Tour de Cure cyclists pedal against diabetes
Published: June 13, 2005
For Miles Zatkowsky, the Tour de Cure, a bike ride that raises money for diabetes research, is personal.
His sister died of diabetes-related complications at 57. Both his parents have diabetes. And 10 years ago, Zatkowsky was diagnosed with the disease, at age 39. He has Type 2 diabetes; his body produces some insulin but doesn’t use it efficiently.
Diabetes is a disease that affects your ability on a day-to-day basis, Zatkowsky said. He monitors his blood sugar several times a day. “If your (sugar) gets too low, you can pass out; too high and you get sluggish.”
About 10 years ago, Zatkowsky founded the “Miles to Go” bike team, starting out with a few riders. The past few years, Miles to Go has consisted of as many as 70 riders and raised about $40,000 for each Tour.
About 800 cyclists participated Sunday in this year’s event, in its 13th year locally. Organizers were expecting to raise more than $220,000.
The Tour de Cure, an American Diabetes Association event, was highly organized. Balloons and dancers welcomed riders over the finish line in Mendon Ponds Park. Under a tent, riders could get free bike repairs and tune-ups from A-1 Cycle Repairs. Helmets were available on loan for those who showed up without one.
Up a hill were hot food, fruit, bagels, smoothies, and for the achy, a free massage.
Flushed faces, thirst and extreme tiredness plagued riders in the warm, muggy weather. The heat eased about noon as the skies opened up and a heavy rain poured down.
Participants could choose from several routes of varying distances: 15 miles, 40 miles, 62.5 miles or 100 miles. About 80 cities nationwide participate in the Tour de Cure.
Alan and Brenda Grossman of Brighton rode 40 miles on a tandem bike. Other riders thought they had it easy with two riders on one bike, but it’s actually “a much bigger workout,” Brenda Grossman said. “We’re moving 365 pounds.”
Lisa Casadena of Rochester had recruited friend Ann Moffitt of Fairport to accompany her on the Tour.
“It was a little hilly for me,” Moffitt said. “But the scenery was gorgeous.”
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