US – 2016 Tour De Cure in San Antonio

Did you know that 29.1 million people in the USA have diabetes and someone else is diagnosed every 19 seconds? This disease costs the United States about $245 billion a year.

Overlooking The Event Grounds.

Therefore, on Saturday, May 14th, 2016 RRT were very glad to join with the American Diabetes Association for the Tour de Cure Event in San Antonio.  The Tour de Cure is a series of fundraising cycling events held in 44 states across the country to raise funds to fight against diabetes.

Setting up tents at 4am

The day started early, at around 4AM, at the Texas A+M University.  When the participants arrived at the venue, they were offered a nutritious breakfast to prepare them for the ride ahead. Tour de Cure offered five different routes for the cyclists to choose from.  The longest and most challenging was 103 miles long and passed through the small towns of Pleasanton, Poteet and Elmendorf. There was also a 65 mile, 38 mile, 20 mile, and a miracle mile route to choose from.  A lot of riders rode with a team either a corporate, family or biking club team.  There was also Team Red or the Red Riders, these are the participants that have the disease.

Participants Lining Up For The Race. The Start Of The 65 And 103 Mile Rides. Off They Go!

At 7:15AM, after the national anthem was sung and the safety speech was given the 103 mile and 65 mile riders were ready to go, with the Red Riders leading the pack.  Next the 38 mile, 20 mile and miracle mile routes departed. Soon riders from the shorter routes started coming back in. Each rider was cheered across the finish line. The RRT volunteers had cold water bottles ready along with pickle pops; which are excellent for muscle cramps. Just after midday the first riders from the 103 mile route made their way across the finish line, what a ride! They averaged just over 20 miles per hour! By 4PM the last riders had made their way back in.

Helping Set Up The Food Tent.

The RRT Volunteers from San Antonio were glad to support this event by assisting with the setup, providing water bottles, pickle pops, helping with breakfast and lunch as well as with the cleanup at the end of the day.

Despite The Rain, RRT Volunteers Stayed To Congratulate Every Rider On Their Achievement!

RRT was happy to have the opportunity to work alongside such a great organization, and the volunteers look forward to working with the American Diabetes Association again at a future event.