It’s official, I have signed up for two JDRF rides this year. In September I’ll head to Lake Tahoe, Calif., and in November, I’ll participate in my hometown Nashville ride. I’d love nothing more than for you to join me in one of these rides. I promise you can do it, and I promise it will change your life in the most beautiful and unexpected ways.
Three years ago, I signed up for my first ride. I wasn’t a cyclist, and I didn’t have a bicycle. (Actually 20 percent of people who sign up for JDRF rides the first time don’t own bikes.) I bought a 25-year-old Fuji from a friend and I started pedaling — one foot in front of the other. The next year, I rode a little farther and pedaled a little faster. And this year, I’ve set bigger goals with hopes of reaching new distances. Best of all, I’ve set a larger fundraising goal than I’ve set in the past, contributing more dollars toward type 1 diabetes research than ever before. And to me, that’s the most exciting part of this journey!
Today, I signed on the dotted line, and I put my own money where it matters. I give you my commitment to work harder than I have before. To ride farther and faster. To climb more mountains and find confidence in my ability to ride. My commitment to make new friends and find new routes in Nashville. To leave my comfort zone and welcome new physical challenges. Most importantly, I give you my commitment to tackle diabetes management completely. On the road, off the road and everything in between. I’ll share the complete journey, with the hope it encourages others… encouragement to support this research, encouragement to live an active lifestyle, encouragement to take charge of your own health.
I love the JDRF Ride program because it encompasses everyone. It brings a community of people together — friends, contributors and cheerleaders. Regardless of a person’s connection to type 1 diabetes, it joins a group of people with a common goal of eliminating type 1 diabetes. And that’s why I love ride season. So thank you for being such an intricate part of the journey and such a vital piece of my life. Are you ready for the best ride season yet?
Let’s do this thing.
I’m raising $2,000 for the Nashville ride and $4,000 for the Lake Tahoe ride. You can support either ride because both benefit JDRF and research for type 1 diabetes.
I feel like that 20% line was included just for me! 😛