Support the Ride,
Support
the Cause:
An event for the whole family
by JENNIFER HOUCHINS
Whether you are an avid cyclist, know a cyclist or
would like to be a cyclist, you do not want to miss
the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) 2008
Tour de Cure.
Sure, it is a fun and exciting cycling event that
benefits the mission of the ADA, but it’s one fundraising
event that will leave you remembering why
you love to cycle, and why it is so important to raise
money for diabetes. From the variety of routes to
the fun Saturday Night Celebration, the Tour de
Cure is sure to leave you marking your calendar for
the ride next year.
A minimal registration fee of $20 will get you on
your way to raising money for the ADA. You then must
raise a minimum of $150 to ride in the Tour. You can
register at the event, for $25—but you are encouraged
to sign up early to allow plenty of time for training
and fund raising. The ADA makes it easy and fun
to collect donations through the Tour de Cure Web
site, www.diabetes.org/tour, which allows you to customize
your own Web page, send e-mails, thank you
notes, register teammates and set goals.
As a rider, you can choose to participate on day
one, day two or any combination to design the
ride/route that fits your level of experience. All registered
riders will begin at Pearson (formerly known
as Harcourt Assessment — 19500 Bulverde Road in
San Antonio). Registration and breakfast will begin
at 6:30 a.m. Day One offers a variety of route
options, with the 50- and 80-mile options finishing at
the Blanco Hall Dorm at Texas State University, San
Marcos (701 Moore St., San Marcos). Longer routes
will travel through the beautiful and scenic back
roads of Selma, Schertz, Marion, McQueeney and
New Braunfels. Day Two will begin at 7:30 a.m., leaving
the dorms and finishing at Akins High School
(10701 South 1st Street in Austin). Day Two routes
include 25-, 58- and 80-mile options.
Riders who chose the 14-mile route on Day One will
enjoy the Family Fun Ride! This year the Family Fun
Ride includes two rest stops, a wonderful brunch (provided
by Pearson and ARAMARK) and festivities at the
Finish Line. New this year is our children’s Bike Rodeo!
For a $5 donation to the ADA, elementary kids can
come out to learn bicycle safety and win prizes.
Sponsored by Tejeda Middle School PAL’s, Riders in
the Family Fun Ride can still participate in the celebration
at San Marcos.
Along the route are well-stocked rest areas, to
refresh and hydrate all the riders. This year riders will
enjoy a variety of themed rest areas sure to make this
the most memorable experience the Tour de Cure
Riders have ever had. The 2008 Rest Stop Sponsors
include the Army, Health Dialog, Xerox, San Antonio
Wheelmen, KCI, Cool Cats Cycling Club, Run Gear Run
and Novo Nordisk. Riders will have the opportunity to
vote for their favorite rest stop. The winning rest stop
will receive an award at the end of the Family Fun ride
for the 14-mile loop and at the Saturday Night
Celebration for the
50- and 80-mile
routes.
Riders will also
enjoy safe and wellmonitored
routes,
including superior
SAG (Support and
Gear) vehicles, traffic
control teams and
excellent volunteer
support. Special
thanks to local bike shops: Bicycle Heaven, Bike City,
The Bike Platz, BikeWorld, Britton’s Bicycle Shop,
Charles A. James Bicycle Company, Joe’s Pro Bikes,
Planet Bike, Ride Away Bikes, and Performance
Bicycle, for providing on-site mechanical support.
The riders in the Tour will definitely be able to keep
up their strength, as the event committee has ensured
a variety of foods throughout the weekend. Breakfast
will be provided at the start line, where riders can also
enjoy some Starbucks coffee. Then as they finish their
ride in San Marcos, they will be treated to hamburgers
and hotdogs, all donated by Absolutely Everything
Catering and prepared by Gary Job Corps.
Once riders cross the finish line, there will be a variety
of amenities, including a San Marcos Information
Table and massage therapist along with rider goody
bags courtesy of Mustang Engineering. Amenities
don’t stop there. There will also be a free shuttle service
in San Marcos, from 12 to 3 p.m. Shuttles are available
for all riders and their family members. The route
includes the Square, tubing at the River, and the
Outlet Malls.
There will be plenty of food options for riders, volunteers
and guests at the Saturday Night Celebration!
Valero will prepare BBQ, including brisket and chicken
with all the trimmings. Fazoli’s will be on hand, providing
pasta and salad.
Riders will have the opportunity to rekindle their
college dorm experiences by staying at the Texas
State University dorm, Blanco Hall, for a minimal fee.
Riders will stay in air-conditioned dorm rooms on
comfortable beds with private bathrooms. ADA will
transport rider luggage, bedding and toiletries each
day from the start line to the finish line. Please
reserve your single- or double-occupancy dorm
room as soon as possible by contacting the ADA
office at (210) 829-1765.
As the riders wake up and prepare for their day
two, they will enjoy a great breakfast courtesy of
Mama Margies. Lunch will be held at the finish line in
Austin, and will feature fresh fruit from G&M Catering,
along with Spicy and Lo Mein Noodles options courtesy
of Mama Fu’s.
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