From June 5 to Aug. 8, senior entrepreneurship major Nathan Won went on a 67-day, 4,500-mile journey by bicycle across the country. Won and his teammates pedaled from Seattle to Washington, D.C., to raise money and awareness for people with disabilities.
Won, a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, participated in the Journey of Hope through the fraternity’s philanthropy, The Ability Experience.
The route differed from what Won and the team originally planned. Before leaving, he and his fellow cyclists mapped out a nearly 3,000-mile journey beginning in Santa Clara, Calif., but they actually started the trip farther north.
“I actually went from Seattle to (Washington, D.C.), which is about 4,500 miles,” Won said. “It was a great trip with a lot of growth.”
Won made the journey with a 24-member team consisting of 17 cyclists and seven crew members. Team members met for the first time at the route’s start in Seattle. The crew helped keep the cyclists safe and provided food and hydration at stops approximately every 10 miles. All 17 cyclists completed the journey.
“The good part is we all completed (the journey) as a team. There’s been some times in the past where, unfortunately, some cyclists couldn’t finish it,” Won said. “This year, it was a great team and a great culture. I’m super glad we finished it all together.”
Won first became interested in Journey of Hope because fellow Pi Kappa Phi member Cameron Geranios took part in the bicycle ride the summer prior. Won chose to participate because of his passion for philanthropy paired with his desire to raise awareness for people with disabilities. That purpose remained at the center of the trip.
Along the route, the cyclists participated in what The Ability Experience calls “friendship visits,” where the team stopped by centers that serve people with disabilities. Won estimated the group participated in about 45 friendship visits.
“The main point of the trip is, yes, we cycle, but also to (make) friendship visits,” Won said. “We do this to make meaningful relationships and build a connection. We don’t just go there and say ‘Hi.’”
During friendship visits, the cyclists sang, played games and spent time with residents. Won said those interactions were his favorite part of the journey.
Fundraising was another key part of Won’s effort. Before leaving, he set a goal of raising $30,000 and promoted the cause through campus organizations, Greek organizations and media appearances.
Although he did not reach that goal, Won still raised more than $10,000 and said he was one of the top fundraisers on his team. The team raised more than $500,000 for their cause.
Completing the journey required more than fundraising. Won said the team averaged around 70-80 miles per day. Some days, the group traveled as far as 130 miles, while on lighter days, the team biked 40-60 miles.
The Western portion of the trip presented some of the greatest physical challenges, Won said. The team encountered steep climbs, rough weather and long days on the bicycle. There were moments when he questioned what he had gotten himself into.
“The rest of the kids on the team probably had a positive attitude, but deep down, especially me … I was like, ‘What did I sign up for?’ Won said.
However, he persevered, recalling the people who had supported him, his teammates and the disabled community for whom he was riding.
“I just knew that I could not give up and just kept pushing myself,” Won said.
The journey also gave Won the opportunity to see parts of the country he had never seen before. He encountered mountains and various forms of wildlife, including a moose in Wyoming.
Each morning, the team got together to discuss the day’s mileage, weather and scheduled friendship visit. Won said that he became the group’s unofficial weatherman. He took pride in encouraging his teammates.
“I was always the guy to be the hype man and tell the weather,” Won said.
At night, the team stayed in lodging provided by supporters of The Ability Experience, including YMCAs, schools, churches and, occasionally, hotels in larger cities. Crew vans transported the cyclists’ luggage.
Before leaving, Won viewed the trip as an opportunity to advocate for people with disabilities. After finishing his journey, he said the people he met taught him many lessons.
“We actually learned from them as well, especially me,” Won said. “I learned from the team, from the people, the volunteers at the disability center and the people I met along the way.”
Won joked with friends after returning that he will never touch a bicycle again, though that is not necessarily the case.
“Biking has a special place in my heart,” Won said.
For now, Won plans to continue supporting people with disabilities around Oxford and throughout Mississippi, as well as in his hometown of Boston. While the cross-country ride is done, Won said the cause behind his journey remains important to him.
“The main purpose for me is just to raise awareness and pretty much advocate for the disability community,” Won said.
