Journey of Hope cyclists to spend night at Idaho Falls YMCA

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — A group of cyclists riding across the country to support the disability community is making a stop in Idaho Falls this week.

The Idaho Falls Family YMCA is hosting riders from the Ability Experience's Journey of Hope on Thursday, June 18, as they travel across the United States raising awareness and celebrating the abilities of people with disabilities.

The team will spend the night in Idaho Falls after completing an 80-mile ride before continuing on to Driggs Friday morning.

Journey of Hope is an annual cycling event organized by The Ability Experience, a nonprofit founded by the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. The program aims to build relationships and support people with disabilities through advocacy, fundraising and community engagement.

The cyclists began their TransAmerica route on June 3 in Enumclaw, Washington. They entered Idaho on June 10 with a stop in Coeur d'Alene and stayed in Sandpoint the following day before traveling through Montana.

After re-entering Idaho this week, the team made stops in Salmon and Leadore before arriving in Idaho Falls.

Following their overnight stay in eastern Idaho, the riders will continue to Driggs before spending the weekend in Jackson, Wyoming.

By the end of the journey, the cyclists will have traveled through 14 states, including Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia before finishing in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 8.

Organizers say the ride is designed to foster inclusion and celebrate the abilities of all people while strengthening connections between communities across the country.