Bailey cycles across U.S. to raise funds for The Ability Experience

Sept. 9, 2019

Robert Bailey, a Slippery Rock University senior accounting major from Mount Pleasant, completed a 67-day, cross-country bicycle tour this summer, sponsored by The Ability Experience, the national philanthropy of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity.

Bailey was one of 83 cyclists on the Journey of Hope team and one of 29 cyclists to take the 4,350-mile Trans-America Route from Gig Harbor, Washington, to Washington, D.C. Cyclists from two other routes and teams were greeted by supporters on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, Aug. 10.

More than $827,000 was raised through the event, including $7,000 raised by Bailey from his supporters. Proceeds benefited The Ability Experience, which supports people with disabilities with community-building programming through a network of 200 organizations in 41 states. Members of the Journey of Hope team visited with community members that The Ability Experience supports at stops along the cycling tour, conducting games and other activities with them.