Undergraduate Profile – Nick Helton, UNC Charlotte ’27
When Nick Helton, UNC Charlotte ’27, set out to complete his Iron Phi challenge, he didn’t just want to test his endurance—he wanted to make it count. Inspired by a longtime goal to bike across North Carolina, Nick turned his idea into a meaningful journey by stopping at every active Phi Delta Theta chapter in the state. Over the course of nine days, he pedaled hundreds of miles, met fellow brothers, and raised funds to support ALS families.
What inspired you to take on this Iron Phi challenge?
I’ve always wanted to bike across North Carolina, and I figured, what better reason to finally do it than for charity? I decided to make the route even more meaningful by stopping at every active Phi Delt chapter in the state.
Did you have to train for this? If so, when did you start?
I didn’t have an intense training plan. I started riding a stationary bike about a month before the trip. The longest ride I had done prior to this was just three hours. During the journey, though, I was biking six to nine hours a day, so it was a pretty steep jump.
How did you map out your route across North Carolina to hit all the chapters?
I used Apple Maps to plan the route, starting from one end of the state and plugging in the location of every campus. I reached out to as many chapters as I could on Instagram. Some responded, and I got to meet brothers in person.
Can you walk us through a typical day on your ride? What did it look like from morning to night?
Each day started in a hotel around 7 or 8 a.m. I’d eat breakfast, shower, get dressed, and make sure my GoPro and gear were ready. I usually hit the road by 9 or 10 a.m., rode for three to four hours, stopped for lunch or a snack from my bag, then rode until I reached that day’s destination around 5 or 6 p.m.
What were some of the most difficult moments during the nine days, and how did you push through them?
The hardest day by far was the final stretch into Appalachian State. I underestimated how brutal the Appalachian Mountains would be. I planned to ride most of the day, but I ended up walking half of it. I was completely exhausted and had to adjust my plans to make up those missed miles later.
Do you have a favorite moment or experience from your biking journey?
As funny as it sounds, my favorite part was meeting the Phis at each chapter. Every campus had a different vibe, and it was awesome to see the unique personalities of each brotherhood. I also really enjoyed riding through small towns and taking in the scenery every day.
How will this experience shape your involvement with Phi Delta Theta moving forward?
This experience made me want to step up even more. I’d love to be the next philanthropy chair for my chapter, and after taking a Greek leadership course at school, I’m excited to be more involved in leading our chapter overall.
What message do you hope people take away from your story?
If there’s one thing I hope people take away from this, it’s that you can make a difference. You just have to start.
