04 Mar 2025 4 min read Interviews

Pedaling for a Purpose: Aaron Dusenbury’s Journey with Esto Vir and The Ability Experience

Cycling has always been about more than just the bike for Aaron Dusenbury. As a senior at NC State, he’s found a way to turn his passion for biking into a mission—raising awareness and funds for people with disabilities. Through Esto Vir, a men’s cycling group affiliated with NC State’s Catholic Campus Ministry, he and his team are preparing for their second annual ride, a 10-day journey from Bumpass, VA, to Asheville, NC, from March 7-16, 2025. With a growing team and a fundraising goal of $20,000, Aaron reflects on last year’s experience and how it deepened his perspective on struggle, service, and the power of human connection.

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Support Esto Vir’s 2025 ride from Bumpass, VA, to Asheville, NC, by donating here or following their journey on Instagram @estovir_blueridgetour.

From Raleigh Roots to the Road Ahead

Growing up in North Raleigh, Aaron watched the city transform. “I remember when Rolesville was just small roads leading nowhere,” he says. “Now, it’s booming.”

Cycling has been a constant in his life. “It was always about freedom, exercise, and meeting like-minded people,” he says. At NC State, he connected with the cycling community and expanded his interests in statistics, real estate, and permaculture. A conversation with a friend inspired him to take cycling in a new direction.

Esto Vir: A Brotherhood on Bikes

Aaron’s journey with Esto Vir began after hearing about a friend’s cross-country ride with The Ability Experience. “He biked coast to coast in 62 days, raising money and meeting a bunch of awesome people,” Aaron shares. “I thought, ‘What’s stopping us from doing something like that?’”

That question turned into action. In March 2024, Aaron and a team of cyclists rode from Washington, D.C., to Asheville along the Blue Ridge Parkway, meeting disability-focused organizations and raising $12,000. “We wanted to make people with disabilities feel like celebrities,” he says. “We wanted them to know we were riding to see them.”

Riding for a Cause

The team visited three nonprofits, each working tirelessly to support people with disabilities: First WNC in Asheville, which was founded by a parent seeking better resources for their child; Masterpiece Alliance, dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through community and faith-based initiatives; and Special Olympics NC, which provides year-round sports training and competition for people with intellectual disabilities.

Beyond raising funds, the ride was about connecting with the nonprofits and those they served. “We didn’t just drop off a check,” Aaron says. “We sang karaoke, played basketball, and celebrated with people who often don’t get that kind of attention. Seeing their joy made the ride worth it.”

Perspective and Brotherhood

Cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway wasn’t easy. “Seven-mile climbs, twelve-mile climbs—there was a lot of suffering,” Aaron recalls. “But it was temporary. Some people wake up every day facing struggles they can’t just push through. That realization changed us.”

For Aaron, the experience hit close to home. “My sister has schizophrenia, and seeing the dedication of staff at these organizations reminded me how much kindness exists in the world.”

The suffering also forged bonds. “You get back and see these guys on campus, dap them up, nothing else needs to be said. Struggle forms real connections, and that’s something society forgets.”