TourdeCure?

A friend just asked me if I was going to participate in the "TourdeCure" today. I know nothing about it other than what I just read on the site, but it does seem appropriate for us, and a local event. I see it's put on by the ADA (June 21.)
There's a requred donation of at least $150 + a $25 registration fee. It looks fully supported, so it might make for a nice safe training ride.
"Recreational and avid cyclists alike can experience a scenic ride through the Michigan countryside. Chose one of six routes designed to present the right level of challenge for your ability. No matter which ride you choose, you'll have a great day while doing good in the fight against diabetes.
Start your day off right with bagels, fruit, and juice for breakfast. Rest Stops complete with sports drinks, water and an assortment of fruit and snacks will be available every 10-15 miles. Throughout the ride, you'll be fully supported by our team of volunteers including SAG wagons, bike techs and medical help if needed."

Time flies

One year. 52 weeks. 365 days.

It's all the same amount of time we've been keeping this blog up to date.

In this past year, we've posted 146 topics that were viewed in 7500 visits by 1112 distinct visitors from 21 countries across the globe.

People from 44 of our 50 United States have viewed our blog and therefore, have been brought up to speed on what a great group we are and what an awesome thing we are doing.

61% of the visitors are coming from our email/blog links, and other referred places. 31% is coming from Direct Links and 8% from search engines.

(oh, and if you know anyone in say... Wyoming, New Mexico, N or S Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, or Delaware - get them to visit this blog! :-)

Let Katie know if you want to do more than comment on the blog. We invite any team member to join us.

And finally, check out the cool new stuff (training plans, team training ride, etc.) on the Rider Info page on our website!

$10,074 and change

That's how much we raised in the last three months (December, January, February) working at Van Andel Arena - an average of about $10.50 an hour, per person. And that's without any major concerts - the current quarter has several of those. The Kid Rock concert alone brought us almost $3000 between sales and tips. Grand Rapids Rampage fans eat like you wouldn't believe - wanna help feed their appetite and put $$$ in your fundraising account (and have fun doing it)? Contact Mary at the JDRF office for more info!

Vegas memories

As an addendum to Derek's post below.

Oh, by the way, this was in an elevator! Imagine how much fun the rest of the night was.

It's not too early, is it?

To start talking about the post-ride Vegas experience, for the Death Valley folks?

Thoughts?

did

Ride Registration is OPEN

The following is an email from National Ride Person Trish Patterson about how to register for this year's Asheville and Death Valley rides. There is also an addition from Mary at the end with some info specific to the West Michigan team.

Registration for the Asheville, Whitefish-August/September and Death Valley Ride to Cure Diabetes events is now open! You will have two weeks (3/21) to fill your guaranteed spots.

Registration will be open to the public as well so it is very important that you provide the info below to you riders so that they can gain access to the slots you have reserved.

Whitefish-August/September and Death Valley are sold out at this time and will not open to the public. However, there is still space available in Sonoma and Asheville.

These are the steps to follow to insure a smooth registration process:

1. Provide your riders with this link (https://ride.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ride.rideRegisterChapter) to register. This link will take your riders to the slots you have reserved for Asheville, Whitefish-August/September and Death Valley.

2. Riders must register themselves. Each rider will need to electronically sign the waiver, commitment forms and pay the $100 non-refundable registration fee.

3. The rider will receive automatic notification that their registration has been received in the Ride Department and be able to begin fundraising immediately.

4. The Ride Department will be notified of the registration and will forward it on to the Chapter for acceptance within 48 hours.

5. The Ride Department will not accept any rider with outstanding money. We will notify the rider as well as the Chapter upon receiving their registration. Please make sure all outstanding balances are settled prior to them registering.

6. Once the Chapter accepts the rider, the Ride Department will confirm the Chapter assignment in Ride Tracker. Once assigned the Chapter will be able to view the rider’s record in Ride Tracker. Please allow a minimum of 24 hours for this to take place.

7. Let the fun begin!!!!!!

After March 21st, this link will become inactive, your unused reserved slots will be open to the public and all those wishing to participate in the Ride to Cure Diabetes will need to log on to the ride website ride.jdrf.org to register.

Important: If a rider has not completed fundraising from a previous ride their registration will not be accepted until the balance due is paid in full and reflected in Ride Tracker. Please be sure that all of your riders are aware of this and that all fundraising minimums have been met.

If you have already collected and deposited the registration fee and the rider requests a refund of the registration fee processed online please read and follow the instructions in the attached memo.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Trish Patterson
Development Coordinator
JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes
email: tpatterson@jdrf.org
(p) 864.850.8996 (NEW)
(f) 864.850.8945 (NEW)

From Mary Scheidel

I just registered myself for the Death Valley ride and want to make you aware of a couple things on the registration page.

When it asks for chapter affiliation pull down to MI – West Michigan

When it asks for team name put West Michigan

Team address is 5075 Cascade Rd. Grand Rapids, MI 49546

I think that covers it. Let me know if you have other questions.