The Houston Tour de Cure invites you to join their ride on Saturday, September 21, 2013 starting at AutoNation Nissan Katy – Katy, Kingsland Boulevard, Katy, TX
We were lucky enough to be granted an interview with Leslie Mantaring, Associate Director of American Diabetes Association to ask some questions about their upcoming ride.
1. Why join the Ride?
“I RIDE FOR MY MOM WHO HAS DIABETES.”
“I RIDE FOR MY DAD WHO DIED FROM DIABETES.”
“I RIDE IN HONOR OF A FRIEND THAT LIVES EACH DAY WITH THIS DAUNTING DISEASE.”
“I RIDE FOR MY SON WHO HAS TYPE 1 DIABETES.”
“I RIDE FOR MYSELF!”
“I RIDE TO SUPPORT A WORTHY CAUSE!”
“I RIDE FOR THOSE WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES.”
Every person has reasons and desires for wanting to be a part of the ride as you can see from above. Many people will participate in the Tour de Cure for the competition and the challenge of pushing themselves in a cycling event. But when it comes down to it, when you join this ride you have the satisfaction of knowing that every dollar we raise brings us that much closer to stopping this disease that affects over 26 million Americans.
2. How long has the event been around?
This will be the fifth year of the Houston Tour de Cure.
3. What was the motivation behind starting the tour and who benefits from it?
The motivation to start the tour was of course to help raise funds to stop the fight for diabetes with a fun and exciting event. Our Red Ridersare the reason we ride. The Red Riders are part of a community that inspires us to ride and raise money to Stop Diabetes.
4. How have they been able to utilize the funds in the past?
The funds raised through Tour de Cure are used for research, advocacy and education for diabetes.
5. Can we get a TCX or GPX file included for download? Over 63% of folks say they are more up to attend a ride for which they have information about the routes for their on-bike device.
Not available
6. Do you have a map of the start facility showing registration point, parking, all toilets, water/snacks, start line?
The below link should have some info with maps of the start site:
http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/A6SET-SoutheastTexasArea?pg=informational&fr_id=8654&type=fr_informational&sid=15080
7. Logistically, can you give us an idea how many volunteers, finances, and planning it takes to put on this event?
Logistically speaking it takes the hard work of hundreds of volunteers to put on such an amazing event. It terms of finances we have numerous amounts of generous sponsors that assist us with making everything happen. We are planning this event year round to make it the success that it is.
8. What was the most rewarding experience throughout the years hosting this event?
The most rewarding experience is hearing the participants’ positive comments on how they had a great experience at the event and can’t wait for next year’s event. The other rewarding experience would be to see the crowd of Red Riders, who are people living with diabetes, lined up at the start line ready to start the race.
9. What is the average number of participants per year? How many riders do you assist during the average race?
This year we are expecting 2,400 riders to participate. We assist ALL riders and support them through our 10 different rest stops and SAG vehicles.
10. What was the most unforgettable experience or worst accident you had in this event?
The most unforgettable is getting to load up everything after the event is over.
11. What can folks do to support you and your mission?
To help support our mission and goals someone can start up a team; whether they are a cyclist or not. Within that team they can nominate a captain that can help with raising funds, awareness and create fun and unique ways to raise up their donations totals.
12. What is your role in this race and to the success of it?
We have a hardworking team of ADA staff who help to put this event together. In addition, have a Tour Committee that give a lot of their time and commitment to this event. They work as hard as we do!
13. Do you ride and if yes, what kind of bicycle do you ride and what is your favorite route in your area? Which are your top 3 favorite MUST DO rides in Texas (besides your own)?
Yes, the routes for Tour are one of my favorites because it has great country scenery and long routes. Lots of cyclists use this for training and riding every Saturday.
14. If you had to come up with a David Letterman style top 10 about the race, what would it read like?
Top 10 Reasons Houston Tour de Cure is the best
10. Fastest growing tour in the country
9. Food, entertainment, and family fun activities after you finish
8. 10 great rest stops along the routes with great SAG support!
7. VIP area and Team Tents for top fundraisers (with massage therapists)
6. Beautiful country scenery
5. 5 different routes to ride!
4. Wonderful volunteers and lots of different companies/organization get involved
3. Fantastic fun for the whole family
2. This is our million dollar fundraising year!!!
1. Red Riders!!!
Thanks Leslie for this interview and we hope to catch everyone at the ride!
Click here to view the event details of the Houston Tour de Cure 2013
