Five guys donned their biking gear and took off Friday morning from Raleigh to make a 113-mile trip to Washington. At 4:45 p.m., they rode down Stewart Parkway, the first cyclists to appear on their bicycles for this weekend’s Easter Seals/UCP Ride Without Limits.

Scott Winter, Jim Krug, Ryan Hayden, Jim Casper and his son, Alex, made the trip traveling an average 17.7 mph on an unseasonably warm October day, stopping only at 30, 50 and 70 miles for breaks, before making a visit to Easter Seals/UCP’s Summer Moore Children’s Center in Greenville.

“Those kids were great,” said Krug, who, along with Winter, came up with the idea to launch RWL with the long-distance ride from Raleigh. “They were all lined up waiting for us. That was the last bit of motivation we needed.”

Thirteen-year-old Alex Casper took the first opportunity to hop off his bike and lay down on a bit of waterfront grass after the finish line being set up as they passed. Alex’s father, Jim, pointed out the trip was a personal best for Alex: his previous longest ride was 102 miles; this one was 113.4 miles.

“All these guys — they’re strong. They’re really amazing,” Krug said.

Winter was replaced by another cyclist, Greg Emanuele, once the five cyclists got to Greenville, due to time constraints.

“Now we go get cleaned up and get some food and start over again tomorrow,” Krug said.

Over 200 riders are expected to launch Ride Without Limits at 8 a.m. Saturday morning. The ride recently moved its home base to Washington, which has gained recognition on the cycling circuit for its central, waterfront location and miles of rural—and flat—country roads. Ride Without Limits brings together people of all abilities to raise fund for Easter Seals/UCP, which in turn supports services for people with disabilities nationwide.

Krug and the rest of Friday’s riders will pull off another 112 miles Saturday and do it again on Sunday, for a total of 350 weekend miles.

“It was definitely worth it,” Krug said of the Raleigh to Washington. “I believe we brought some attention to (Ride Without Limits), so that was good.”

Ride Without Limits’ opening ceremony is at 7:30 a.m. at Stewart Parkway and Respess Street; race start is 8 a.m. Saturday’s events close with the Raleigh-based Chris Hendricks Band from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.