Tour de Cure

Tour de Cure is a series of charity cycling events organized to raise funds for the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Rather than functioning as a conventional consumer brand or a single race, it operates as a branded event platform with rides staged in communities across the United States. Routes are designed for a broad range of cycling abilities, allowing participants to choose among different distances and take part as recreational riders, competitive cyclists, diabetes advocates, corporate-team members, or individual fundraisers. The event platform supports the ADA's public mission of preventing and curing diabetes and improving the lives of people affected by the disease. Participants generally raise money before the ride, while local organizing teams coordinate registration, route planning, safety, rest stops, rider support, volunteers, and event-day logistics. The nationwide structure enables local events to reflect their communities while retaining a common identity, fundraising purpose, and participant experience. Tour de Cure expanded substantially during the 2000s. More than 33,000 riders participated in 2007, and the 2008 program included more than 38,000 cyclists across 78 events. Those 2008 events reportedly generated nearly $16 million for the ADA, following more than $13 million raised in 2007. The figures illustrate the program's role as a major peer-to-peer fundraising initiative rather than merely a recreational ride. A distinctive part of the program is its recognition of participants living with diabetes. In 2007, the ADA introduced the Red Rider Program, which identifies riders with diabetes through a red cycling jersey and connects them with a community of fellow participants. The initiative was created and organized by Mari Ruddy, a cyclist associated with the Colorado Tour de Cure. The red identity later extended to volunteer participation: from 2015, volunteers with diabetes were known as Red Crew and received red shirts using a variation of the Red Rider and Red Strider visual identity. The event also depends on extensive volunteer labor. Volunteers help prepare and dismantle start and finish areas, operate rest stops, mark routes, distribute rider information, monitor course compliance, assist with mechanical problems, track riders, and provide support-and-gear transport for participants who cannot complete a route. Corporate teams and sponsorships have historically provided another important source of visibility and fundraising, with national and local teams associated with companies including Gold's Gym, AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, Valero Energy, Dignity Memorial, Walmart and Sam's Club, and Cisco. Fundraising expectations have varied by event and period. In 2013, the nationwide base fundraising minimum was increased from $150 to $200. Tour de Cure has also used public figures to promote the program; three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond served as a national spokesperson. Available reference material documents events in numerous states and the District of Columbia, but does not establish the program's current operating footprint or whether every historically listed event remains active. Its present status should therefore be verified through the ADA's current event information.

Tour de Cure developed as a branded fundraising program of the American Diabetes Association, using cycling events to attract participants, donors, volunteers, and corporate sponsors. Its model combined a local event structure with a national identity: individual rides were organized in different communities, but each served the same broad purpose of generating financial support for diabetes research, prevention, education, advocacy, and services. The program's routes were designed to accommodate cyclists with different levels of experience. This inclusive approach helped distinguish Tour de Cure from highly competitive road races. Participants could ride for personal achievement, form teams with colleagues or friends, or use the event as a visible expression of their connection to diabetes. Local organizers were responsible for practical matters such as route design, registration, safety, rest stops, rider information, and event-day support. Tour de Cure became a significant ADA fundraising vehicle during the 2000s. The reference record reports more than 33,000 riders in 2007 and more than $13 million raised that year. In 2008, participation exceeded 38,000 cyclists across 78 events, with nearly $16 million raised. These figures indicate substantial growth in both the geographic reach and fundraising scale of the program. Participant recognition became an important part of the event's identity. In 2007, the ADA began recognizing riders living with diabetes as Red Riders. The program was created and organized by Mari Ruddy, a rider connected with the Colorado event. Red Riders received bright red cycling jerseys and were offered a community structure through which participants with diabetes could ride together and support one another. The program made people affected directly by diabetes more visible within an event that was raising money on their behalf. The volunteer system was equally central to the event's operation. Volunteers prepared start and finish areas, staffed rest stops, marked routes, distributed guidance materials, helped with mechanical problems, transported riders who withdrew, monitored rider movements, and supported route safety. From 2015, volunteers with diabetes were identified as Red Crew and received red shirts carrying a related visual treatment. This extended the program's recognition framework beyond riders and emphasized lived experience across the event workforce. Corporate involvement broadened Tour de Cure's fundraising base. Riders could participate in national or local sponsored teams, and the reference material names companies including Gold's Gym, AT&T, Johnson & Johnson, Valero Energy, Dignity Memorial, Walmart and Sam's Club, and Cisco among national sponsors. The program also used cycling credibility in its public communications: Greg LeMond, a three-time Tour de France winner, served as a national spokesperson. Fundraising rules were adjusted over time. In 2013, the base nationwide fundraising minimum was reported as increasing from $150 to $200, reflecting the program's emphasis on participant-led fundraising. Historical location listings cover a large portion of the United States, including events in states from Alabama and Alaska to Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia. Because the available material is historical and does not confirm the current event calendar, the program's present status and exact geographic scope require verification through the ADA.

