The City of Arlington is expecting the arrival of about 35 cyclists on Monday, July 8. The rest stop in downtown Arlington at 11:30 a.m. is part of a 4,000-mile cross-country journey to raise awareness of people with disabilities. Last year, the event helped raise more than $300,000.

A welcoming ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. in front of City Hall at 101 W. Abram St. Arlington Mayor Elzie Odom will help welcome the cyclists and proclaim Monday, July 8 Push America Day in Arlington. A commemorative flag featuring the United States Postal Service Pro Cycling Team will be raised.

Push America is a non-profit organization founded in 1977 by Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity for the purpose of serving people with disabilities.

Immediately following the ceremony at City Hall, the cyclists will travel to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor where they will spend the afternoon with disabled youth from the City of Arlington Parks Department Adaptive Program.

"The Journey of Hope is a ride with a purpose," said organizer Lynda Freeman. "It allows us to discover more about ourselves than we ever imagined. It is about hope."

Two teams of 35 cyclists departed San Francisco, Calif. on June 2. They are expected to arrive in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 4, completing their 4,000-mile, 64-day journey. The riders average about 75 miles a day.

Local sponsors include Saturn of Arlington, Comfort Inn, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor and the City of Arlington Police and Parks departments.