Hundreds of Cyclists Bike to the Beach and Towards Autism Fundraiser Goal

DEWEY BEACH, Del. - Hundreds of cyclists pedaled towards a $700,000 fundraising goal on Friday in the annual Bike to the Beach.

Since 2007, bicyclists from around the region have been pedaling here to Dewey Beach to raise money for different organizations that support autism.

"Years ago back in 1999, a group of friends just wanted to bike to the beach as a challenge and over the years kind of their group of friends grew," says Executive Director Robby Walsh.

A group of more than 700 cyclists crossed the finish line at the Dewey Beach Lions Club on Friday.

"Overall as an organization we give to 75 different organizations," Walsh says. "We give to 15 across Delaware, Maryland, DC and Virginia."

Different starting lines were in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Centerville, Denton and Georgetown. Cyclists chose between a 25, 50, 70, or 100 mile route. Ryan Irvine rolled in with his father around 11:30 am from Denton and says it was all worth it to cycle for the cause "Pretty good weather, mid eighties, so it wasn't too hot," Irvine says. "We went out kind of fast and I was cramping up so the last half was pretty tough." Kyle Lilly's family made a family vacation out of his ride. "This was my first bike to the beach actually," Lilly says. "We saw them riding last year when it was raining, which was probably miserable and I was like I should try and do that."  It's an annual tradition for Team Fusion who rode 100 miles "Our goal was to get in under five hours, so we got it," says William Rodriguez.  "5 hours moving time," Bruno Fernandez says. "We stopped for a drink and restrooms and stuff." Walsh says about $650,000 had been raised by Friday afternoon, but Bike to the Beach's goal was to cross the finish line to $700,000 by the end of the event. 

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