Tour de Cure Raises Money To Stop Diabetes
DENVER (CBS4) - Colorado puts on one of the biggest Tour de Cure events in the country, and all the money raised goes to stop diabetes. Tour de Cure is a bike ride put on by the American Diabetes Association. The event features four different routes, a 25K family route, a 50k route, a 100k, and a 100-mile route for those serious riders who like a challenge.
"It's not a race, it's a ride. And we want to make sure that based upon whatever your age, whatever your physical abilities are on the bike, you can come and ride with us," said Suzanne Steven, one of the chairs of Tour de Cure.
Three of the routes are completely new this year because of the flooding last September. Riders will enjoy some beautiful scenery starting at the Boulder County Fair Grounds and going all the way to Fort Collins. After the ride, there's a big party to celebrate.
"When everybody's done riding, they have a full lunch that's available to them, to celebrate and come and enjoy completing whichever ride they chose to complete," Steven told CBS4.
The Tour is a major fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association, and the event in Colorado is one of the biggest in the nation. Organizers plan to host 2300 riders and collect more than a million dollars.
"The ADA here in Colorado keeps all of the funds in the Colorado market," Steven added.
The money raised at Tour de Cure funds:
-- 15 Colorado researchers working on diabetes research.
-- Por Tu Familia, an outreach program for Hispanic people with diabetes.
-- Family Link, which offers services to families dealing with diabetes.
-- EXPO, which is an information and resource exposition.
Among the thousands of participants, hundreds will be riding with diabetes. They're called Red Riders and they're identified by their special red jerseys.
"Whenever you pass a Red Rider, whether it's at tour or on the street…I'm doing training rides with my daughter and she's always wearing her Red Rider jersey, there are always people screaming 'Go Red Rider', " Steven explained.
The Colorado Tour de Cure is Saturday, August 16th. It kicks off at the Boulder County Fairgrounds starting at 6am. Rider's must raise at least $200 to participate.
LINK: Tour de Cure Colorado
--Written for CBSDenver.com by Special Projects Producer Libby Smith
