A Fresh Start

It goes without saying that the end of college is a time of transition. Nothing innovative, I know.

Some people opt to pursue an advanced degree, some jump headfirst into the 9 to 5 cubicle culture, some mourn the perceived end of their reckless youth while searching for nonexistent sources of income, and others decide to go the “travel” route. For my first summer with revoked student status, I decided to go with the latter option (with a bit of the third sneaking in there). After all, having become something of a poster child for the unemployed what-am-I-doing-with-my-life products of 1987 (CBS Evening News: "Job Boot Camp," PRSA Tactics: "Graduating into a Recession"), I clearly have the time on my hands. The one difference in this equation is that the travels I am embarking on are far from conventional.

This summer I will be cycling over 4,000 miles across America supporting people with disabilities as a team member on the Journey of Hope. While details about the event can be found here, I will provide a rundown on some basics. I like bullet points, so here you have ‘em:

• JOH is an annual program sponsored by Push America, the philanthropy owned and operated by Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, which works for the betterment of individuals with disabilities through awareness efforts and fundraising.
  
  
• The event is now in its 22nd year and features approximately 100 cyclists canvassing the country on three different routes (North, South and TransAmerica). I am one of 21 cyclists on the 2009 TransAmerica route.
  
  
• Each year the Journey raises over $500,000 to apply toward the cause. Thanks to the generous efforts of friends and family, I have thus far raised over $5,500 for my ride! My fundraising page can be found here.
  
  
• Elon University has an impressive six brothers involved in national Push America events this summer. Be sure to send words of encouragement to Robby Knelson, Sam Leaf, Scott Leighty, Jim Rampton and Geoff Hall if you know them!
  
  
• Push America's mission: “Change the way society views people with disabilities and fraternities.”
  

So how did I get involved with the Tour de Frat? As a freshman becoming acclimated to the strange new world of Greek life, I was intrigued that a fraternity could offer something substantial outside of the “Animal House” debauchery reflected on my TV screen. I became inspired volunteering with local Push programming and seeing a number of my brothers complete the cross-country adventure.

After spending the previous two summers undertaking internships, I felt there was no better time than now to face my greatest personal challenge to date. One inspiring message that I took from a JOH alum (known as a “Pi Alpha”) was that most of us are blessed at this time in our lives to be “temporarily able” to physically take something like this on. Like so many people, I have observed how quickly a person’s abilities can be taken from them and the role that luck seems to play in the equation.

On this blog I will chronicle the adventure that began one week ago when I stepped off a plane in the Seattle airport fully aware that the only way I was returning home was via my own two feet. I plan to share pictures, insights and inspiring stories from the America that few people ever get to experience from the eyes of a novice cyclist in (occasionally) over my head. I look forward to hearing from all of you!