The JDRF Ride isn’t just about cycling—it’s a global community with an ongoing commitment to find a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D). No matter where you live, how you choose to ride or how far you go, you’ll be surrounded by the T1D community—fellow riders, coaches, friends and family, cheering you on at every milestone. JDRF Ride is for all cyclists – beginner or experienced – who share a commitment to JDRF’s mission. Throughout the season, we’ll offer a variety of ways for you to engage with the JDRF community. Register to join Team Wisconsin in 2023!

Team Wisconsin is excited to introduce our 2023 JDRF Ride to Cure Coaches! Coaches organize and lead group rides designed to prepare you to meet your fundraising-focused cycling goals. They will offer local team riding opportunities in a safe, fun and well-coordinated manner that are respectful to all levels of cyclists during the season to empower your fundraising towards JDRF mission.

If you have any questions about registering or joining us this season please feel to reach out directly to one of our Ride Coaches, or our JDRF Staff- Erin Vella, evella@jdrf.org or 414.861.2646.

Joe Brady – Madison Market  – Joe has been T1D since 1981, has participated in 25+ JDRF Rides and this is his 17th year as a Coach. He has a keen interest in helping fellow T1D’s manage blood glucose effectively through exercise & enjoys helping new riders develop an appreciation for JDRF and a love of cycling. Full Bio.

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Coons– Appleton Market – Peter has done 20+ rides & has been a Ride Coach just as long, dating back to 2003. He is known as the “draft master and teacher” and enjoys seeing the program keep building and the special relationships that are created, making every year a new adventure. “Everyone who has done a JDRF ride tells you how amazing they feel and what joy something as simple as riding a bike can be! Full bio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike Crowley – Milwaukee Market – Mike has been involved with JDRF since 2000 when his son Andy was diagnosed with T1D at 2 years old. He has done 22 JDRF Rides and is in his 6th year of being a Ride Coach. He enjoys all the special moments, awesome ride experiences and the sense of tremendous accomplishment in fundraising, cycling, helping others achieve their goals and goosebump moments. Full bio.

 

 

 

 

Kathy Errthum – La Crosse Market – Kathy has been involved with JDRF since her daughter, Gwen, was diagnosed in 2007 – participating in JDRF One Walk and other small gatherings. Her pathway to rider and then Ride Coach is pretty cool! While out for a morning run in her hometown of La Crosse, she heard crazy whoops and hollers coming from around the corner. Turns out those were from the JDRF Riders at the start line of the first Ride in La Crosse! The rest is history. Full bio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Errthum– La Crosse Market – Tony was recruited by his wife Kathy who is also a Ride Coach. He was a rider for the first two years and was then motivated to lead and help new riders achieve their goals. He enjoys the rewarding privilege it is to train and ride with so many amazing and wonderful people who have become like family. Full bio.

 

 

John Hein – Appleton Market – John began supporting JDRF after his best friend’s son Noah was diagnosed and now JDRF is part of his family’s culture. His goals for the 2023 season is to support our team as a rider and a coach. Always be aware of where his orange helmet is! Full bio.

 

 

 

 

 

Scott Liesch – Milwaukee Market – Scott has been involved with JDRF since his daughter, Jaden, was diagnosed when she was 2 years old. He has done over 20 JDRF Rides and started as a Ride Coach in 2013. Full bio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corinne Merten – Milwaukee Market – Corinne and her family have been hooked on JDRF from their very first Rufus Bear when her daughter Grace was diagnosed and continued when her other children, Jacob and Brayden, were also diagnosed. Her brother and fiancé’s (Coach Doug) daughters are also T1D so her connections to mission run deep. She is a trained JDRF public speaker and is on the Board of Directors. She is honored to give back to all riders in her first year as a coach! Full Bio.

 

 

 

Scott Meyer – Madison Market – Scott got involved with JDRF when his daughter Olivia was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 4. His family was immediately embraced by the T1D community and they are all in! Full bio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dan Mulloly – Appleton Market – Dan is T1D himself and has many friends and family members that are diagnosed, as well. He has done 9 rides and this is his 5th year as a Ride Coach. He got involved when fellow Ride Leader Pete was selling him his first pair of cycling shoes. Pete mentioned he was a leader for a JDRF cycling team. They talked and the rest is history. In these times we are not in-person he is encouraged by our JDRF Ride family continuing to show it’s about the mission, not the miles and what we are capable of. Nothing will slow down our race for a cure! Full bio.

 

 

 

 

John Niebler – Milwaukee Market – John has been T1D since 1984, has done 23 rides and is in his 7th year as a Ride Coach. He likes helping new riders learn bike skills and T1Ds learn how to manage blood sugars while exercising. Full bio.

 

 

 

 

 

Doug Pulvermacher – Milwaukee Market – Doug’s daughter, Olivia, was diagnosed with T1D in 2013 at the age of 3 and his fiancée (Coach Corinne) also has three T1D children. He has done 6 rides and is looking forward to his first year as a coach to meet you where you are at and assist to achieve your JDRF Ride goals! Full Bio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dave Seitz – Milwaukee/Madison Markets – Dave has done 7 JDRF Rides and is in his 5th year as a Ride Coach. He looks forward to getting back to group rides, seeing everyone again and being of help when you need it! Full bio.

 

 

 

 

 

Kiley Smith – Madison Market – Kiley was diagnosed with T1D in June of 2013. Her cousin was diagnosed seven months earlier and a family friend six months after. After many years of participating in the JDRF One Walk, Kiley and her dad decided to take on the Ride and became hooked – it’s her favorite weekend of the year! She’s looking forward to her first year coaching and helping new riders achieve their goals. Full bio.

 

 

 

 

 

 John Stephens – Madison Market – John has done 7 JDRF Rides since his son, Griffin, was diagnosed at 7 years old. He is on our Board of Directors and is looking forward to helping riders achieve their goals! Fill bio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lesli Rumpf – Madison Market – Leslie joined the JDRF community after years of working with Coach Joe Brady & hearing about the wonderful Ride community. She knew it was time to take on a new challenge and she joined the Ride in 2017. Since she has done 5 Rides. She looks forward to supporting, encouraging and motivating riders to reach their goals. Full bio.

 

 

 

Rhi Thoresen – Appleton Market – Rhi has done 16 JDRF Rides and is in her 3rd year of being a Ride Coach, but 1st in-person! She loves being part of this amazing community, and celebrating all that we can accomplish. She’s proud that Team Wisconsin is known for our camaraderie, support and fun! Full bio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Williams – Madison Market – Kevin has done 11 JDRF Rides and is in his 7th year as a Ride Coach. He is inspired by his son Benjamin and the many individuals, with and without T1D, that he is privileged to know through the Ride program. He is hoping to help out many new riders this year for whatever the season brings! Full bio.

 

 

 

 

Thank you to our amazing Team Wisconsin Ride Coaches for their time, talents and commitment to the JDRF Ride and turning type 1 into type none!