Bike ride for Cranberry Township’s Elouise begins
PITTSBURGH — On a crisp Wednesday morning, a 70-year-old man from Ontario, Canada, was geared up at Point State Park for what is set to be the longest bike ride of his life.
Warren Wiebe was joined by his family at the park as he took off for his planned 24-hour bike ride through the Great Allegheny Passage at 10 a.m. The expedition is another addition to Wiebe’s portfolio — he is no newbie to recreational sports.
The ride is also a fundraising opportunity for research and treatment of FOXG1 syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that Wiebe’s two-year-old granddaughter, Elouise DeLibero, has.
The neurodevelopmental condition manifests through many health problems, including delayed brain development, involuntary motion and seizures.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to FOXG1 Research Foundation.
“We're just so excited because we love [Elouise] so much,” said Beth DeLibero, Elouise’s grandmother.
Beth, who has 15 grandchildren, recalled how Elouise partakes in Christmas plays her grandchildren put together, moving around with her walker. “She’s part of our group,” Beth said.
Before taking off on his journey, Wiebe said he was feeling good about his training and preparation leading up to the ride.
“I feel like this is doable,” Wiebe said. While he has been switching back and forth between thinking the ride will be fairly easy or really difficult, he said he is confident that “it's going to be done.”
Wiebe, who spent the last two days resting and loading up on carbohydrates, said the hours building up to the ride involved calming himself down mentally and making certain that he was ready with the necessary equipment and nutrition.
Warren plans to bike slightly uphill away from the city for about 12 hours. He plans to turn around either at the eastern Continental Divide or sooner, and return to the city.
Elouise was among the crowd gathered to cheer on Wiebe, which also included her parents, Michael and Tegan DeLibero; her older sister, Mabel DeLibero; her younger brother, Boaz DeLibero; her uncle, Tyler Wiebe; and her grandmothers, Beth DeLibero and Sandy Wiebe.
Mabel, at the start of the ride, joined her grandfather for a small stretch to show support, and that’s not where the backing for Warren stops.
His wife, Sandy, and his son, Tyler, plan to accompany him on the road parallel to his route, Warren said. Sandy and Tyler also plan to take turns joining Warren on the bike at some stretches on the way.
“I'm going to go as far as I think I can go,” said Tyler, who started the ride on a bike along with Warren. “At night, I'll be in the vehicle, waiting for him at the next stop.”
Additionally, a park representative saw a post about the bike ride on Facebook, and reached out to offer any support.
“We had a lady who lives on the trail reach out and offer accommodation overnight for my support team,” said Warren. “It's been tremendous — a lot of support.”
More information about donating to the grassroots initiative can be found on FOXG1 Research Foundation’s website.
