Washington RRT Helps at May 13, ADA Nova Tour De Cure in Virginia

On Saturday May 13, 2017, members of the RRT Washington D.C. team arrived at 8:30 a.m. to help the American Diabetes Association with the NOVA Tour de Cure race. This event was a bike race that offered routes of many levels starting at 4 miles up to 106 miles distance that began and ended at the Reston Town Center in Virginia.  The routes took bikers through beautiful trails, past farms and valleys of Virginia’s historical horse country.  This race is held to raise funds for the American Diabetic Association. The Mission of the ADA is “To prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.”  The goal of $400,000 has been set.

The day started off rainy as RRT members helped set up rest stations by setting up tents and tables where they served water, Gatorade, granola bars and energy gel to the riders.  The riders received encouragement by the volunteers as they arrived at the stations.

The RRT hosted a rest stop at mile 50, where the volunteers served snacks such as fruit, energy bars, and protein blocks and were kept busy filling water bottles and assisting in several minor bike repairs. There were riders of many ages, the youngest was a female 14-year-old who was a diabetic herself, and the eldest being a 74-year-old man who was thoroughly enjoying himself!

Diabetics often do not live a quality life and suffer with multiple health complications.   It was a great day that raised just over $230,000 to support the ongoing research and needed assistance for those living with Diabetes.  Many thanks to the participants who braved the early rain, and made this challenging bike race a success for the American Diabetes Association!