by CHLOE COCHRAN
Staff Writer | June 13, 2026 1:00 AM
SANDPOINT — The 55-mile journey to Sandpoint was a breeze for the Journey of Hope Trans-America team, who cycled in on Thursday from Coeur d’Alene for a friendship visit with Panhandle Special Needs Inc.
In hindsight, they would have traveled three times that distance for the chance to create lasting memories and build meaningful connections with people with disabilities.
The ride is a reminder that some of the greatest impact comes from serving others first.
At least that’s what members of the 2026 Journey of Hope Trans-America team believe. Made up of 16 cyclists and seven crew members from across the country, the team has dedicated their summer to cycling 4,000 miles to raise awareness and create memories with people with disabilities.
Their journey across America is no small feat, but the riders say the reward comes from the opportunities it creates for people across the country — and the perspective it gives the riders themselves.
“When I first heard that we would be visiting on friendship visits, I thought this was a great opportunity to get to know more people and become a better person myself. It’s a great opportunity to be the best person you can be every day, while learning from the team and the friendships we make,” cyclist Nathan Won said.
For their ninth stop on the Trans-America tour, the 23-member team stopped at the Elks Golf Course and Lodge to visit with PSNI, an adult developmental disability agency serving Bonner and Boundary counties.
“We’re on nine days of a 67-day cross-country trip, but, you know, it’s probably been the best nine days of my life. I’m just so happy to be here,” Won said.
It was an exciting time to be had for all, as PSNI adults were eager to meet and spend time with the cycling crew. Shouts of “they’re coming!” and “I’m so excited” rang out as the riders approached the Elks. Smiles could be seen on anyone who witnessed the encounter.
“We love it. We look forward to this every year. We buy our special shirts for the event — it’s a big deal to vote on the color. It’s a whole thing,” Executive Director Trinity Nicholson said.
Sandpoint is an annual stop for Journey of Hope, being a friendship visit since 2018, according to the Journey of Hope website.
For two hours, cyclists, crew members and PSNI adults and staff enjoyed a friendship visit, complete with a pulled pork feast, lively music to dance to, and meaningful conversation.
“These guys are dancing as if they didn’t just get off a 55-mile bike ride. But in reality, they would have this energy if the ride were 120 miles. Creating these memories is what this is all about,” Project Manager Oliver Stolarek said as cyclists danced to the “Cupid Shuffle,” “YMCA,” and other lively songs with PSNI adults.
The cross-country ride is organized by The Ability Experience, a national philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. As part of the ride, participants commit to raising a minimum of $6,500 on behalf of The Ability Experience. Funds go to support organizations that empower people with disabilities. So far, the philanthropy has raised approximately $473,631.
“I didn’t anticipate how much fun I would have in the process. I thought, what an opportunity this would be, to dedicate my entire summer to it. Spend two-and-a-half months cycling across the country, spreading light in communities around the nation, while also seeing the beautiful nature that God created along the way,” cyclist Pete Kelley said.
This year, Stolarek had the honor of awarding PSNI a $750 grant, on behalf of the team, for any project that they are working on where extra funds would be beneficial.
The Trans-America team is one of two cyclists traveling across the country, raising awareness for people with disabilities. Journey of Hope Trans-America travels from Seattle to Washington D.C., while the Journey of Hope North Route travels from San Francisco to Washington D.C.
The first philanthropic ride across the country occurred in 1987, when Pi Kappa Phi member Bruce Rogers cycled from Oregon to Virginia to raise awareness for people with disabilities. Since that initial ride, over 2,400 Pi Kappa Phi brothers have cycled across the country to raise funds for their mission, according to the organization.
“People with disabilities contribute powerfully to their communities. Too often, society imposes limiting perceptions and language on these individuals, but at The Ability Experience, we’re committed to changing that narrative,” The Ability Experience officials said.
After their Sandpoint passthrough, the team will make friendship visits to Hamilton, Montana, and Shoshoni, Wyoming.
