The cyclists leaving Newtown, Conn. on Saturday morning. (Photo courtesy Richard Sewell)

A group of cyclists set out this morning on a 305-mile ride from the setting of one of 2012’s darkest moments to a place where they hope meaningful action can be taken. Twenty-six professional and amateur bikers left Newton, Conn. and are now pedaling their way to Washington, where they plan to call on Congress to enact comprehensive gun control legislation in response to last December’s horrific massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

The cyclists—one for each student and educator who was cut down in the carnage carried out by 20-year-old Adam Lanza—expect to arrive at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday afternoon. Among the participants are former mebers of the U.S. and Canadian national cycling teams, along with other seasoned racers. Three of cyclists are from Newtown itself, and two are parents of children who attended Sandy Hook.

The riders plan to ask Congress to pass a gun control bill that imposes background checks on all firearm purchases, strengthens restrictions on people with mental illness from obtaining guns, enhances penalties against gun trafficking, and bans assault weapons and high-capacity magazines such as those used by Lanza. The Senate Judiciary Committee this week passed a bill that would crack down on gun purchases made in proxy for people who are prohibitied from owning firearms.

But because Capitol Hill demonstrations are usually better with more than 26 people, the riders from Connecticut intend to pick up fellow two-wheeled gun control advocates when they make a pit stop Tuesday morning at Proteus Bicycles in College Park. The ride will then resume toward the Capitol.