Two Waco firefighters, who are also brothers, are finishing up last minute preparations for a bike ride to New York City.
Justin and Jered Wise will be leaving Wednesday morning around 8 a.m. from Waco to begin a more than 2,000 mile journey on their bicycles to New York City.
"I'm really looking forward to it," Jered Wise said.
The brothers are raising money for the Waco Fire Department Honor Guard Pipes and Drums Movember fund. The fund is used to help firefighters and their families in a time of need.
"One of the guys, his daughter fell ill and it was nice as an organization to say we're looking out for you," Jered said.
Jered approached his brother Justin about going on the trip a few months ago because both of them like biking.
"[Justin] absolutely denied that he wanted to go. He said, "you're crazy,"" Jered said. "Kind of sounded like the other guys [at the fire station] and said I don't want any part of that."
After some convincing, Justin changed his mind and decided to join his brother.
"When he really started getting serious about doing it, it was like okay yeah I'll go with you," Justin said. "Can't really let your little brother show you up."
The brothers will ride about 100 miles a day in total.
"We're going to split it up. We each have about 50 miles a day [to ride], which still takes about 4 hours each. So you're looking at 8 hours of moving time between the both of us," Jered said.
Their father is joining them on the trip, driving a chase car. While one of them is riding, the other will ride in the chase car with their father. Other family members will join them in New York after they arrive.
Half of the funds raised will go towards the Movember fund and the other half will go towards a New York Fire Department organization that benefits orphans and widows of children in the city.
"It's been 16 years since September 11th. And you know the men and women that died, they had families," Jered said. "The biggest thing is to say you're not forgotten. We realize that these wounds take a long time to heal so you know as the brotherhood of firefighters we want them to know that the rest of the country is still with them."
The brothers are hoping to make it to New York City by April 30th.
To follow their journey, click here.
If you would like to donate to their trip, click here.
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