Fraternity cyclists push limit for charity

Bruce Baker/McCook Daily Gazette

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Cyclists participating in the 25th Journey of Hope arrived in McCook, Sunday afternoon, after completing a 92 mile stretch that begun in Wray, Colorado. A total of 30 cyclists kicked off this year's cross-country journey trek in June, at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

The riders will average 80 miles a day on the 68-day trip until they reach Washington, D.C., anticipated to be on Aug. 5, 2012, all in an effort to raise awareness and funds for individuals with disabilities.

Temperatures remained below 100 degrees for the cyclists Sunday, but not by much, the day's high was 98 degrees. Struggling against high temperatures and a headwind for the last 60 miles of the day's trek, riders said the sight of Walmart on the horizon as they approached McCook on U.S. Highway 6 and 34, was nothing short of an oasis.

Peter Bassick of Lake Forest, Illinois, and Connor Petersen of Denver catch their breath after being the first of 30 cyclists to arrive in McCook, Sunday afternoon. (Bruce Baker/McCook Daily Gazette)

Before the trek even begins, each cyclist must commit to raising $5,500 in support of the cause, assisting with the more than $650,000 in funds that Journey of Hope teams has raised in 2012.

All cyclists are Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members from across the country, including one Nebraskan, Christian Jewett of Blair. According to one rider, the fraternity is also the only one in the world to own and operate its own charity, Push America, which organizes the ride.

For more information visit www.pushamerica.org.