Chris Lawrence – Metro News
The caravan with the 20 riders and eight crew members hit West Virginia this week with stops in Huntington on Wednesday, Charleston on Thursday, and they’ll hit Beckley on Friday.
“I had never cycled before signing up for this trip,” said rider Chris Heggenberger a student at Boise State University who added despite the grueling miles he’s covered he’s never thought about dropping out. “I realized quitting isn’t something that should happen because of who we’re doing it for. It’s really a lot of motivation and you don’t want to quit any day.”
They’re doing it for those with disabilities. The ride is aimed at raising money and awareness of the plight of those who struggle with various disabilities. Part of the trip includes stopping along the way and visiting with those who suffer from disabilities. They visited a children’s’ therapy clinic in Charleston on Thursday and stopped at the Mountain State Center for Independent Living in Huntington. “The main focus of the trip is these friendship visits with the client,” said Heggenberger “Really, it’s all for them, not just for the riding.”
Pi Kappa Phi has raised over $15 Million over the years for those with disabilities with the annual ride. Kevin Baldwin, a student at Virginia Tech, was excited about the ride rolling through his stomping grounds in Blacksburg, Va. later this week. He said it was the experiences learned from past fraternity brothers who took the trip which motivated him.