Southeast Tulsa –
The American Diabetes Association hosted their annual Tulsa Tour de Cure bicycle ride Saturday morning.
The event featured four different rides—a 75-mile race and a 50-mile race beginning at 7:30 a.m., a 25-mile race beginning at 8:30 a.m., and a 10-mile race beginning at 9:00 a.m.
All four routes began at Hillcrest Hospital South in the 8800 block of South 101st East Avenue in Tulsa.
The largest route took riders into Wagoner and Okmulgee Counties, then back into southeast Tulsa.
According to Tour de Cure Coordinator Lauren Teague, about 450 cyclists turned out for the races.
Organizers had well-stocked rest stops, as well as mechanical and medical support.
Fifty participants living with diabetes, known as Red Riders, hoped to encourage others living with type 1 or 2 diabetes not to let the condition stop them.
Each rider had a $150 fundraising minimum. Registration fees were $25 before Saturday and $35 on Saturday.
“Events like Tour de Cure are here to raise money to find a cure for diabetes,” said Teague.
All proceeds went to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for diabetes awareness, education, and research to find a cure.
Teague said they raised at least $110,000.
Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body’s ability to produce and/or use insulin.
