Pi Kappa Phi brothers ready to hit the road for charity

The Blade – Jeremy Wadsworth

Conor Welsch will participate in the Journey of Hope, a 3,500-mile trek across the United States from June 3 until August 8, while Tim Schlachter will start an 865-mile, 17-day Gear Up Florida ride across the Sunshine State on May 7.

Both programs are through The Ability Experience, a nonprofit organization and national philanthropy of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity that serves people with disabilities.

“When I was growing up, one of my best friends was my cousin who has cerebral palsy, and both of my parents are special-education teachers, so I’ve always had a tie with the disability community,” Mr. Welsch said. “The riding is awesome, and the riding is symbolic, but it is not what the whole trip is about.”

The two have only started road cycling since last summer, and Mr. Welsch says he logged more than 1,000 miles of training over the summer. As roommates and members of the Pi Kappa Phi chapter at UT, they are able to motivate each other as they train for their summer travel.

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