Ben Gahr, left, and Aaron Pascazi talk with their cousin, cyclist Brian McCandless, about his upcoming bike ride from Pittsburgh to Tallahassee, Fla. to raise awareness and funds for the fight against cystic fibrosis. McCandless, who has cystic fibrosis, planned to start the 2,000-mile trip today at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh. Gahr and Pascazi will follow their cousin in a support van furnished by Brian's father's employer.

WEST SUNBURY — Brian McCandless was to leave Pittsburgh this morning with his sights set on Florida.

Unlike most people who take that route, however, his journey won't be for pleasure and it won't involve flying or driving. McCandless will ride his bicycle on the 2,000-mile trip to Tallahassee, Fla., raising awareness and funds for the fight against cystic fibrosis.

As a person with the disease, McCandless of West Sunbury wants to show others that he has no limitations. The Slippery Rock University sophomore and health and physical education major realized about a year ago as he met with a family at Children's Hospital that those newly-diagnosed with the disease need some guidance and inspiration.

"I feel really great, and another goal I have is to show exercise is definitely a good thing for this disease," he said.

With cystic fibrosis, people have trouble breathing but the exercise helps, according to McCandless.

"I never allow (the disease) to limit me in any aspect of my life," he added.

The disease affects the respiratory and digestive systems, rendering the body unable to break down certain organic compounds such as fats and mucous. The severity of the disease can vary and the average life expectancy for those with the disease is 34 years.

While McCandless recognizes some limitations with the disease, he hasn't let it slow him down, especially in the past year. He's been training by bicycling two to four hours per day, to get ready to bike about 100 miles daily, he said.

But this past week, with final examinations at SRU and other preparations, he's made an exception.

"I wanted to rest the week before so I wouldn't get run down," said McCandless.

He planned to leave early today from Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and expects the trip to take about 26 days. McCandless will celebrate his 20th birthday along the way.

Two cousins will follow him in a van which will be packed with gear and serve as a back-up place to sleep. Most of the trip will involve using campgrounds along the way, but the trio may spend some nights in hotels and churches that have offered space, McCandless said.

He will bike to Florida, but will ride in a vehicle back to Butler County.

He's already raised the funds he needed for his trip, about $8,000. Any additional money raised will be donated to research for his disease. Most of his equipment and other supplies have been donated.

The Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has endorsed the ride. Mary Pat Joseph, executive director of the chapter, called the event, "a highly remarkable cycle event to aid in the foundation's mission to ensure brighter futures for all individuals battling this disease."

To find out more about McCandless' travels, visit briansride.org for a daily update on his progress.