Ride to Cure

The JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes is an adventure of a lifetime. Riders from around the world take on two challenges: raising the critical money needed to fund the research that will cure diabetes and reaching a personal training goal that will prepare them for their destination cycling experience. Participants spend the weeks before the ride working with a USA Cycling certified coach and a JDRF fundraising coach to help them reach their goals. Be part of the team that moves us toward a cure with every mile pedaled and every dollar raised.

Partners in Motion

As a rider, you’ll commit to a fundraising minimum (packages start at $2,000) and in exchange, JDRF will provide you with support and coaching during the months leading up to, as well as throughout, the JDRF Ride weekend. JDRF has created powerful online fundraising tools to make it easier for you to reach your goal, and your local JDRF chapter can help you with materials, ideas, and support.

2013 Event Dates

July 25-28 Burlington, VT
Aug. 15-18 Lacrosse, WI
Sept. 6-9 Lake Tahoe, CA
Sept. 19-22 Nashville, TN
Oct. 17-20 Death Valley, CA
Nov. 21-24 Tucson, AZ

The 2010 Southwest Ohio Team at the Death Valley Ride from Greater Cincinnati

The Southwest Ohio team from Greater Dayton at Lake Whitefish

Good luck painted nails!

The Southwest Ohio team from Greater Dayton

Click here to register!
Find the JDRF Ride to Cure Program on Facebook here!
To find out about local rides, please visit our Events Calendar page.

Youngs Charity Ride

Congratulations to JDRF’s Jason Litke for being the top fundraiser this year in the 2012 Youngs Charity Ride, held July 21 - 22. This two day, 160 mile ride from Yellow Springs to Ada, Ohio, and back had 160 plus riders participating in this fundraiser for four local charitable organizations: JDRF, Alzheimer’s, United Rehab Services, and South Community Behavioral Care.     

The Youngs JDRF Ride team raised over $4,000 and was the fourth largest fundraising team. And as noted below, Jason is the top individual fundraiser with over $1,500 in donations.

Congratulations, Jason, and to the JDRF Youngs Charity Ride Team, along with all of the JDRF volunteers who ensured a successful 2012 ride.

Pictured above: JDRF’s Tara Listerman and Vicky Williams (pictured second and third from the left) with Dan Young (Orange Jersey) at the post-ride celebration and check presentation.

Free Spinning

Join the Southwest Ohio Ride to Cure team at Club 51 Fitness in Centerville, Ohio every week to jump-start your training. Thanks to our wonderful sponsor, Club 51 Fitness, JDRF riders are offered free classes.

Club 51 Fitness
51 E. Spring Valley Pike
Centerville, OH 45458

Free spinning classes:
Thursdays 7-8:30pm
Sundays 6-7:30pm

http://www.club51fitness.com/home.aspx

View Jack Hughes’, a Southwest Ohio Rider, Journey with the Ride to Cure Diabetes here.

Coaches’ Bios

Julie Roettker

Julie has coached the JDRF Ride to Cure team since 2010. Her husband/fellow JDRF rider has Type 1 diabetes, and they have ridden in Death Valley, Austin, Whitefish, Killington, La Crosse, and Tucson. She is just as happy with a leisurely ride on the bike path as a challenging ride of hills and more hills. Julie lives in Cincinnati, so she can generally be found on JDRF training rides in Greater Cincinnati. However, her daughter lives in Dayton, so she can also be found on rides there. Julie mentioned that if there is interest to join the Ride to Cure team, she can offer training rides during the day on a weekday. Julie says she has met the best people in her life through JDRF Ride to Cure, both her team members and riders from other chapters at the national ride venues, and she looks forward to adding more great friends to her life.

John Dallman

This is John’s ninth year of riding with JDRF. His focus is to make any day on his bike a day of fun, adventure, and sometimes a challenge. The JDRF Ride Program is both about the destination (finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes) and about sharing the journey of getting there. In a world in which so much is out of our control, this is something that he/we can do. John can ride his bike fast, slow, or in between. He can personally gain better health and fitness while doing so. And John can use the bike to raise money to support research. It’s all good, and it’s all JDRF. John is a 59-year-old contractor who is happily married with two grown children.

Scott Backer

Scott Backer was first introduced to JDRF in 2001 when he was asked to ride in Death Valley. He says he thought, “Wow, that sounds stupid, I’ll do it!” Since then Scott has ridden in 13 JDRF rides and has been coaching since 2007. He really enjoys seeing the riders train and complete their goals, especially when they cross the finish line. One of Scott’s favorite moments is when all the coaches assemble at the stop sign in Death Valley as they escort the last rider in and the group reflects on the day. Scott’s toughest ride is a tie between Death Valley on a tandem with his daughter and Killington in the cold rain. His favorite ride weather is Death Valley hot. Scott has two children in college, and his wife will be riding in her second JDRF ride this year. Other interests are fishing and watching/coaching lacrosse.

The changes and advancements since Scott has joined the cause against T1D have been inspiring. He hopes to continue to coach and support the cause and see the cure happen, he says.

Daniel Feldkamp (Lt. Dan)

There is nothing better than getting out with a passionate group of cyclists and exercising together while raising the funds and the awareness needed to someday cure Type 1 Diabetes. Daniel has had the privilege of cycling with the JDRF Ride to Cure since 2005, and 2012 will mark his third year of coaching. It is his goal as a coach for the Southwest Ohio Team to create a cycling experience that is fun, safe and keeps you coming back for more year after year. If your thinking about joining the Ride to Cure, his message is simple and the experience is unforgettable and the relationships are endless!

Daniel is a proud father and stepfather to six wonderful children. His wife Karyn is very understanding and flexible about Daniel’s busy schedule, allowing him the time to spin his wheels with JDRF. Daniel is proud to say that his time with JDRF has rubbed off as his stepdaughter, Emily, will be joining him in LaCrosse this year, riding for her friend Lynzie Parks.

As co-owner of Visual Edge Imaging, Daniel’s professional career allows him to create marketing solutions for small business, encompassing everything from brand awareness, print marketing, Web design and Web marketing, as well as photographic imaging and video production. Gear up!

Improve Your Fundraising

Welcome to the JDRF Ride to Cure! Need some helpful fundraising hints? Take a look at these documents. If you would like more information, please contact Tara Listermann at 513-793-3223 or email.

Video Fundraising Letter: How-To
Creating Awareness About Your Ride
Writing Your Fundraising Letter: Helpful Hints
Twitter For Fundraising
Blogging 101