Craig Daily Press

Craig — Riding across America on a piece of metal.

This is how Bobby Barczyk, 21, will spend his summer before beginning his senior year at Colorado State University. He described the experience as “the opportunity of a lifetime,” not only because of the exercise, but the goodwill involved.

Barczyk was one of 21 cyclists who stopped in Craig on Thursday for a respite after six hours on the road since their last stop in Dinosaur. The children and staff of the Boys & Girls Club of America welcomed the bikers, who explained their cause to the kids.

The group is biking for the Journey of Hope, a cross-country excursion and charity effort sponsored by the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity and its nonprofit organization, Push America.

Push America is directed toward working with people with disabilities.

“Our message is that people with disabilities are people first,” said Steve Golden, Journey of Hope public relations coordinator. “The organization works with people who are disabled mentally or physically in any way, and we can see how capable so many of them are. I think that the physical challenge involved in biking has a real connection to our work.”

After a question and answer session, the Journey of Hope riders entered the building that would house them for the night to refresh themselves and to mingle with the young members of the club by utilizing the gaming equipment and gymnasium available.

Rider Max Froseth, 20, enjoyed a game of air hockey with Dalton Greenwood, 9. Greenwood enjoyed the presence of the college-aged cyclists.

“I think they’re cool because they like to ride bikes so much,” Greenwood said.

Froseth was impressed with the Boys & Girls Club.

“The facilities here are a lot nicer than some of the places we’ve been,” Forseth said. “They gave us a sweet reception, too. It’s all part of a great experience. I just wish I could’ve done it last year.”

Journey of Hope has passed through Craig several times in past years. Their route began June 15 at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and ends Aug. 16 on the West front lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Froseth, a finance and business student at University of Colorado Boulder, had to raise more than $5,000 — a minimum for each rider — to participate in the trip. The funds raised by the riders — all of whom are Pi Kappa Phi brothers — this year total $490,000.

“The OtterBox company in Fort Collins sponsored me for $2,000 alone,” he said. “It seemed kind of daunting, at first, to try to raise that much money, but it’s nice to see how many people care about the cause.”

The riders performed a puppet show entitled “Kids on the Block,” which educated the audience of about 70 children on the subject of disabilities.

“I think the kids really responded well,” said Dana Duran, club director. “They love meeting new people. We want them to be exposed to new things and see that the world doesn’t end at Highway 40.”

The cyclists’ next stop will be Steamboat Springs, where they will ride in the town’s Fourth of July parade.

“It’s well worth all the work involved,” Barczyk said. “I’ve gotten to meet people, establish friendships and have quite an adventure.”

Andy Bockelman can be reached at 875-1796 or abockelman@craigdailypress.com.