On Saturday, May 18th, a group of fraternity men consisting of 37 cyclists and seven crew members will arrive in Lakeland, having cycled 40 miles from Tampa in one day. The cyclists will be at 1135 Chestnut Rd from 12 noon to 2 pm.
Their journey is day one of Gear Up Florida, a 955-mile annual ride across the state supporting people with disabilities. During the two-week event organized by The Ability Experience, the men will average 75 miles per day as they journey from Miami to Tallahassee, raising funds and awareness.
The team is comprised of men from across the U.S. who are members of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, each of whom has raised at least $3,500. Together with corporate sponsors, the team has raised over $175,000 this year; over its 40-year history, The Ability Experience has raised more than $20 million in support of people with disabilities.
Spanning 13 legs across the state, this journey is not just about the miles covered. It’s about the meaningful interactions the cyclists have with the communities they ride through. At almost every stop, the team engages in Friendship Visits at local community centers and organizations that serve people with disabilities. These visits, featuring activities like basketball games and dancing, are not just moments; they are impactful experiences that foster understanding, empathy, and friendship.
On Saturday, the Gear Up Florida team will have an arrival and friendship visit with our friends at Webster Memorial Baptist Church (1135 N. Chestnut Rd.) at noon. Webster Memorial, a pillar of support for the Gear Up Florida team, has been organizing lunch and dinner events for members of the disability community for many years. Their continued commitment is a testament to the strong community spirit that drives this event. For many years, the visit to Webster Memorial Baptist Church has been voted as the favorite visit of Gear Up Florida team members.
The Ability Experience’s mission is to use shared experiences to support people with disabilities and develop the men of Pi Kappa Phi into servant leaders. Along with Gear Up Florida, The Ability Experience builds amenities at camps that serve people with disabilities and coordinates programming to support people with disabilities through the 165 chapters of Pi Kappa Phi. As the national philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, The Ability Experience was founded in 1977 and is committed to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities.