New England Tour de Cure Blog

Are you ready to join other passionate cyclists and health enthusiasts in one of the best charity cycling events of the year? Gear up for Tour de Cure^®: New England, an American Diabetes Association^® event that not only celebrates the joy of cycling, but also raises awareness and funds for a noble cause—the fight to end diabetes.

Every year, thousands of cyclists across the nation saddle up for Tour de Cure. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a beginner, participating in this event promises an unforgettable experience filled with camaraderie, scenic routes, and a sense of accomplishment. Here’s your ultimate guide to what to expect on Tour de Cure: New England event day:

• A celebration of health and fitness: Tour de Cure is a celebration of health and fitness. Expect to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who share your passion for leading an active lifestyle. From avid cyclists to families and corporate teams, participants from all walks of life are united by the common goal of fighting diabetes.
• Choose your challenge: Whether you’re aiming for a leisurely ride or a demanding cycling challenge, Tour de Cure offers routes to suit every skill level, with 5-, 15-, 30-, 62-, and 100-mile options. From scenic paths to challenging terrain, you'll have the opportunity to choose a route that matches your abilities and preferences.
• Rest stops and support: Throughout the ride, you'll encounter strategically placed rest stops stocked with refreshments and snacks to keep you fueled and hydrated. Volunteers and support staff will be on hand to provide assistance, mechanical support, and encouragement, ensuring you have everything you need to complete your ride safely and comfortably.
• Community spirit: Tour de Cure is a community gathering. You'll meet fellow cyclists, volunteers, and supporters who are all passionate about making a difference in the fight against diabetes. Whether you're riding solo or as part of a team, you'll feel a sense of camaraderie and solidarity as you pedal toward the finish line together.
• Making an Impact: By participating in the Tour de Cure, you're making a tangible difference in the lives of millions affected by diabetes. Funds raised through the event support critical research, advocacy efforts, education, and programs aimed at preventing and managing diabetes, ultimately helping to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by this chronic disease.
• Crossing the finish line: As you approach the finish line, you'll be greeted with cheers and applause from fellow participants, volunteers, and spectators. Crossing the finish line is a moment of triumph and celebration, symbolizing your dedication, perseverance, and commitment to the cause.
• Post-ride festivities: After completing your ride, stick around for the post-ride festivities and celebrations. Enjoy live music, games, a variety of lunch options, a beer garden, a Wellness Expo, and the awards ceremony as you relive the highlights of your Tour de Cure experience and connect with fellow participants.

Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or a first-time rider, participating in Tour de Cure is an experience like no other. So saddle up, pedal with purpose, and join the fight to end diabetes as you embark on your cycling journey. See you at the starting line in Lexington on August 18!

1. The Tour de Cure®: New England routes are outstanding. There are distances for everyone ranging from 5 to 100 miles. Riding on scenic roads in historic towns, including Lexington, Concord, Bedford, and Carlisle, you’ll pedal on parts of the routes traveled by Paul Revere and the minutemen in 1775.
2. Cycling is a terrific way to get physically active in a sustainable way. What’s more fun than getting outside to ride with new and old friends? When the day ends, you’ll find yourself making plans to get together for more rides and, of course, next year’s Tour de Cure.
3. Tour de Cure is about more than one day. Throughout the spring and summer, there will be training rides every week with the opportunity to move, connect with fellow riders, and prepare for your Tour de Cure adventure on August 18. The first big event on the calendar is our May 4 Kickoff Celebration at Revolution Hall in Lexington preceded by training rides. Stay tuned for details.
4. It’s fun! After an inspiring sendoff at the start line, you’ll visit our rest stops along each route where our fabulous volunteers will greet you with smiles and everything you need to stay fueled and hydrated. Be prepared for surprises that will help generate the energy to get back in the saddle. And when you reach the finish line, a fantastic selection of food awaits, along with music, games, and our Tour Beer Garden.
5. You get to be a superhero. When you were a kid, didn’t you want to dress in a colorful costume and fly around helping people? At Tour de Cure, you can put on your flashiest cycling outfit and pedal like crazy to raise funds, raise awareness, and make a difference in the lives of people with diabetes!

DIABETES MANAGEMENT

Work with your diabetes care team to make a plan that helps you manage your diabetes and reach your treatment goals:

A is for A1C: An A1C test tells you your average blood glucose for the past two to three months.

B is for blood pressure: Your blood pressure numbers tell you the force of blood inside your blood vessels. When your blood pressure is high, your heart has to work harder.

C is for cholesterol: Your cholesterol numbers tell you about the amount of fat in your blood. Some kinds, like HDL cholesterol, help protect your heart. Others, like LDL cholesterol, can clog your blood vessels and lead to heart disease. Triglycerides are another kind of blood fat that raises your risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Visit diabetes.org to learn more about diabetes.

By Dana Boisvert

My diabetes/Tour de Cure® story goes back several years.

In late 2012/early 2013, I had a pretty serious medical issue that put me in the hospital for several weeks. When I did get out, I had a lot of activity restrictions for a long time. I had been pre-diabetic for several years, but while hospitalized and recovering, my condition progressed into full type 2 diabetes.

After getting that diagnosis, I wondered what I could/should do to improve my health. My primary care doctor at the time didn't seem to have any great ideas except to prescribe insulin and other medications. I didn’t get advice on proper management of my diabetes with exercise or anything else. I felt kind of like a knick-knack put up on a high shelf to protect it from being damaged. That was not the kind of life I had any intention of living.

I had always been interested in cycling but never took it up as a regular thing. I did have a road bike and I would do 10–15-mile rides now and then. Lacking proper cycling clothing other than a helmet, I rode in some fluorescent yellow T-shirts and shorts. What a sight I must have been in those days. 

In late 2013, I was reading my copy of Bicycling magazine and saw a classified ad in the back for the New England Classic (NEC) Tour de Cure, a multi-day cycling adventure in New England with two-day or seven-day options. When I saw that it benefitted the American Diabetes Association®, I decided right then and there to sign up. I made that decision despite the fact the longest ride I had ever done was about 20 miles and with the “short” two-day option for the NEC being 150 miles. Not sure what I was thinking (maybe I wasn’t!), but I signed up anyway.

Very shortly after signing up, I got a nice voicemail from Tim Wilson welcoming me to the ride and mentioning I was the newest Red Rider® to sign up. This introduced me to the term "Red Rider," used to describe those of us who ride with diabetes. It was also my introduction to the nicest and most welcoming bunch of people I had ever met. 

I tried to do as many rides as I could to prepare for the big event. As spring rolled around, I learned that I could participate in the then multiple New England Tour de Cure events as training rides, and I took advantage. I rode in the North Shore Tour de Cure that May and had a great experience. I was able to ride the 62-mile route and finish it and was well on my way.

My first NEC was an absolute blast! It was the first time I met some of the folks that I have now known and ridden with for 10-plus years. The routes were great, the volunteers were the BEST, and the riders were as friendly as could be. Hearing "GO RED RIDER!" all during the weekend really made me feel great.

Since that first event, I have had similar experiences at every Tour de Cure event. And a lot of other things have changed for the better, in great part thanks to the Tour de Cure.

I have become a year-round cyclist who trains on an indoor trainer using Zwift during cold and wet New England winters. When I do get outside, while I do not exactly go looking for the steepest hills to ride, I don’t completely avoid them either. It has made me a better cyclist and opened up many more route options when living in New Hampshire. 

During this cycling journey, I have managed to greatly improve my diabetes numbers. I have lost around 50 pounds and have reduced or eliminated some of my medications, including being able to eliminate insulin. 

The real story here, though, is not about me, the cycling, or the fun of the event. It's much more about supporting the cause. My grandfather had type 2 diabetes and my mom and sister both have type 2 diabetes. I have three daughters—17, 15, and 5 years old—and much of the reason for what I do is to help support research so that, hopefully, my girls never have to deal with diabetes, finger sticks, insulin shots, etc.

As I said, since I started riding in the Tour de Cure, I have become an avid cyclist, also participating in many other charity rides for causes such as autism, veterans, and others. Off the bike, I have been a member of the organizing committee for both the NEC and the New England Tour de Cure. The cause and what cycling has done for me is so important. Like Paul Revere, I'd love to shout as a ride, not a warning but a promise: “The cyclists are coming to fight diabetes!”