October 3 to 6, 2019, was an exciting time for our Greater Delaware Valley Ride team that attended the JDRF Amelia Island Ride to Cure—but it was an extra special moment for one of our South Jersey riders, Felix Navarro. Felix participated in his third Ride to Cure event this year with his son, Felix Jr. (Poppop).

Felix was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) 37 years ago when he was a 13-year-old living in Puerto Rico. For his third ride, he wanted Poppop to be able to experience it with him. Poppop is in a wheelchair, so the only way for him to participate was for Felix to push Poppop in an adaptive bike attached to the front of his own.

“It was extraordinary to have him with me on the ride, so he could understand why I ride several days a week to get faster and stronger on my ride,” Felix recounts. “He knows that by riding my bike, the exercise is very good for my sugar level control.” Poppop likes the wind on his face and said it felt like a roller coaster ride—everything was going by so fast.

Felix had two special moments throughout the ride.

“The first one was going out with my son and returning back with him and seeing how happy he was and watching that smile of his when the wind hit his face,” Felix recalls. “My second favorite part of the ride was when I was able to assist a coach on the ride by taking the lead for several miles. We stayed together and encouraged each other until the end of the event.”

Felix has long been an enthusiastic rider with our South Jersey group, attending training rides and other JDRF events to promote the Ride to Cure. This dedication, coupled with the heartwarming father-son cycling story, caught the attention of those participating during Ride weekend in Amelia Island. This led to both Felix and his son receiving the coveted Spirit Jersey. This jersey is presented to the individual who personifies the “spirit of the ride”—not just on Ride Day but throughout the entire journey.

We at the JDRF Greater Delaware Valley Chapter could not think of a better individual to receive such an honor, and we are so proud of Felix and Poppop.

Felix shares, “It was just such an unexpected honor that it really meant a lot to us.”