On March 9, 2013 the, "Sandy Hook Ride on Washington Rally" began bright and early as the riders began preparing for their departure. The 26 riders participating in the four day, four hundred mile journey from Newtown, Connecticut to Washington D.C. was to draw attention to sensible gun regulations. They were a mix of professional, top amateur, and masters cyclists from throughout the Northeast. The team included a former U.S. National Team member, Canadian National Team member, Masters National Champion, and State and Regional Champions. Throughout the journey, the riders were accompanied by a Newtown police car with stops in cities and towns along the way. For the beginning portion of their journey they were joined by community bicyclists, and police cars from several CT towns in support of their cause.

Three members of the riding team were from Newtown, including Monte Frank, a Danbury attorney and board member of the Newtown Action Alliance who organized the ride. Also from Newtown were Bill Muzzio and Chris Peck. Two of the riders have children who went to the Sandy Hook School and the team includes parents, teachers, a Newtown Police Officer, Jeff Silver, and a Vietnam Veteran.

The first rally took place at Newtown, Connecticut's Reed Intermediate School where there were several speakers including Monte Frank, First Selectman of Newtown, Pat Llordra, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy, Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, Congressman Jim Himes, and Lynn and Chris McDonnell, parents of Grace McDonnell, one of the student victims on 12/14. Chris McDonnell one of the Team 26 riders to D.C. said, "I ride for a child whose life was so full of promise and endless possibilities, I ride for Grace." Congregation Adath Isreal Rabbi Shaul Praver also spoke during the event, and Newtown Congregational Church Reverend Matt Crebbin led the gathered crowd in a prayer before the cyclists began their journey.

The second rally this day took place in Ridgefield, Connecticut at the Veterans Park Elementary School, hosted by Representative Himes and First Selectman Rudy Marconi. The rally also featured remarks by Connecticut State Representative John Frey and Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton. Rep Himes and Bethel First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker rode with Team 26 from Newtown to Ridgefield.

Rider #1. Monte Frank, Sandy Hook, Connecticut
Rider #2: Bill Muzzio, Sandy Hook, Connecticut.
Rider #3. Chris Peck, Newtown, Connecticut
Rider #4. John Funk, South Kent, Connecticut
Rider #5. Stephen Badger, Roxbury, Connecticut
Rider #6. Andrea Myers, Danbury, Connecticut
Rider #7. Mike Andrews, Danbury, Connecticut
Rider #8. Tom Officer, Litchfield, Connecticut
Rider #9. Jeremy Brazeal, Manchester, Connecticut
Rider #10. Officer Jeff Silver, Newtown, Connecticut
Rider #11: Matt Baldwin, Redding, Connecticut
Rider #12: Jonathan Lowenstein, North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Rider #13: Lieutenant Gary Lyke, Brookfield, Connecticut
Rider #14: Michael Magur, Newburgh, New York
Rider #15: Andy Officer, Goshen, Connecticut
Rider #16: Fred Thomas, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Rider #17: Carl Reglar, Mt. Vernon, New York
Rider #18: Wayne Prescott, Litchfield, Connecticut
Rider #19: Kevin Fitzmaurice, Middlebury, Connecticut
Rider #20: Megan Cea, West Harrison, New York
Rider #21: Brian Suto, Oxford, Connecticut
Rider #22: Matt Emeott, Woodbury, Connecticut
Rider #23: John Ford, West Harrison, New York
Rider #24: Aidan Charles, Middletown, Connecticut
Rider #25: Heather Peck, Newtown, Connecticut
Honorary Team Rider #26: Chris McDonnell, Sandy Hook, Connecticut

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