HAMILTON — If you pass one of the 700 cyclists who will take to North Shore roads tomorrow for the Tour de Cure, give them a friendly wave. They’re riding to cure diabetes.
The Tour, which starts and ends at Pingree School in Hamilton, is a fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association. Many of the riders have diabetes themselves; they’re identifiable by special red jerseys.
Although there are timed portions for competitive riders, the cycling is almost secondary to the socializing, fun and camaraderie shared by local families affected by diabetes.
Making connections and sharing experience with people — especially those recently diagnosed — is what Manchester resident Kevin Dolan said he’s looking forward to the most about his first Tour ride.
“(It’s a chance to) show that it’s not a disease that stops you from doing the things you want to,” said Dolan, who has lived with Type 1 diabetes (often called “juvenile” diabetes) for 28 years. “You can lead a happy, fulfilling life with this disease.”
Tomorrow, riders in 100-, 62-, 31- and 15-mile treks will leave Pingree in staggered starts beginning at 7 a.m., returning by noon for a celebration lunch with live music and activities for kids and families.
Tour de Cure riders will pass through 18 towns on the North Shore and Cape Ann, including Beverly, Boxford, Essex, Ipswich, Manchester, Rockport and Newburyport, and can be spotted on routes 1A, 97, 113, 133 and 127.
American Diabetes Association volunteers will set up pit stops along the route for riders, including a rest stop on the South Green in Ipswich on Route 1A.
The North Shore event is one of more than 80 Tours de Cure across the U.S. throughout the spring and summer, and the only one-day event in Massachusetts. In previous years, the ride has started and finished at Gloucester High School; last year’s North Shore Tour raised $260,000.
The American Diabetes Association expects 700 riders tomorrow and hopes to raise more than $300,000, said Karen Bagley, associate manager for the event.
“The riders we have are stepping up for people they care about,” Bagley said. “Many of the people who ride, ride because they know someone who has struggled with diabetes” or complications from the disease.
Such is the case for Dolan, whose brother, mother, several aunts, grandmother and two close friends have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
“It’s a disease that doesn’t get a lot of attention,” Dolan said. “It’s not something that is particularly visible to people. Diabetes is a fly-below-the-radar type of disease.”
Staff writer Bethany Bray can be reached at bbray@salemnews.com and on Twitter @SNewsBethany.
Tour de Cure
Tomorrow morning
100-, 62-, 31- and 15-mile rides start and finish at Pingree School, 537 Highland St., Hamilton.
To enter, volunteer, donate or get more information, go to diabetes.org/tour (click on “find your local tour” to go to the North Shore tour site) or call 888-DIABETES
