American Diabetes Association Atlanta Tour De Cure Bike Ride

Hundreds of bike riders came out for the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure bike ride in west Atlanta at the end of May. Many had diabetes themselves, while many others were there to support and ride for their family and friends.

I started off at one of the rest stops along the different ride paths. There were rides as short as fourteen miles and as long as 100 miles. Rest stops were quite important for these folks to keep them hydrated and their blood sugar levels even with plenty of healthy snack options.

Everyone I saw was in serious biker attire.

While plenty of folks rode solo, there were many I saw who were sticking with their friends or family members during the ride and at rest stops.

I loved when folks would play for the camera. Giving me a thumbs up, a peace sign, fist pumps with a smile, or popping wheelies.

Folks gathered for selfies and I saw some photobombers jumping into them, with even more photographs with the newbie in the group.

Dads rode with their children. Some on their bikes and some with their own.

After a fair share of riders had come through this rest stop, I hitched a ride with one of the event vehicles driving the route to ensure biker safety and health.

It was fun getting a real time highway view of these guys as we passed many of the cyclists. Some slowing for a quick drink.

We passed other rest stops and saw some truly beautiful countryside.

I loved the opportunity to be a passenger with my camera in hand.

Such a fun morning to connect with others out for a good cause.

We met this lady at another rest stop. She was all smiles and tough talk. She told us how she could do this bike ride. That it’s easy peasy. Because she’s tough. She has diabetes. She was one of the Red Riders out on this day. I loved her energy and wished I could have spent an afternoon hanging out with her. I bet she has fantastic stories to tell.

Loved this guy and his different bike!

And there he goes, down an old country road.

We stopped on the side of the road when we saw these two with a blown out tire.

After determining the tire was irreparable, the bike got loaded in the back of the event car and we escorted the rider to the finish to find a repair station and wait for his wife.

These horses were just before the Boundary Waters entrance where the Tour de Cure started and finished. When I arrived early in the morning, the brown one staring at me had been all riled up. I think he was excited by all of the cars driving by because he was racing back and forth in the pasture. By mid-afternoon, he seemed calm and collected. And still quite beautiful.

I had such a great time working with the American Diabetes Association of Atlanta and documenting their Tour de Cure in Atlanta. Being surrounded by so many good people working towards a cure and for a good cause is incredibly rewarding.