The group of 14 cyclists will begin their 325-mile ride at Point State Park in downtown Pittsburgh and follow the Great Allegheny Passage Rail Trail and the C&O Canal Path.

Click here to view the trip itinerary.

Click here to follow the group as they bike towards Washington, D.C. 

Click here to follow the bike's blog.

There are more than 6,000 rare disorders, and they affect the daily lives of approximately 25 million Americans.

A critical key to continuing rare disease research is the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Rare Diseases Research.

The cyclists will deliver a letter signed by hundreds of rare disease patients, caregivers and medical professionals to a Congressional Representative on the U.S. Capitol steps.

The letter will stress the need for funding rare disease research.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE:

To add your comments to the letter, please email: raredisease@vasculitisfoundation.org

In your email, please include the following information:

1.  Your name/Address (is optional)

2.  If you are a patient or caregiver, please give the name of your disease

3.  Please state in two or three sentences your support for more research and funding into rare diseases. 

The VF Power Pedal Team includes 11 members from Pennsylvania, two from Ohio and one from Missouri.

To learn more about the rare diseases represented by this event please visit the following websites or download the PDF information document below:

The PAN Support Network

The National Adrenal Diseases Foundation

National Urea Cycle Disorders Foundation

Platelet Disorder Support Association

NIH Office of Rare Diseases Research

Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation

CARES Foundation, Inc.

Children's Liver Association for Support Services

National Organization of Rare Disorders

Churg Strauss Syndrome Association

Vasculitis Foundation