PHOTO: A group of cyclists riding across the nation to raise money and awareness for Americans with disabilities is making a stop in Nevada on Tuesday. Las Vegas photo courtesy of Clark County, Nevada.

 By Troy Wilde, Contact

June 10, 2014

LAS VEGAS - A national bicycle tour raising money and awareness for Americans with disabilities stops in Nevada Tuesday and Wednesday.

Annie Smiley, public relations coordinator with the non-profit Push America, says the riders with the organization's "Journey of Hope" will participate in several activities including wheelchair basketball while in Las Vegas.

"Throughout the visit, when they have friendship visits, they are also creating a friendship and a bond to raise awareness and to get to know these people and promote optimism toward people with disabilities," says Smiley.

Smiley says the Journey of Hope consists of 36 cyclists and crew members riding a 3,900-mile route that started in Long Beach, California, early this month and is scheduled to end in Washington, D.C. in August. She says the riders are current members and alumni of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, which operates Push America.

Smiley adds the Journey of Hope is expected to raise about $500,000 this year.

"On average, each cyclist commits to raising a minimum of $5,500," says Smiley. "To date, Push America and Pi Kappa Phi have raised over $15 million."

Push America says the Journey of Hope includes stops in several U.S. cities, and riders hope to pedal up to 75 miles per day during the heat of summer.

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