Information for riders:
Message from Coach Mike Clark - As we embark on this adventure together I want you to know that I think it’s awesome that you’ve joined our team and are going to be a part of this very cool project! This is the 5th season that the West Michigan Chapter has been involved with the Ride to Cure and we’ve had a ton of fun and done some good work over the last 4 seasons. There have been many laughs, a few tears and lots of stories from past rides and this year will be no different! This is a wonderful thing that you’ve chosen to become a part of and I can’t wait to get to it! My job and goal is to see to it that you are ready and eager by the time your Ride comes along and I’m going to do anything and everything I can to make sure you get everything out of this that you’re looking for.
Training Plans -
The training plans below are guidelines to help a rider prepare adequately for the mileage they want to complete in the given amount of time they have to train. And here are Coach Mike's thoughts on how to intrepret these plans.
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Century |
n/a |
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Riding
To help get some of those miles needed under your belt, our team will get together a few times per month and ride as a team. This is where the "fun" of riding really comes into play. There are also Club/Bike Shop rides that go on locally - we've included rides we know about below. Also included is a list of tours that happen throughout the riding season in greater Michigan. Our calendar has all of these listed (with more detail).
Fundraising Ideas - here are some ideas and contact information for riders who have used these ideas successfully to help in raising the funds.
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Scheidel Letter | |
Fundraising Milestones - So you know your fundraising goal, but there are also some milestones that are set to ensure you get to the ultimate goal by the time Ride day arrives. Please be sure you are hitting these goals. The first one: $750 is key, as JDRF cannot book travel until you've hit this fundraising mark. Booking flights early = less expensive = more $$$ for research.
La Crosse, WI |
Death Valley, CA |
Tucson, AZ |
5/12 |
$750 | 7/14 |
$750 | 8/14 |
$750 |
7/28 |
$1,000 | 8/30 |
$1,000 | 10/4 |
$1,000 | ||
8/2 |
75% of min. | 10/4 | 75% of min. | 11/8 | 75% of min. | ||
9/12 |
balance | 11/14 | balance | 12/18 | balance | ||
The Ride Experience - thoughts from past riders
"Riding in Death Valley is truly a life changing experience. As I struggle up to Jubilee Pass, I think about my son Jake checking his blood sugar, four, five or six times today. As I battle the 100 degree heat, I think about Jake changing his pump site. As I fight the 30 mile an hour wind on the way to the finish line, I just want the ride to end. And for me it does end. I get to stop and relax by a pool. But dealing with diabetes doesn’t end for Jake. He still has to check his blood sugar, change his pump site, watch what he eats and live with the knowledge that he has an increased chance of blindness, kidney failure and amputation. So I will train to put myself through 105 miles of pain in the desert so that one day, Jake and our ride friends and all the others dealing with this disease will be able to live a life free of diabetes." - Tom
"Consistent with finding a cure to Type 1 Diabetes, success in the Death Valley ride is NOT a one person endeavor. Teamwork and collaboration is essential. I’m proud and thankful to be part of the team that will find a cure. Join us, you will never regret it." - J.D.
"...to think about what the ride really means to me. Brings me to tears every time!" - Carmen
Interact with the team - Want to be able to post on our blog? Email Katie and let her know. She'll send you an invitation.
West Michigan Ride to Cure Diabetes Sponsors
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