Ride season is upon us once again! On January 18 you can sign up for our 2017 Rides! Have you ever contemplated being a part of this experience but had hesitations to sign up? You aren’t the only one! Every year we have new riders that take the leap to help support JDRF and we hope you will be next! We talked to first time rider Brian Hansen, who just finished up with his rookie year in the program. Brian had friends who were already riders that encouraged him to join. Check out what he had to say!

JDRF: Seeing you don’t have a person connection to T1D what made you sign up for the Ride?

Brian: “When I initially signed up I had no personal connection to Type 1 diabetes just a few friends who were involved with the ride program. I signed up because the ride sounded like a fun goal to train for. The opportunity to spend more time with friends while involved in a fitness activity that raised money for a great cause seemed like a win-win-win situation.”

JDRF: Tell us about your Ride Day Experience.

Brian: “Where do I even start with experience on Ride Day? Let’s back up a little and talk about the whole weekend in La Crosse. Before ride weekend my biggest connection with JDRF was training rides with both NE and Western Wisconsin teams. Over the course of ride weekend I was able to meet so many new people from all over the country and learn more about their own personal stories. I was inspired by the presentation given by Brian Herrick, JDRF National Staff Member, and learning about the advances in artificial pancreas technology. Ride day came along and what an EPIC experience! We were up early to get ready and leave for a beautiful ride along the Mississippi river all day. I was nervous about the distance of the ride because my longest ride prior was about 80 miles but the hard preparation had paid off. As the miles ticked by I became more comfortable and what a great experience riding with a team made up of T1D’s, very strong junior riders, 1^st time riders, veterans and great coaches! It was by no means easy but we worked together as a team and everyone finished safely.”

JDRF: So immediately following the La Crosse Ride in August you signed up for a 2nd Ride in Death Valley in October. Tell us what inspired you to take on the additional training and fundraising for JDRF?

Brian: “It was a combination of the whole season training with the Northeast Wisconsin team and an amazing experience on ride weekend. When I started this season I didn’t have a personal connection with Type 1 but over the course of the year with the friendships I have made this fight is now a personal one for me. I was nervous about doing the 100 miles before La Crosse but after a great ride I started thinking more about committing to raise more yet this year. I knew there was a good group already committed for Death Valley so I committed that evening to raise more for another ride.”

JDRF: Is there anything you recommend or say to a person who might be thinking about doing a JDRF ride?

Brian: “Don’t think about it! Just do it! From someone who had little experience with cycling and fundraising it has become something I am very passionate about. Everyone I know who has become involved in the program has had an amazing experience! I can’t wait to ride with you this year!”

Take the leap in 2017 and join us for a JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes. For more information, check out the rides website HERE. For more information contact Dana Paschen at dpaschen@jdrf.org or at 920-997-0038.