With their 400 mile route displayed on a huge banner, a Ben's Bell dangling from the podium, spiritual blessings, encouragement from political leaders, nonprofit founders, a 12/14 victim's parent and the staff of Sandy Hook Elementary School, Team 26 departed for its third ride to Washington, DC Saturday morning, March 28.

Amid swirling snow and decidedly un-springlike cold, approximately 150 residents and supporters gathered for a brief ceremony on the steps of Edmond Town Hall to bid farewell and Godspeed to the 26 cyclists and support staff accompanying them on their four-day trek.

Dubbed Team 26 to represent those killed at the local school on 12/14, ride founder and Sandy Hook resident Monte Frank is joined on the ride by fellow Newtowner Bill Muzzio. According to sandyhookrideonwashington.com, the team continues to support:

*Requiring all gun buyers pass criminal background checks;

*A ban of military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines;

*Making gun trafficking a federal crime, including real penalties for “straw buyers”; and

*Strengthening gun ownership restrictions for people with severe mental illness.

Newtown riders will be joined this year by Stephen Badger, Matthew Emeott, Jeremy Brazeal, Eli Brazeal, Wayne Prescott, Jason Clark, Mike Andrews, Carl Reglar, Herb Jiménez, Megan Cea, John Ford, Katrina Niez, Omar Samaha, Tommy Fadoul, Armand Daccache, Dr Bill Begg, Dave Hoyle, Derek Cote, Sean Cavanaugh, Jordan Lynn, Greg Meghani, Peter Olson, Drew Cunningham, Andrea Myers, Nick Sabatelli, Mike Conlan, John Tomlinson, Dwayne Nosworthy, and film maker Sue Roman.

Monsignor Robert Weiss of St. Rose of Lima Parish opened the ceremony reminding those gathered that every hour of every day of every year, someone is a victim of gun violence.

Gesturing to the green-suited riders to his right and left, Msgr Weiss said, "May our 26 Newtown angels be a constant inspiration to them. May every push of their pedal be a push of remembrance for all who have died at the hands of gun violence, regardless of age, race, faith or circumstances."

First Selectman Pat Llodra said she wished 12/14 never occurred and that those gathering Saturday never had cause to meet there.

"We are joined in the common hope for a better, safer, kinder world - a world where violence is less common," Mrs Llodra said. "We can change the world, and today our clarion call for change is being carried forward by our bike messengers."

Mr Frank approached the microphone looking up at the thickening snow, paraphrasing the familiar credo, "Neither snow, nor rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

He read a brief greeting from Senator Chris Murphy, who noted that the riders were inspiring Americans as they ride from town to town, and city to city.

"As we cross every bridge, we are strengthening the bond between all these communities," Mr Frank said. "Together we ride to raise awareness of the gun violence epidemic that plagues all our communities."

Dr. Jeremy Richman, father of 12/14 victim Avielle Richman, briefly talked about how he, his wife, Jennifer Hensel, and their scientist colleagues are working to identify through brain study, potential causes for violent acts.

"We just don't know enough about it. Brian science is the least explored of all sciences and we want to change that," Dr. Richman said. "We have a slogan at the Avielle foundation, 'You can imagine...'. You can imagine what we went through losing our children, as horrible as that is. We need you to imagine it, and clearly you do showing up in weather like this."

Senator Richard Blumenthal and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, who rushed to Sandy Hook on 12/14, both attended the Team 26 sendoff. Senator Blumenthal said America has continued to watch Newtown since that fateful day.

"And we all have been inspired by this community," he said. "You keep moving forward, on bicycle or on foot, making sure America remembers that we have a cause we cannot abandon - to make America safer and better than it is now. To stop gun violence in this nation."

Rep. Esty described Team 26 as "an American cause."

"By riding together they unite us...to stop the scourge of gun violence in this country," she said. "We're doing the right thing, calling on the U.S. Congress to act and calling on the nation to act. It is right to pass common sense reforms."

Sandy Hook Elementary staffer and Newtown Legislative Council Chair Mary Ann Jacob talked about how a number of educators and school staff formed a group called SHS Educators for Gun Sense.

"Going back to work every day was the best way we knew to honor the lives lost and help the children who survived," Ms Jacob said. "But after 18 months we could no longer stay on the sidelines while shooting after shooting occurred and our country turned its back on gun violence."

Local Ben's Bells founder Bethe Krueger was on hand sending each Team 26 rider on their journey with one of the ceramic reminders of kindness to distribute as they rolled toward Washington.

"Each represents the connectedness that we share as part of a greater community," she said. "The 26 bells are symbols of the kindness and strong spirit of Newtown and Sandy Hook. We hope the bells will bring hope to the people who find them, and joy to the bike messengers of Team 26 who will hang them."

The ceremony closed with Pastor Kathleen Adam Shepherd from Trinty Episcopal Church, who asked everyone to pray for the snow to dissipate and for all the roads in front to Team 26 to be dry and safe.

"Ride on Team 26. May the wind be at your back, strength and purpose in your legs and comfort in your seat, knowing you ride for us and all, and especially for our children."

As the riders took to the street, their first stop was just a few blocks away at Fairfield Hills, where they were invited to lead the third annual Sandy Hook 5k, which was about to commence.

On March 31, the Newtown riders' journey will end on the steps of the US Capitol, where Team 26 will be welcomed by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, a celebrated civil rights leader from Washington, D.C.

Learn more, and keep tabs on Team 26 as they prepare and complete their third ride to Washington at the group’s Sandy Hook Ride on Washington Facebook page.

View a video of the Team 26 departure by Sue Roman here.