Tour de Cure Event Day – A Personal Story

On Sunday, March 30th, I had the incredible opportunity to pedal my way through the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure Florida in Lake Nona. Picture this: a gang of cyclists, all cladded in colorful jerseys, and a palpable buzz in the air that felt more like a rock concert than a cycling event! Surprisingly, the weather was on our side; while I had prepped for a torrential downpour, the skies decided to surprise us with a pleasant 74 degrees. I mean, Florida is usually synonymous with sweltering heat and humidity that makes you feel like you are pedaling through soup, but not this time! We were treated to an unbelievable 88% humidity at the start, which soon plummeted to a refreshing 66%, a miracle that had us all shouting “Hallelujah!” as we mounted our trusty two-wheelers.

As we lined up for the modified 33.5-mile route, the energy was electric and let us just say you could practically hear the gears grinding and the excitement bubbling over! Florida winds, usually a fierce adversary, were surprisingly on our side at a gentle 9 to 10 mph, minus the gusts, what sorcery was this? We kicked off the event in true TeamOne fashion, crossing the starting line like a well-oiled machine at exactly 9:26 am. With cheers echoing through Lake Nona, we pedaled as a professional unit, regaling each other with tales of our most ridiculous cycling escapades and trading laughs that felt more like a comedy show than a charity ride. Every crank of the pedals reminded us why we were there: a glorious blend of health, good company, and community spirit. Days like this, filled with laughter and camaraderie, are what we cyclist humans crave, and boy, did it make the ride special!

Our routine start is always a delightful affair, reminiscent of a cozy Sunday morning, at least, until the first two miles. It is that blissful sweet spot, where we’re cruising at a charming 8 to 11 mph, savoring the gentle breeze and marveling at the vibrant scenery. As we pedal along, the air buzzes with laughter and cheers, our collective banter turning what could be a daunting task into a gathering of merry cyclists. The moments spent at this pace seem to wrap us in a warm hug of camaraderie, fueling our anticipation for the ride that lies ahead. And just when we have gotten used to our leisurely pace, off we go to conquer the headwind, straining towards the first rest stop a whole 12 miles down the road. Talk about a sudden plot twist!

Of course, the reality of the headwind keeps us humble as we push through. It felt more like we were peddling against a wall than gliding along a picturesque landscape! By the time we reached that first rest stop, we were ready to dive into our ritual of hydration and stretching, not quite sure whether to praise the wind or curse its existence. Our 10-minute break was a nourishing pause, a moment to crack jokes about the absurdity of it all. “Next year,” I joked, “I’m going to hire a personal wind shielder!” Who knew cycling could feel like a boxing match with Mother Nature herself?

With a newfound determination, we saddled up again, and let me tell you, reaching the 22-mile mark was like hitting the sweet spot of a roller coaster, adrenaline rush and all! Our pace picked up steadily, buoyed by the realization that this year’s ride felt oddly like a stroll in the park, except for the gusty reminders that the wind had other plans. Comparisons with last year ensued, as we finally joked about the added weight of our collective determination making us heavier than last year’s model, “This bike just feels heavier, right? It must be that stubborn headwind!”

As we crossed the finish line, there it was, the heartwarming sight of our team, roaring with cheers and high-fives, their encouragement echoing laughter through the air. We may have been the last ones from our group to roll in, but the endless support reminded us that it is not just about timing; it is the journey and the friendships that matter. As we caught our breath and shared tales of the day, I could not help but think, headwinds and all, there’s truly no better group to pedal through life with!

Thank you to all the friends who donated and supported my journey. In the 19 years of participating in the Tour de Cure, I reached $2,272 in donations which is my 3rd highest personal best. This was all possible thanks to all of you! I believe that “A person’s true wealth, is measured by the good they do in this world!” … for this, you should feel wealthy and very good about yourself!

View the team’s story page for more info: http://teamonecycle.com/2025/03/lake-nona-fl-ada-tour-de-cure-19/

Event Day Statistics

This is the course charted for the 33.5-mile route.