Vijai

​My Peloton and I are currently in a state of shock!

*dramatic exhale*

​Okay... Hear me out... I may have girl bossed way too hard and made the cycling team for The Ability Experience’s Gear Up New York summer event.

​For those of you tuning in mid-season, I have spent the last few years in a very committed relationship with a shoulder injury. Naturally, instead of easing back into reality, I decided the only logical next step was a 10 day, 560+ mile bike ride from Niagara Falls to Manhattan. It is the nourishment my sensitive toxic masculinity requires.

​This is another collaborative effort for the books, this time with my national fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi. Keeping the mission in mind, this endeavor is about executing something for personal growth. Last year’s focus was being intentional; how serendipitous to have this opportunity appear just as the stride felt right again.

​In spite of holding on with both hands, the twins are now 16, entering that phase of life where nostalgia is planted. Approaching this adventure with a novice grip, wrapped in a very body conscious, unforgiving cycling bib, and fueled by a constant "oh my God, why am I doing this" is a solid way to demonstrate that there is no timeline to feel pressured to follow. The core of The Ability Experience runs parallel to my own work in advancing accessibility. My understanding of these limitations is rooted in more than just professional experiences; it was shaped by watching someone I love face a sudden and total confinement of his physical self. I watched him navigate a world that was not proactively built for his success, trapped in a stillness he didn't choose and a silence imposed by a tracheostomy, before he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

​To ensure this effort translates into something more than just miles, I am fundraising for The Ability Experience. This is where we turn advocacy into the actual resources that restore autonomy. We are working to ensure that accessibility remains an invigorating right, the same childlike hope and reckless abandon that comes with being able to move and be moved through the world.

​True accessibility isn't just about the physical path; it is the right to be understood. It is the exhilaration of the wind on your skin, and the profound victory of a mind finally having the tools to communicate and be heard. Whether it is independence gained or bridging a cognitive gap, every dollar provides the scaffolding for that specific human spirit to thrive in its own brilliance.

​Full disclosure: the last time I was on a bike outdoors, I was likely a child. My current relationship with cycling is strictly stationary and Peloton adjacent; however, in returning to the pavement, I am chasing that sensation of catching snowflakes on my tongue, a revisiting of a part of myself I misplaced decades ago. While I could be misinterpreted as arrogant, I will champion and destroy the distance ahead of me. Navigating a steep learning curve of gear, grit, and the open road, I am tapping back into a specific childhood curiosity, a fearlessness that tackles a challenge at full strength because that child never defined himself by his limitations.

​Consider me an unlit torch seeking the brightness of the community. I am approaching this challenge with the mentality fitting of unrestrained laughter and limitless curiosity; I have absolutely no idea what I am doing, and I find that prospect entirely invigorating and completely contrary to my norm. To secure the mission, I am seeking the essentials that only experience can provide. I need the gear that survives the distance, the technical skills that must be prioritized, and a masterclass in the fuel that sustains a spirit on the move. I am currently navigating the dark on these details, and I welcome your light.

​Most importantly, this is an invitation to turn advocacy into tangible impact. I am fundraising for The Ability Experience to ensure that this sense of tenacity is a right available to everyone. Whether you contribute to the goal, offer advice on the best equipment for the journey, or decide to be one of the brave souls logging training miles by my side, I honor and welcome the company. Let’s build this radiance together.

​Illuminated,

​VIJAI