Sugar Land native bikes across Florida for charities

Zak Shakhshir is currently near Ocala, Fla., nearing the end of an 800-mile bike trip in support of people with disabilities.

Shakhshir, and about 25 others have been zig-zagging across the state as part of the annual Gear Up Florida project, part of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity's philanthropic organization Push America. The ride began May 15 in Miami, and will culminate May 28 in the state capital, Tallahassee.

"Throughout the trip we stop at different organizations that work with people with disabilities, and hand them grant checks," Shakhshir says. According to Push America's website, Shakhshir, a Sugar Land native and University of Houston junior, has raised $2,885 for the ride.

Shakshir, who's studying Kinesiology and sports administration, says he didn't get into cycling until he participated last year in another of the fraternity's charity rides, the cross-country Journey of Hope.

His current ride's route hits just about every part of Florida, crossing from Miami toward the Tampa Bay area, then on to Orlando and Ocala, then northeast to Jacksonville, and then back west to the state's panhandle.

"We have a tough stretch coming on," Shakhshir says. "We have a 60-mile day going into Gainesville, and a 90-mile day to Jacksonville."

On an average day, the team makes two stops, at organizations like The Russell Home for Atypical Children in Orlando. In addition to helping the charities out directly, Shakhshir says the trip helps to raise awareness among people the team encounters. "Especially when we're at a stoplight, people ask," he says.