CENTREVILLE, Va. -

More than 1,000 people will convene in Washington D.C. on Friday for a 106-mile charity bicycle ride with the hopes of bringing in over $400,000 for autism research as part of the annual Bike to the Beach DC fundraiser Carfax is supporting for the seventh year in a row.

This year, Carfax has set a goal of raising of $60,000 as a participant in the national biking charity event for autism held in association with Autism Speaks, the company announced Tuesday.

On Friday, Carfax employees and family members will join bicycle riders and volunteers from Washington, D.C.-area businesses, Congress and charitable organizations for a bike ride from Gonzaga College High School to the town of Dewey Beach, Del.

“Millions of families nationwide, including my own and those of other Carfax employees and our customers, deal with the effects of autism every day,” Carfax dealer client manager and four-time Bike to the Beach DC rider Robert Barish said in a news release. “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,” Barish said.

According to Carfax, Bike to the Beach DC is the company’s largest charitable event of the year, and it has raised a total of more than $170,000 since it began participating in the national biking event for autism seven years ago.

 “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.”