Discussing “La Crosse” or the “La Crosse Ride” with organizers and participants -I’m helping work the event- is not intended to surprise or confuse me every time I utter the phrase or overhear someone else make the reference. But, I’m sorry – it does. I keep thinking why are we talking about La Crosse (the area where I grew up) as though we’re referring to destinations like Hawaii or Europe? They say you can’t go home, but this is something different.

Second in a series of five fundraising rides offered by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Ride to Cure Diabetes, August 13, 2011 marks the second consecutive year JDRF has chosen La Crosse, Wisconsin as a ride destination. Yes, as in destination travel. Plus it’s not just any destination; it’s become THE destination for JDRF this year. According to JDRF organizers, 400 impassioned fundraising cyclists – the largest ride group of the year – chose La Crosse. The other ride options including: Burlington, VT; Lake Tahoe, CA; Death Valley, CA; andTucson, AZ.

Read the entire La Crosse – the New Hawaii article for more information.

LA CROSSE, Wis. – The rainy weather did not stop the “Ride to the Cure” from biking all across our area.

Bikers started at Riverside Park in La Crosse, then made their way through Minnesota, to Iowa and then back to La Crosse.

The ride helps support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation through financial support and spreading awareness of the disease.

See the entire News8000 story at Ride to the Cure rsises more than $1,000,000

I’d like to thank everyone who attended our Ride Kickoff Party last week! Just short of 60 people attended, by far our largest gathering since I’ve been with the program. Many of you couldn’t make the party, but are ready to ride with us this year. We are putting together a fantastic group of new and veteran riders dedicated to finding the cure for diabetes: Western Wisconsin riders are more enthusiastic and motivated than ever!

Signup for the Ride to Cure 2011 begins Monday, March 7, at 11 am central on a newly designed and improved JDRF Ride website.The site is more interactive and really reflects the camaraderie of the ride experience. Check out these features when you visit the new site:

• Training Tips provided by our terrific National Coaches Tim St. Clair and Mike Clark
• Rotating Rider and Destination Spotlights
• Videos
(Look for photos of Western Wisconsin’s Beth, John, Sandy, Craig, Chris, and Dan!!)
• Registration and Donations are now easier.
• And so much more!!!

One question repeated to me over the past week is “Is there a deadline for signing up?” The quick answer is “no deadline exists.” However, there is a maximum number of riders allowed at some of the destinations, and once reached, these rides do close (primarily based on accommodation and safety issues). For instance, Death Valley typically reaches its maximum fairly quickly and closes registration, and I would expect this to happen again this year. La Crosse is receiving a lot of buzz this year nationally, and while we haven’t been told what the “max” number is for the La Crosse ride, I would not be surprised if we have to close registration for it at some point. We will do our best to keep you appraised of any news we receive concerning this.

I know many of you have been thinking of joining Team Western Wisconsin and riding to cure diabetes in 2011. Hope you will register tomorrow: this is your year to pedal for that cure!

Joe Brady
JDRF Western Wisconsin
Ride to Cure Cycling Coach
608-669-2732 (cell)
608-423-4803 (home)

P.S. Feel free to call or email with any questions: Ride On!

Special thanks to the Western Wisconsin volunteers who manned rest stop #2 with great Midwest flare and fun! 

To read about the journey and see many great photos and videos, visit the JDRF Ride to Cure Facebook page by clicking here.

The

Three States….Two Bridges…One Mighty River!!!

La Crosse, Wi, is an historic, vibrant city with a flair for the old but sprinkled with the new. Nestled between the bluffs of Wisconsin and the Mississippi River, riders will navigate a course that starts in La Crosse and crosses three states, two bridges and one mighty river. Perfect for the entire family!  Discover why cyclists say riding in La Crosse constitutes some of the best biking in the Midwest.

For More information visit the La Crosse, WI Ride page

To celebrate the first anniversary of PRTV, Planet Revels is having a charity basketball game to raise money and awareness for the Western Wisconsin Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.   The game will take place Saturday February 6 at 11:00am at Onalaska High School in Onalaska, WI. It will be the La Crosse Spartans and the La Crosse Skating Sirens taking on Team PRTV and La Crosse Radio Group.

Admission is $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for kids. 100% of the proceeds will be going to JDRF. Admission will be free if you bring a non-perishable food item for the Hunger Task Force.

The event will also include contests, prizes, LOTS of crowd interaction, and performances from T.U.G.G. and Abbey Lane.  This will be a great opportunity for the whole family to come out and meet some of the communities newest athletes as well as some local musicians and other artists (besides watching what promises to be an entertaining basketball game). 

For more information, visit http://www.planet-revels.com/ or call Andrew at 608-385-3795.