Volunteers keep Tour rolling

Published 8:29 pm Friday, February 27, 2015

Among the many volunteers who make the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure roll smoothly in Suffolk is Carol Warren.

Warren is involved in two different ways. Her employer, Birdsong Peanuts, has a team of riders, and she also helps the Holland Baptist Church youth group in its efforts to support the ride.

“We’re doing our part, but we’re also exercising and getting out,” Warren said.

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The rest stops are an important part of the ride, especially for those on the longer routes. They feature a place to refuel with food and drink as well as to use the bathroom, to make bicycle repairs or just to get out of the saddle for a few minutes.

The 100-mile route, for example, features seven rest stops.

Warren said community involvement is important both for local employers like Birdsong and for local churches.

The 2015 Hampton Roads Tour de Cure will take place on April 25 beginning and ending at King’s Fork High School. Cyclists can choose 10-, 25-, 65- or 100-mile routes. There is a $25 registration fee and a $200 fundraising minimum. The fundraising goal is $450,000, and so far about $85,000 has been raised.

Money raised is used for diabetes education, awareness, research and advocacy.

For more information about the Tour de Cure, visit www.diabetes.org/hamptonroadsvatour.