TransAmerica Route

Family and friends are welcomed and encouraged to attend the kick-off; however, it is important that any family or friends planning on coming to Seattle understand that Orientation is for the team to prepare as a group for their time on the road. Time with family during this time will be limited. Most family and friends take this time to see some of the different sites around Seattle. In fact, some team members and their families arrive early to sight-see.

Crew Travel Information

All crew members must arrive at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) for Journey of Hope Crew Training no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, May 28. Transportation from SEA Airport will be provided.

Cyclist Travel Information

Cyclists on the TransAmerica team must arrive at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) for the Team Orientation no later than 2:00 p.m. PST on Saturday, June 1. Anyone driving or arriving prior to June 1 will have two options. You can report directly to Camp Stand By Me in Vaughn, WA by 3pm or meet at Seattle airport by 2pm on Saturday, June 1.

Once your flight is booked, all cyclists must complete this Travel Confirmation Form.

Getting Your Bike To Orientation

All cyclists should bring their bikes on the plane with them as a checked bag. Check with airlines when booking your flight to confirm fees, but most major airlines charge a standard checked bag fee for bike boxes.

Bike should be packed in a cardboard bike box. Any team members using a hard-case bike box will be required to ship it home. Contact your local bike shop for help packing your bike. They should be able to provide you with a box for free or pack it for a small cost. Here is a video of how to pack a cardboard bike box yourself. Write your name on the outside of the box to be able to identify it at orientation.

Journey of Hope Kick-Off Dinner

The 2024 Journey of Hope TransAmerica Kick-Off Dinner will be hosted by The Ability Experience on Tuesday, June 4. Dinner will be at Buca di Beppo (701 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109).

Click Here to Register for Kickoff Dinner

Journey of Hope Kick-Off

The 2024 Journey of Hope TransAmerica team will depart from the Mural Amphitheatre at Seattle Center (305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109 – near the Space Needle) as they head for Enumclaw, WA on their first day of cycling Wednesday, June 5. The team will be departing at 7:30 a.m. Please arrive at 7:00 a.m. to allow plenty of time for photos prior to the team’s Circle-Up and departure. No registration is necessary for the send off.

Hotel Accommodations

Family and friends are responsible for booking their own accommodations while in Seattle. Team member accommodations will be provided by The Ability Experience.

Team members will be staying in Seattle on Tuesday, June 4 at the Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle-Downtown. Family and friends are welcome to book a room at this hotel using our discounted group rate or any other hotel in the area.
Cut-off date for the Hampton Inn room block is May 2.

If you have any questions about the kick-off events in Seattle, please contact Andrew Matznick at amatznick@abilityexperience.org.

Sites to See

Seattle is a wonderful place full of history and things to do. Remember, if you want to explore these sights with your team member, it must be done before Orientation; there will not be time during Orientation. Below are some local attractions in Seattle and surrounding areas:

Pike Place Market
Space Needle
Woodland Park Zoo
Waterfront Park
Seattle Great Wheel
Kerry Park