Though he is a physically fit U.S. Army reservist who played four sports at Pocatello High School, Chris Heggenberger is gearing up for one of the toughest athletic endeavors he has faced.
Next summer, the 20-year-old Boise State University student will be riding a bike from the Pacific Coast to Washington, D.C., as a part of Journey of Hope, a cross-country trek that raises money and awareness for people with disabilities.
Journey of Hope is a part of the Ability Experience, which is the official charity of Pi Kappa Phi collegiate fraternity.
Last year, Heggenberger became one of the founding fathers of Pi Kappa Phi’s chapter at Boise State University where he is currently majoring in Exercise Science Fitness Evaluation. He will be the first Boise State student to participate in the cross country bike trip, which was started in 1987.
In between the long days of biking on the nation’s roadways, the cyclists will be spending time at hospitals and camps with people with disabilities and raising awareness of their cause.
“All we’re trying to do is put a smile on someone’s face and give them a life-changing experience,” he said.
Heggenberger does not have a lot of experience on a bicycle and has kickstarted his training to prepare for the 3,600-plus-mile course. He recently obtained a specialized carbon fiber bike designed for high-endurance road cycling.
“I’ve been staying up late and working on a stationary bike every day,” he said. “I try to train for two to three hours a day, but on some days I see how far I can go in 30 minutes. It just depends on how much time I have and how the weather is outside.”
Heggenberger will be one of approximately 100 participants in next summer’s race. Though there are three different courses, each with a different starting point (Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles), all of the riders will end on the northwest lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 8.
The cyclists will depart from their respective cities at the end of May and early June.
“I hope I get assigned to the course that starts in Seattle because it’s the longest,” he said. “I think the most interesting part of the trip will be going through Colorado because of the mountains.”
As of Monday, Heggenberger has raised $100 for his trek. The fundraising minimum is $5,500, but his personal goal is $7,500.
To donate money, please visit the organization’s website at www.pushamerica.org/journeyofhope or contact Heggenberger at chrisheggenberger@u.boisestate.edu.