On April 29, 2017, I participated in my second Tour De Cure in as many months. What a great day it was to ride in San Diego. The course I chose for the San Diego Tour de Cure (TdC) was the metric half century (31 miles).
It was more challenging than what I was used to in Orlando. It was out and back, with a 6-degree grade to climb more than halfway into the ride. There was a bit more of a challenge that day, though. It was a hot day, over 80 degrees, which does not happen too often in late April. I rode the course on my trusty mountain bike, which made the uphill a little easier. We started at 10:30 am, with the largest fundraising teams starting first, with some great intro music selected by each team. Songs like “Welcome to the Jungle” and “We Are the Champions” graced us at the start.
We proceeded to leave the Fairgrounds by climbing a ramp that took us to the street, and proceeded to ride along 101. Then we ended up inland, where the thought about riding out and back is that the course is the opposite when you come back. In other words, if you are going uphill on the course, when you turn around, you will go downhill on the way back to the start line. There was a good balance of uphill and downhill segments on the ride, but the one that was most noteworthy was a steep downhill that was only a couple miles before the turnaround. I knew that coming back, going up the same hill was going to be the biggest challenge. As I struggled getting back to the top, a 71-year old Red Rider caught up to me, and inspired me to keep going just by the fact that he was climbing too.
I finally finished in just below three hours, by no means my fastest, but it was still a fun ride and great to be out there with everyone. It was a fantastic feeling to get back to the Fairgrounds and finish like a thoroughbred next to where the horses finish every season at the track. The celebration at the end was great as well, with tasty Mexican food and music to celebrate our accomplishments. I was most inspired not just by the Red Riders, but also the rest of Team One whom I rode with in Orlando just the month before.
Stats for the day
This is a record on my 31-mile course.
More important, your contributions help the many with diabetes. You know it’s one thing for diseases to affect older people who have learned to cope with adversity but a disease that affects youngsters is especially cruel. Just the name “juvenile diabetes” is a reason why we have to push for a cure. In addition, for your help, all I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you!
Next year, I may try riding the metric century course. Hopefully, you will still lend your support. I will ride on behalf of those who can’t and in memory of many.
Again thanks for your support. Regards,
Ron
TeamOne
