Jesse Hungerpillar, a senior at Samford University, is using his summer break to go on a bike trip across the United States to help people with disabilities. “The last time I rode a bike was when I was a kid, riding around my neighborhood,” Hungerpillar said. He now rides about 75 miles a day each year for activities organized by his fraternity. This year, Hungerpillar decided to participate. “We have about 20 groups this year, one group from Seattle, one group from San Francisco, going across the United States to Washington, D.C.,” Hungerpillar said. >> Latest: WVTM 13 Headlines and Weather Hungerpillar was in Denver on the Fourth of July and was heading to Colorado Springs. He began his journey in Seattle on Monday after training with his team. “You have to raise a minimum of $6,500 to be on this trip. So everyone who’s been on this trip has raised that amount or close to it. And of course, we’re always trying to raise more to benefit these organizations that help these communities,” Hungerpillar said. The team encountered beautiful scenery, wildlife, and route changes. “Teton Pass collapsed, so we had to drive to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for the day. That was unfortunate, because it was definitely going to be a beautiful trip,” Hungerpillar said. >> Follow us on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube But he said it’s not what he saw that affects him the most, it’s the people he met. Hungerpillar shared a story about meeting a man who had a traumatic brain injury. “We were there and we treated him as one of us. Just one of our guys. I got a little teary. So that was definitely one of the biggest shocks for most of us,” Hungerpillar said. The riders are scheduled to arrive in Washington on August 10. They will stay with sponsored people at community centers and churches. They will have one day off per week. Followers can follow Hungerpillar’s journey on his Instagram page, “Jessie Got a Bike.”
HOMEWOOD, Alabama —
Jesse Hungerpillar, a senior at Samford University, is using his summer break to cycle across America to help people with disabilities.
“The last time I rode my bike was when I was a kid, just riding around my neighborhood,” Hungerpillar said.
He now bikes about 75 miles a day for the fraternity’s annual event, and this year, Hungerpillar decided to participate.
“This year we have about 20 groups going, one from Seattle and one from San Francisco going across the country to Washington, D.C.,” Hungerpillar said.
>> Latest updates: WVTM 13 headlines and weather
Hangarpiller was in Denver on July 4th and was headed to Colorado Springs. He began the trip in Seattle on Monday after training with the team.
“You have to raise a minimum of $6,500 to go on this trip, so everyone who’s been on this trip has raised that amount or close to it, and of course, we’re always trying to raise more to benefit these organizations that help these communities,” Hungerpillar said.
The team encountered beautiful scenery, wildlife and some changes in the route.
“Teton Pass collapsed, so we had to drive to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for the day, which was a bummer because I thought it was going to be a great drive,” Hungerpillar said.
>>Follow us on social media: Facebook | twitter | Instagram | YouTube
But Hungerpillar said it’s not what they see that impacts them most, but the people they meet. He told the story of meeting a man who had suffered a traumatic brain injury.
“We were there and we treated him as one of us. As one of the boys. There were a few tears. So that was definitely one of the biggest shocks for most of us,” Hangerpillar said.
The riders are scheduled to arrive in Washington on August 10. They will stay with sponsors in community centers, churches and other locations. They will have one rest day per week.
Followers can follow Hunger Pillar’s journey on his Instagram page, “Jesse Got a Bike.”