Don Weber of Reston, Virginia, just finished an epic 1000-mile bicycle ride to bring light to families living in darkness halfway across the world.
Don joined five other riders to cycle all the way from Illinois to Virginia for the charity Watts of Love. The group battled flat tires, broken gear trucks, and sore legs — climbing over 10,000 feet in elevation and riding up to 142 miles in a single day.
Their 14-day trek raised over $38,000 to buy solar lights for poor families in Malawi, saving them money on dangerous fuel and giving kids light to read at night.
Don, who lived abroad for years, said the mission touched him by supporting some of the world’s poorest countries. “If you can bring light into places where there’s no electricity, then what that means is there’s a way,” he said. “Families can elevate themselves to the next level.”
While Don is happy to be done with this trip, he’s already looking ahead. In 2027, the group wants to ride through Michigan — and mix in the scenery of Lake Michigan as they pedal and raise more money for charity.