9:16 a.m., Aug. 25, 2009----Ryan Curran, a University of Delaware student, recently bicycled across the United States to raise funds for and awareness about persons with disabilities.

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Curran, a junior in the Lerner College of Business and Economics, took part in Pi Kappa Phi fraternity's Push America Journey of Hope, in which cyclists pedaled from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. He is a member of Pi Kappa Phi's Theta Nu chapter at UD.

The Push America Journey of Hope includes students from universities all over the country. Members had to train hard for the rigors of the trip, as well as raise at least $5,000 each to support the cause.

All along the way the team members make “friendship visits” at organizations that serve people with disabilities in cities and small towns along the route.

The route from San Francisco to Washington took Curran across mountains and prairies, with the riders passing through Salt Lake City, Denver, Omaha and Chicago as they pedaled east. Team members rode about 75 miles a day and arrived in front of the Capitol on Aug. 15.

According to the Push America Web site, the Journey of Hope is about “challenging the norm,” “serving our communities,” “finding out more about ourselves than we ever imagined” and having a dream and a mission. Each year the ride raises about $500,000.

Last year, UD alumni Tom Merring and Barney Fortunato completed the ride.