The routes on the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure bicycle ride fundraiser have changed somewhat this year, but the fun will stay the same.

The biggest change this year is that the 65-mile and 100-mile riders will begin the course together and stay together for almost the entire 65-mile ride. The 65-milers then will split off and head back to King’s Fork High School, where the ride begins and ends, and the 100-milers will continue on to complete their ride.

This is Brandon Newsome’s first year as development manager for the American Diabetes Association, but he has participated as a rider with the Tour de Cure for several years. He had noticed that many teams have riders on both of the longest distances.

“It really allows the teams to kind of stay together and enjoy the entirety of the ride,” he said.

Another big change for this year’s routes is that the lunch break stop has been moved indoors at Oakland Elementary School.

“The weather around that time can be iffy,” Newsome said. “It might be a little chilly. It might be a little rainy.”

Having the lunch stop indoors will allow riders to take their time and chat without their muscles getting too cold, Newsome said.

“Of course, we hope it’s going to be 70 degrees and sunny and beautiful, but we’ve planned if not,” he said. “Those are the big changes we’ve focused on to improve the overall experience for our riders.”

A hot breakfast will also be available for the riders on the longer routes.

As always, there will be plenty of rest stops and course support along the way, Newsome said.

He said riders seem to enjoy the bucolic atmosphere of the ride in Suffolk.

“The nice little mix of rolling hills, the farmland, it really makes for an enjoyable, peaceful ride,” Newsome said. “That’s what we want to promote it as. It’s not a race. It’s a ride. You just really get to enjoy yourself and celebrate what we’re trying to accomplish with finding a cure for diabetes.”

The 2017 Hampton Roads Tour de Cure will take place April 29, beginning and ending at King’s Fork High School. The route options are 10, 25, 65 or 100 miles.

There is a $25 registration fee and a $200 fundraising minimum. The fundraising goal is $450,000; so far about $186,000 has been raised.

Visit www.diabetes.org/hamptonroadsvatour for more information about the fundraiser or to volunteer.