I’ve been an avid cyclist since I saw my first skinny tire bike. When other kids were buying their first car, I was buying my first French bike. I spent youthful summers touring the mountains and valleys of Colorado on a fully loaded touring bike. This year I’m hoping my body remembers what it’s like to spend 6 or 8 hours in the saddle!

My love of biking turned dirty in my thirties– I found the desert and mountain biking. I found a way to move my family to a great little mountain biking town in Western Colorado. Life was great, and I was going to ride off into the western sunset (figuratively speaking) on smooth single-track. But life never turns out the way you think it will.

Three years ago, at the age of 46, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. My previous lifestyle meant going to the doctor once a year – maybe. So coping with the whole enchilada was overwhelming – shots, diet change, dealing with the medical system, and on and on. Over time I’ve taught myself to treat my disease aggressively, seeking and using every technology and continuously educating myself. My life has, for a large part, become my disease. It’s simply my way of coping.

So now I’m looking at the next stage of life with Type 1. I’m getting back on the bike (skinny tires instead of fat) and I’m figuring out the complexities of insulin and endurance sports. I’m also beginning to understand the emotional benefit of giving back to the diabetes community. Committing to fundraising was just as scary as my first shot – no kidding! But now I’m totally thrilled with each donation I solicit and each training ride I complete.

I’m looking forward to two big diabetes charity rides this year. My excitement level is pretty high for more than one reason. Of course I’m excited about riding, but I’m also excited and nervous about mingling with others with diabetes. My job and other interests, and my smallish hometown, all serve to limit my exposure to my fellow T1’s and T2’s. So it’s going to be doubly exciting to meet others in the diabetes community and participate in the rides.

So here’s a toast to every donor, every volunteer and every rider; May the winds be light and the road be smooth. May your conscience rest easy knowing you give back to the world. See you in the saddle!