Tri-State cyclists are pumping up their tires, hitting up sponsors and getting ready for the 25th annual Tour de Cure to raise money for diabetes programs. The ride, set for July 17, features several different routes of differing lengths for this year, but the point of the event remains the same, said Jamie Jog, the ride’s organizer.
“You have really serious cyclists who come all decked out in their gear, but we have people who show up in their old tennis shoes and cut-offs, too. Everyone is there to just enjoy the ride and do some good in the fight against diabetes,” she said. “It’s something for families with kids, amateurs, the pros. Everyone.”
This year, the ride starts and finishes at Riverside Park in Milford with five routes to choose from. Routes along the Little Miami River on the Little Miami Bike Trail are either eight or 25 miles long, and provide an off-road option. There is also a 25-mile casual ride, a 50-mile intermediate ride and an advanced route that offers a 100-mile challenge for more experienced cyclists. All routes have rest stops and safety features like patrolling support vehicles and police escorts. The ride ends with a post-event party at Riverside Park with food and live music. There’s also plenty of swag for various fundraising levels.
Riders participate in teams, with a minimum of five members, ranging from private groups to corporate teams. No one’s left out, though: Individuals wanting to ride can join Team Red, a large group for such riders. There is a $15 registration fee and a $200 minimum fundraising goal for each team.
Already, Jog said, 80 teams have signed up for the 2016 ride, which the Diabetes Association expects to be their biggest year to date. Though the ride is still months away, the teams have already pledged more than $33,000 toward the local ADA’s $250,000 goal.
Last year, 237 riders raised $150,000 with the local Tour de Cure. Nationally, the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure has raised more than $250 million for diabetes research, support and awareness programs since the event started.
Aside from being a fundraiser, the Tour de Cure is a celebration of people who live with diabetes every day.
“When it started, it started as a way to help people be more active and to get them healthy and fight diabetes that way,” Jog said. Over the years, the event raised money but never lost sight of its healthy foundations.
“We have our Red Riders. People who actually have diabetes who come out and ride, they’re our celebrities,” Jog added. “We give them red jerseys and really celebrate them. About 15 percent of our participants are Red Riders “” people who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. And every year, they’re there with us.”
To learn more about the Tour de Cure, to offer yourself as a volunteer for the event or to make a donation, click here or call Jog at (513) 759-9330, ext. 6661.
