Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

The second annual Southern Colorado Tour de Cure will return to Woodland Park on June 16, 2012, for the American Diabetes Association’s signature fundraising cycling event.

The Southern Colorado Tour de Cure made its debut last May with 240 registered riders who helped raise over $100,000 ... the most successful inaugural Tour de Cure event in the country last year. There are more than 80 Tour events in 43 states with more than 40,000 cyclists. In Colorado, 316,000 people have diabetes and 900,000 more have prediabetes.

Photo gallery from this year's ride!

“We are looking to grow our numbers in terms of riders, teams and corporate sponsors in 2012,” said Kelly Jackson, Tour Director for the American Diabetes Association. “In 2011, we drew riders from all over Southern Colorado. We are looking forward to putting on another fun, safe day of riding.”

All proceeds will be used to support programs for kids in Southern Colorado as well as awareness, advocacy and education. The ADA hopes to raise $135,000 this year.

Cyclists will have the choice of four routes that begin in Woodland Park and include beautiful views of the South Platte River and the north side of Pikes Peak:

•    A casual family ride of 14 miles

•    A 50-mile out-and-back to Deckers

•    A challenging 86-mile ride with 6,100 feet of climbing

•    A special Mountain Bike Trail Route

Riders and teams can sign up online

“People living with diabetes need to watch their diet and increase their physical fitness to battle the disease,” said Charlie Snyder, the organizing committee chair. “The Tour de Cure provides a perfect opportunity for diabetics to get physically fit by training for the Tour de Cure. And then they lead the way on the day of the event wearing their Red Rider jerseys.”

The Red Rider program started in Colorado six years ago, is now a staple for all Tour de Cure events nationally. Red Riders are given special treatment and recognition at the Tour de Cure events. “They are a constant reminder of why we ride,” said Jackson.

Avid cyclists, children and riders of all ages and ability levels participate in the Tour de Cure, which features complete medical and mechanical support throughout all courses. Riders, family and friends will be guests at a post-ride party with food, drinks, music, free massages, and a Health and Wellness Village.

MORE INFORMATION

In April 2010, Bicycling Magazine rated Colorado Springs as the 18th Friendliest Bike City in America, based on number of bikes lanes and routes, bike racks, city projects completed and planned and number of bike commuters, clubs, events and bike shops.

On Sept. 19, 2010, the Pikes Peak Quality of Life Indicators report was released. Led by Leadership Pikes Peak, Pikes Peak Library District and Pikes Peak United Way, the 124-page report concluded:

•    “Our people are healthy; our rate of cardiovascular disease is approximately 25 percent of the rate for the U.S. as a whole. But the incidence of diabetes has jumped 40 percent in one year.”

On Oct. 22, 2010, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a report that projects that one in three American adults will have diabetes by the year 2050, if current trends continue.  

•    "These are alarming numbers that show how critical it is to change the course of type 2 diabetes," said Ann Albright, PhD, RD, director of CDC's Division of Diabetes Translation. "Successful programs to improve lifestyle choices on healthy eating and physical activity must be made more widely available, because the stakes are too high and the personal toll too devastating to fail."

The American Diabetes Association leads the fight to change the future of diabetes:

•    Offering free resources in English and Spanish at diabetes.org 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383)

•    Publishing the most reliable source of diabetes info through books, journals, magazines, and videos

•    Funding over $42 million in research for a cure each year through the ADA Research Foundation

•    Providing community-based programs that address the disproportionately high incidence of diabetes among African Americans, Native Americans and Hispanics/Latinos

•    Offering programs and networking opportunities for children with diabetes and their families such as ADA Diabetes Camp and PlanetD – an online community where youth explore, discover, and connect with other youth who have diabetes

•    Fighting to end discrimination against people with diabetes and advocating for increased federal funding for diabetes research