Preparing to pedal in fight to end diabetes
SMITHFIELD, Va. (WAVY) — This weekend, hundreds of riders are gearing up for Tour de Cure. It’s a ride to help raise money in the fight to end diabetes.
Set-up is already underway at Windsor Castle Park in Smithfield and people are coming from all over to take part in the event.
George Desser and his wife traveled all the way from West End, North Carolina for this weekend’s Tour de Cure event in Smithfield. Both his parents and his grandmother had type two diabetes, and he said he was diagnosed with it about 20 years ago.
“I consider the fact that this keeps me young,” Desser said. “I am 72-years-old, so I’ve definitely outlived my parents by quite a bit.”
Desser has participated in multiple Tour de Cures in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and North Carolina. But this is his first time riding in Virginia, and he’s riding the 63 mile route.
Desser is one of the 400 riders gearing up for the event Saturday at Windsor Castle Park.
They have routes for all riders, whether you are new to riding or an experienced cyclist. There’s a 10 mile, a 30 mile, a 63 mile route and a 100 mile route.
“They are going to be out on the beautiful, quiet countryside of Smithfield, Surry, Isle of Wight and heading on back, and they’ll be a party at the end for us to all celebrate together,” said Mid-Atlantic American Diabetes Association Director of Development Amie Holman.
About $400,000 has already been raised to help fund research for the American Diabetes Association. Holman said this event really helps to drive their mission forward.
“So when we’re putting money to research, when we’re putting our advocacy team at work to help with anybody who’s been discriminated because of their diabetes, or we’re trying to support that insulin cap across every state that we can,” Holman said, “this is where it matters.”
So whether you’re on a bike, or a trike, like Desser, you can help pedal for a cure.
“I look at it this way, we all started riding on three wheels, and I think it’s not a bad idea to finish on three wheels,” Desser said.
If you’re out driving this weekend, be aware that riders will be out on the roads as they pedal for a cure.
And if you aren’t a cyclist, the group is still looking for volunteers for Saturday’s ride.
“We need over 300 volunteers for the event every year, and certainly we welcome more because the more the merrier with this event,” Holman said. “It’s certainly a lot of fun, and the energy that our volunteers bring is invaluable, so if they’re interested in coming out and helping, just come on up to our volunteer tent.”
Online registration is closed already, but if you’d like to ride, you can still sign up on the day of the event.
If you can’t make it, but you’d still like to donate, click here.
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