foster meaningful connections between riders and the local community.
About The Ability Experience & Journey of Hope
Organized by The Ability Experience—the national philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity—Journey of Hope is designed to develop undergraduate fraternity members into empathetic servant leaders while advocating for people of all abilities.
- The Routes: The Trans-America team is one of two cross-country teams riding this summer. While the Trans-America team started in Seattle, a sister team (North Route) departed from San Francisco. Both teams will converge in Washington, D.C.
- Daily Pace: Cyclists average approximately 75 miles per day.
- National Impact: Combined with corporate sponsorships and individual fundraising efforts across the country, the 2026 Journey of Hope teams will raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to support grant programs and resources for people with disabilities.
“The Journey of Hope is a ride with a purpose… Our mission prioritizes opening doors to inclusivity, increasing access, and creating spaces where people of all abilities can thrive,” notes The Ability Experience.
Members of the community interested in following the team’s progress or learning more about upcoming events can visit the official organization resources at www.abilityexperience.org
