Three longtime friends and cycling enthusiasts, Doug Wayne, Steve Leibovic, and Steve Hurd, are setting out on the adventure of a lifetime: a cross-country bike ride to raise funds for Sportable, Central Virginia’s premier adaptive sports club.

Dubbed Doug & Steves’ Southern Tier Ride to Benefit Sportable, the journey begins on March 12, 2025, in San Diego, Calif., and will continue until the end of April. Starting with a ceremonial dip of their back wheels in the Pacific, the trio will cycle across the southern United States to the Atlantic.

This ride represents the ultimate endurance challenge for Doug Wayne, a former OrthoVirginia physician and current affiliate professor in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Having spent 40 years helping people recover from injuries and illnesses, Wayne is deeply committed to the power of sports as a tool for rehabilitation—a mission that aligns perfectly with Sportable’s mission.

“This ride is about more than just a personal challenge,” Wayne said. “After decades in rehabilitation medicine and as a volunteer with Sportable’s archery and cycling programs, I’ve seen firsthand how sports can transform lives. Sportable is making a real difference, and we want to support their mission in a big way.”

The trio has a long history of cycling together. Wayne and Leibovic, a retired hand surgeon and current Virginia Commonwealth University professor, first embarked on a long-distance ride for their 60th birthdays, cycling 1,100 miles from Richmond, Va., to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. They have also completed the 1,000-mile ride from Portland, Maine. Now, for their milestone 70th and Hurd’s 66th birthdays, the three are ready for their most ambitious ride yet, tackling the Southern Tier Bicycle Route—a 2,940- mile journey from San Diego, Calif., to St. Augustine, Fla.—known for its diverse terrain and challenging conditions.

The team has set a fundraising goal of $10,000 in support of Sportable’s mission to make sports accessible and transformative for individuals with physical disabilities. Throughout the ride, Doug will be sharing updates, photos, and reflections from the road on his blog, cgoab.com/Orcadoug.

Sportable is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments to experience the life-changing power of sports. Through a variety of adaptive sports programs—including wheelchair basketball, adaptive cycling, tennis, kayaking, and more—Sportable provides athletes of all ages with access to equipment, expert coaching, and a supportive community.

By breaking down barriers to participation, Sportable fosters confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging for adaptive athletes in Central Virginia and beyond. Every dollar raised through this fundraiser will directly support programs that give athletes the chance to thrive on and off the field.

Learn more about Sportable and our mission at www.sportable.org.