Tour de Cure to benefit the American Diabetes Association

Go Red Rider!  These are the words cheered by fellow riders, volunteers, and supporters as I ride in the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure.  This enthusiasm makes the one hundred mile ride an achievable goal for this type 1 diabetic.  The frequent rest stops catered with scrumptious food also assists the cyclists on their journey ranging from ten to one hundred miles.  I have participated in many of these rides in the past and all have been of the longer distance variety from sixty to one hundred miles.  The camaraderie among not only my buddies riding with me but also among other participants is a wonderful thing to experience.

However, I am most looking forward to sharing this experience with my two and a half year old daughter in the ten mile option offered at this years event held at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora on Sunday, June 14.  With the variety of distance options, the Tour de Cure is perfect for the avid cyclist looking to complete a century ride while also encouraging participation at the most introductory level, including the little ones.  This is truly a family event that can’t be missed!  The post ride celebration at the start/finish area is filled with entertainment and great food.  Needless to say, the beverages are also a big hit!  As someone with type 1 diabetes, a frequent participant, and a sponsor, I am grateful to everyone that makes this event a success.

Thank you,

Dr. Joshua Hedman, DPM
Fellow, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

About the Event

The American Diabetes Association is inviting riders of all levels to join the celebration and be part of the Stop Diabetes^® movement by taking part in the annual Tour de Cure^®, a cycling event happening on Sunday, June 14th at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora, IL to help raise funds to change the future of diabetes and help stop this devastating disease. Last year, locally, more than 1,200 riders raised over $725,000 to help stop diabetes.

Cyclists from around the region will gather at one of five routes to participate in the event.  They will join more than 65,000 other cyclists and volunteers from across the country.  Individuals and teams composed of co-workers, family and friends are taking the ride of their life by helping raise funds for the nearly 30 million Americans with diabetes.  Tour de Cure is designed for anyone for riders of all levels.  There are routes for the occasional cyclist to the experienced cyclists with trails from 10-mile family rides to 100-mile century rides. The route will feature rest stops with food to fuel the journey, volunteers to cheer riders on and Red Riders, cyclists who have diabetes, get VIP treatment.

 The Tour de Cure raises funds through registration fees and pledges collected by the cyclists. The registration fee is $25 and each rider is required to fundraise at least $200 to ride. To register, cyclists or volunteers can call the American Diabetes Association toll‑free at 1‑888-DIABETES or visit us at www.diabetes.org/tour.