• 2015

  Red Crew volunteer designation introduced

  [1]Tour de Cureen.wikipedia.org

  Volunteers with diabetes began receiving the Red Crew designation and red shirts linked visually to the Red Rider and Red Strider programs.

• 2013

  Fundraising minimum raised to $200

  [1]Tour de Cureen.wikipedia.org

  The reported base fundraising minimum for events nationwide increased from $150 to $200.

• 2008

  Program reaches 78 events

  [1]Tour de Cureen.wikipedia.org

  More than 38,000 cyclists participated in 78 Tour de Cure events, raising nearly $16 million for the ADA mission.

• 2007

  Red Rider Program introduced

  [1]Tour de Cureen.wikipedia.org

  The ADA began recognizing Tour de Cure participants living with diabetes as Red Riders. The program used red jerseys and a peer community to give these riders a distinct presence within the event.

• 2007

  More than $13 million raised

  [1]Tour de Cureen.wikipedia.org

  The Tour de Cure program reportedly raised more than $13 million for diabetes-related work during the year.

An inclusive, community-based cycling and fundraising platform linking recreational riding with diabetes advocacy, donor engagement, and support for the American Diabetes Association.

• Charity cycling event

  Tour de Cure cycling rides

  Locally organized fundraising rides held under the Tour de Cure name. Routes are designed for cyclists with varied abilities and are supported by rest stops, route marshals, mechanical assistance, rider tracking, and support-and-gear transport. Participants raise money for the American Diabetes Association through individual and team fundraising.

• Participant recognition program · 2007

  Red Rider Program

  A program introduced in 2007 to recognize riders living with diabetes. Red Riders receive a red jersey and access to a participant community intended to provide visibility, solidarity, and peer support during Tour de Cure events.

• Volunteer recognition program · 2015

  Red Crew

  A designation for Tour de Cure volunteers with diabetes, reported as being introduced in 2015. Red Crew volunteers were given red shirts featuring a variation of the Red Rider and Red Strider visual identity.

• 2015Red Crew

  United States

  An extension of the red-identification concept to volunteers with diabetes.

  Outcome. Diabetes-affiliated volunteers were identified as Red Crew and provided red shirts linked to the event's diabetes advocacy identity.

  Source
• 2007Red Rider Program

  United States

  A diabetes-participant engagement initiative created to recognize riders living with diabetes through red jerseys and a dedicated community.

  Outcome. The program established a visible identity for riders directly affected by diabetes within the wider cycling and fundraising event.

  Source
• National Tour de Cure fundraising program

  United States

  A nationwide community fundraising campaign using cycling events, individual donations, corporate teams, and volunteer participation to support the American Diabetes Association.

  Outcome. Historical reference material reports more than $13 million raised in 2007 and nearly $16 million raised in 2008.

  Source

• 2013

  Increase in base fundraising minimumPrice change

  Background

  Tour de Cure used participant fundraising requirements as part of its event model. The reported nationwide base minimum had previously been $150.

  Action taken

  The base fundraising minimum was increased to $200.

  Aftermath

  The available reference does not provide enrollment, retention, or fundraising results following the change.

  Source

1. 1Tour de Cureen.wikipedia.org
2. 2American Diabetes Association Tour de Curediabetes.org