For 64 days and more than 4,000 miles, Alpharetta resident Chris Stubel plans to pedal his bike with a grander cause in mind.

Through the Push America foundation, a philanthropic organization created by the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity that Stubel belongs to; he will make the transcontinental ride known as the “Journey of Hope” to raise money for Americans living with disabilities.

“It is one of those opportunities that was an easy decision for me to make,” said Stubel, a 2009 Alpharetta High School graduate and current student at Georgia Tech majoring in electrical engineering. “I have a love for biking and it is such a great chance for me to do something to help others out.”

“I’ve always been rather well off in my life honestly, but I’m also aware that there are so many others that [struggle with disabilities] and I want to do whatever I can to help them out,” he said.

Founded in 1977, Push America was created by Pi Kappa Phi to mobilize the workforce that was the fraternity’s undergraduate members.

To date the group has raised more than $15 million to benefit people with disabilities and organizations dedicated to their service.

The Journey of Hope ride will include three separate groups of roughly 25 Pi Kappa Phi members biking from Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco and eventually all meeting in Washington D.C. The three rides encompass 32 states, cover 12,000 miles, and raises over $500,000 annually.

Chris’ ride, which will start on June 3 of next year, will start in San Francisco and cover just over two months on the calendar. After riding between 60 and 110 miles each day, his nights will end with “friendship visits” in various town locations ranging from gyms, churches and centers for those with disabilities. Each visit will then include interaction with the Americans he is raising money for, a variety of games, activities, and a nightly meal.

With the start of his ride 10 months away, Stubel said he has begun training and is making his fundraising plans for the event — he must raise $7,000 to participate in the ride.

“As soon as school starts I will start training to ride around 200 miles a week along with work in the gym and running to make sure I am in shape.

“Other than that I’ll be reaching out to alumni, making presentations to other student groups, and hopefully putting together a local bike-a-thon to support the cause.”

“Whatever I have to do to make an impact on people’s lives.”

Information: support.pushamerica.org/goto/chrisstubel.