Over the summer, Troy University senior Loftin Worthington, a journalism major from Troy and member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, completed The Ability Experience’s Journey of Hope (JOH), a 3,000-mile cross-country cycling expedition that raises funds and awareness for people with disabilities. The journey began at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and concluded at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

For Worthington, the cross-country trek reinforced his belief in the power of community service.

“If I was able to ride a bicycle across the country, giving up my whole summer to help out the disabled community, then it really isn’t that hard to give up one day a month or one day a week to help out your local community,” Worthington said.

The journey required months of preparation, including intensive fundraising and physical training. Worthington raised more than $6,500 with significant support from Pi Kappa Phi alumni, including Scott Hartley, Bandy Pinkard and Dean of Student Services, Herbert Reeves.

The daily routine included wake-up calls between 5 and 6 a.m., followed by hours of cycling in pace lines of four riders. Support crew vehicles provided water and food stops every 10 miles. The longest single day of riding covered 130 miles into Salt Lake City.

Worthington’s journey took a turn in Steamboat, Colorado, when a serious crash separated his collarbone, tore three ligaments and completely snapped his bike fork. Despite medical recommendations to stay off the bike for an extended period, he returned to riding after a week and a half.

“I learned that I could keep going after I take a big fall,” he said. “I used to always think that I was kind of soft. Something I really learned about myself is that I can keep pushing and working for a bigger goal, because it’s not just about me, it’s about what we’re doing and helping out the communities around us.”

The injury forced him to miss what many riders considered the trip’s highlight: a Friendship Visit in Empire, Colorado, at an extensive ability camp featuring rock climbing, swimming and other accessible outdoor activities. Friendship Visits occurred throughout the journey and provided cyclists with opportunities to interact directly with local organizations that support people of all abilities.

Despite missing that Friendship Visit, Worthington found his most memorable moment at a Friendship Visit in Chicago, where he connected with Nico, a young man with Down syndrome.

“As soon as we got there, this one guy named Nico just came up, grabbed my hand, showed me around the whole place,” he said. “We ate together. We rode on a bike together, that was probably the closest I’d gotten to someone on the trip.”

Having completed the journey, Worthington reflected on the transformative experience.

“It was an amazing adventure,” he said. “I have made friends for life, and I feel accomplished knowing I made an impact in communities across the country. If I could do it all again, I would.”

For this year’s Journey of Hope, Worthington exceeded his fundraising goals and directed additional donations to local Alabama organizations. He sent $500 to Dean Reeves for Alabama Special Olympics and supported Truly Chosen, a local disability advocacy organization.

Upon returning to Troy for his senior year, Worthington plans to increase his community involvement and encourage his fraternity brothers to join him in local disability advocacy efforts. After graduation, he hopes to film professional sports.

“You can always do something for your community,” he shared.

Worthington isn’t done with The Ability Experience. He plans to apply for Gear Up Florida during spring break, a similar concept that spans from Miami to Tallahassee over two weeks. He’s also considering returning to Journey of Hope as a photographer and videographer, traveling in support vehicles instead of biking.

“I am thinking about doing JOH again but being a photographer and in a car instead of biking because it would be good for my resume as a videographer,” he said. “I would do the Trans American route instead of the North route so I can see what I missed this year.”

Those interested in supporting Worthington’s continued fundraising efforts for local Alabama disability organizations can email him at lworthington224055@troy.edu.