The American Diabetes Association’s Hampton Roads Tour de Cure returns to Suffolk this April, and riders already are gearing up for the annual event.

The kickoff will be held Tuesday, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at this year’s premier sponsor, Bon Secours inMotion, 828 Healthy Way, Virginia Beach.

The actual ride will take place on April 25, and the cyclists once again will begin and end their rides at King’s Fork High School.

Amie Holman, associate director of American Diabetes Association in Hampton Roads, said the event also includes wrap-up items, such as top team and fundraiser awards, from last year. Post-event parties in the middle of the summer usually don’t work out, because so many people are on vacation, Holman noted.

Volunteers also will be honored, and everyone who gets up on stage will be asked to share why they ride.

“A lot of times, we may miss out on sharing our own personal stories related to the mission,” Holman said.

Exciting changes for the actual 2015 event — for which the theme will be “Let’s get RED of diabetes” — also will be shared, Holman said.

One of the biggest changes is that the 30-mile ride has been dropped to 25 miles. Last year’s 30-mile route wound up being about 25 miles because of construction, Holman said.

“The riders who rode it loved it,” she said. “We’re taking a cue from them.”

The other route options — 10, 65 and 100 miles — haven’t changed.

This year, food trucks from Eat the Streets 757 will be providing a portion of the post-ride meal, and Subway still is involved, as well. Pre-ride breakfast will be prepared by Chef Larry Adler and the Stratford University School of Culinary Arts students.

A Bon Secours nutritionist will be on hand with interactive displays to help folks learn how to eat better.

A photo booth and kids’ activities, where they can make their own posters and noisemakers to cheer on their favorite riders, will add more fun to the post-ride party.

Finally, Ty Lorenzo, the “Face of Fox43,” will be on hand as well.

Next week’s kickoff event is free, but RSVPs are required to Robin Kantor at 424-6662, ext. 3269, or rkantor@diabetes.org.