Comment

Comment by Mike Campana on March 13, 2009 at 6:26am

Sorry Mike, I didn't mean to call out video games specifically. Just that they don't help. There are many things that have led up to this problem with digital technology being a part of those things.

Comment by miketosh on March 13, 2009 at 5:58am

Mike,

Not sure I agree that video games are the cause. Just like guns don't kill people. There is time in every child's life for both cycling and video games. (It rains everywhere, right?! ;-)

In response to Bob, I'm looking forward to riding as a Red Rider this year. I don't remember that option for last year's ride, or the year before, but I think it will add a HUGE dynamic to the face of the ride. As far as spreading the word, I agree that we spread the word with the fundraising, and the ride itself shouldn't be expected to generate that much awareness. When you are out there fundraising, it is a discussion time. When you are riding past someone at a red light, there isn't that much you can do to fill them in on the details of the ride, especially when you are 30 to 50 miles away from the nearest source of information back at the start/finish!

UNSUBSTANTIATED OPINIONATED COMMENTARY: I believe that as much as a lack of exercise is causing the obesity in the US, so is our healthy economy. People just eat more than they burn, myself included, because we can afford to have a comfortable lifestyle. That includes larger meals that we sit down and eat year round. Eating the largest meal of the day after you've finished your active part of the day isn't the best either. I always try to eat a large breakfast to get my metabolism set up right for the rest of the day, and I think that helps keep my weight down. Being active several nights a week does too, but that also results in being woken up at 3:30am by my pump/CGM due to a BS of 45!

I (not an expert) think a key (not the solution) to helping quell the rise in Type 2 Diabetes cases is to educate people that "Yes, the number of calories you eat in a day need to be burned off that same day."

Comment by Mike Campana on March 13, 2009 at 5:02am

Hi everyone! Valid points here, what I find even more alarming is the increase in Type 2 diabetes in children. Thanks to every video game imaginable children don't get out. They are prisoners to there games, they need to get out and enjoy the fresh air. If I can inspire one man, women or child to get out and ride then I view that as one life potentially saved from this unnecessary disease. So everyone, pour on the miles this year and let people know yes, you have diabetes and no, it does not rule your life.

Happy Riding!!!!

Comment by Bob Avritt on March 13, 2009 at 4:26am

I've been involved with the Tour de Cure for over 15 years. In my early volunteer days working the Tour in Montana it did appear to be all about fund raising. I have to agree with Greg on that.

However, in the past two years working as a committee member of the Colorado Tour de Cure Red Riders Sub-Committee, I have to say the focus on fund raising is now shared by the message that people living with diabetes can and do live active lives.

A big part of this shift is the overwhelming epidemic of type 2 diabetes here in the U.S. While fund raising is still important, it now shares the spotlight with education and inspiration in hopes that we can get people with type 2 and/or risk factors for type 2 to take it serious.

Early intervention may hold it off, if only those with risk factors take it seriously and make the life changes which will do so. Same goes for most people living with type 2. They need to take it seriously. Where do those people learn? Who do they look to as living examples of what is possible?

My older brother has type 2 as well. He contributes his good control to the example I have set. What more noble task in life is there, than to offer yourself to help others? This past weekend 3 of us on Team Type 2 attended the Denver Diabetes Expo. You only have to speak to people who are newly diagnosed, frightened, and overwhelmed to know that the need for awareness generated by such programs is great.

Generally a newly diagnosed type 2 adult is going to look to what other people in their demographic are doing to control the diabetes. (after they get over the shock of the diagnosis)

While wearing a Red Rider jersey in a Tour de Cure event, or otherwise, may not be the mechanism to bring awareness to the masses in some diabetes communities, the overwhelming success of this program speaks volumes to it's validity in raising awareness. The fact that this program pays it's own way reinforces the fact that such a program is wanted by many people living with diabetes of any type.

You never know the impact you have on people who see you in the Red Rider or Team Type 2 jersey. People who never even speak to you. This is the subtle power of the Red Rider program and Tour de Cure. John Doe on the street may think what he will. We have no control over his mindset. But if he or someone close to him is diagnosed in the future, he may well recall the vision of a Red Rider.

I will now step down off of my soapbox.

Comment by Greg on March 12, 2009 at 9:50pm

Rethinking my comment below. There seem to be a lot of TDC riders out there riding because of a friend, coworker, classmate or child with diabetes. And that's great to see. They know at least a little about diabetes and they can think what they want when they see a diabetic cyclist passing them on the road. I don't know if it raises awareness or encourages others if someone with diabetes rides the TDC. Just do like Eddy said: "Ride lots."

Comment by Greg on March 10, 2009 at 9:01pm

Yes, but the Tour de Cure is all about fundraising, not spreading the message or serving as an example to other diabetics. And the key to fundraising is to show examples of how horrible diabetes is. Going out on a bike and tearing the legs off a non-diabetic out on a century ride doesn't really convey that message. I don't see that many persons with diabetes out on the ADA rides so I don't know that I would be setting a good example if I were to advertise that I have diabetes. We know we can ride, and we know that diabetes sucks, and we can encourage each other. But tough cyclists like Grant won't be the face of diabetes that the ADA or JDRF selects; no, they want a 4-year old kid giving himself an injection.
So ride the Tour de Cure and JDRF rides. We can encourage each other here, but I don't know that I will be spreading the right message by riding in this event. But I'll raise some money.

Comment by braveheart on February 6, 2009 at 6:08pm

just a reminder to all that the TOUR de CURE events are coming up soon and can be greatly served by all of us , it will help to spread the message and serve as an example for other diabetics

Comment by Joe_h on February 2, 2009 at 7:17am

merietta there are some free generic training plans at trinewbies.com and trifuel.com there are sooo much fun get a helmet and get riding! check around for any local tri clubs and athletefocus.com for other trigeeks/cyclists in your area

Comment by miketosh on January 29, 2009 at 5:01am

100 MEMBERS! That's a cool milestone.

Comment by Mike Campana on December 30, 2008 at 6:12am

Merietta, that is an awesome goal!!! Good luck and I believe there is a group here called triabetes that you may want to look into as well!

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