Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 21, 1992 TAG: 9203210187
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JIM ROBERTS
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"I have a mountain bike. That's about it," he said.
Treichler, a sophomore at Virginia Tech, and 49 other members of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity nationwide will participate in "Journey of Hope," an annual bike trek sponsored by People Understanding the Severely Handicapped.
Along the way, the group will make educational stops to teach people about the handicapped.
"This is something great," Treichler said.
"I never really did anything like this before. It's my chance to put something back into the world."
People Understanding the Severely Handicapped, the national service project of Pi Kappa Phi, was created in 1977.
Since then, it has raised $1.75 million.
The group tries to improve the lives of disabled people through service, volunteerism, education and awareness.
The organization hopes to raise $200,000 on this year's trek, and Treichler must raise $4,000 by May 15 to qualify for the ride.
Treichler said the selection of riders was based on fund-raising abilities and experience with the handicapped - not cycling expertise.
At his high school in Bethlehem, Pa., he became involved with Special Olympics.
"It seems like people are afraid of the handicapped," Treichler said.
"A mother will tell her kid not to ask a handicapped person a question. There's just, like, a fear, but being handicapped is completely natural.
"I want to realize what they go through and increase that awareness."
To prepare for the bike route, which winds through the Rocky Mountains, Treichler is riding as much as he can and working out three days a week.
"I'm not really worried about the biking," he said.
"There's just going to be so much energy on the whole trip. There's always going to be something to look forward to. Biking is just the secondary part of it."
Anyone interested in making a contribution to People Understanding the Severely Handicapped (PUSH) can reach Treichler at 953-0611.
by CNB