Team Carfax Joins Bike to the Beach DC Participants on Century Ride for Autism Research

Riders and Volunteers Descend on D.C. to Raise Awareness of Disorder Affecting 1 in 59 Children

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Jul 31, 2018, 14:20 ET

CENTREVILLE, Va., July 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,000 people, including 92 Carfax employees and family members from around the country, are banding together to raise $425,000 for autism research in the 2018 Bike to the Beach DC. On Friday, August 3, bicycle riders and volunteers from DC-area businesses, members of Congress, charitable organizations and more will come together to raise awareness of the disorder. The 106-mile ride from Washington, D.C. to Dewey Beach, Del. is an annual event held in association with Autism Speaks.

The Barish family (from left: Robert, Ben (13), Evan (16), and Jo Ellen (not pictured)), are driving down from Erie, Pa. to Washington D.C. to participate together in this year’s Bike to the Beach DC. Robert, a Carfax employee and four-time B2B DC rider, rides in support of his 12 year-old niece, who is autistic.

For the seventh straight year, Carfax is supporting Bike to the Beach DC. The Northern Virginia-based company has raised a total of more than $170,000 toward the cause, its largest charitable event of the year. Carfax has a goal of raising $60,000 for this year's ride.

"Millions of families nationwide, including my own and those of other Carfax employees and our customers, deal with the effects of autism every day," said Robert Barish, dealer client manager at Carfax and four-time Bike to the Beach participant. "Our 12 year-old niece is autistic. My wife and sons are traveling from Erie, Pennsylvania with me to be part of this year's ride because it's personal for us. Bike to the Beach is the perfect blend of a great cause and my own personal interests that we all can be involved in now. I love the ride and am thrilled that they are joining the incredible volunteer supporters. We're so proud of all the riders and equally admire those volunteers who commit their time and energy supporting this event so we can help improve the lives of those impacted by autism."

Autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the U.S. today. Estimates are that 1 in 59 children in the U.S. are affected by autism, including 1 in 37 boys. The disorder costs a family an average of $60,000 a year.

"The ongoing support of companies like Carfax means so much to our community of riders, volunteers, and families impacted by autism," said Robby Walsh, executive director of Bike to the Beach. "We appreciate the involvement of Team Carfax and are grateful for their efforts to help us raise funds to further research and grow awareness of autism. Over the years this group has biked, collectively, thousands of miles for the cause and we cannot wait to welcome them back for another year."

LOCATION: WASHINGTON, DC
WHEN: Friday, August 3, 2018; Ride begins at 5:00 AM EDT
WHERE: Gonzaga College High School, 19 "Eye" St NW
WHO: Over 1,000 participants raising money and awareness for autism research

About Bike to the Beach
Bike to the Beach is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The only national biking event for autism, we are a community of people who combine biking, purpose, and fun to inspire individuals to overcome obstacles through personal challenge and to inspire the larger community to raise funds and awareness for autism, the most prevalent developmental disability in the world.

About Carfax
Carfax, a unit of IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO), helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, own and sell used cars with innovative solutions powered by Carfax vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, Carfax provides exclusive services like Carfax Used Car Listings, myCarfax, Carfax History-Based Value and the flagship Carfax® Vehicle History Report™ to consumers and the automotive industry. Carfax owns the world's largest vehicle history database and is a nationally recognized top workplace by The Washington Post and Glassdoor.com. Shop, Buy, Own, Sell – Show me the Carfax™. Based in London, IHS Markit is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions.

SOURCE Carfax