Cyclists ride for a cure Saturday
Published 9:40 pm Wednesday, April 27, 2016
This year’s Tour de Cure finishers will feel like they won the Tour de France — and they’ll have the photo to prove it.
Those who finish Saturday’s cycling fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association will return to the finish line to find a podium with flowers where they can pose with their finisher’s medal.
Saturday’s fundraiser, to be held on country roads all around Suffolk, is the 25th anniversary for Tour de Cure and the 22nd in Hampton Roads.
“We are looking forward to hosting the riders and working with our volunteers,” said Amie Holman, associate director of the American Diabetes Association. “We’ve got a great group of people coming out to support the ride and help us in this fight against diabetes.”
Holman thanked the many volunteers and sponsors who will be supporting the event. Walgreens will sponsor the photo area, while Bon Secours and the Western Tidewater Medical Reserve Corps will provide health and medical support. Hands On Massage and the Old Dominion University physical therapy department will provide massages. Subway and other food vendors will be on hand. Barton Ford will also participate.
“You go out and ride for a great cause, with well supported rest stops, and when you come back you will have the massage, food trucks or Subway,” Holman said. “We couldn’t do this event without them. It has so many facets, so many components.”
Holman urged drivers to look out for cyclists on the road.
“Be patient with us on the roads,” she said. “We hope that they will accommodate and respectfully share the road, meaning our riders as well as them.”
Holman also thanked support from Suffolk.
“The city of Suffolk as a whole has been very good to us, and we really appreciate how supportive they’ve been of the event,” Holman said. “We can’t stress how much we appreciate it.”
The Tour de Cure includes route options of 10, 25, 65 or 100 miles.
There is a $30 registration fee and a $200 fundraising minimum. The fundraising goal is $450,000; so far about $279,000 has been raised.
Visit www.diabetes.org/hamptonroadsvatour for more information about the fundraiser.