The 2023 JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes season is upon us, and we are so excited for the momentum we have coming into this year! On the heals of the 2022 Rides where Team Wisconsin was the #1 fundraising chapter in the country, we are looking to continue to grow not only the number of riders we have joining us but also the critical funds raised for cures for type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Learn more and join Team Wisconsin by registering today!

JDRF Ride is for all cyclists — beginner or experienced — who share a commitment to JDRF’s mission. Your registration is your doorway into a ride experience unlike any other. With our stunning destination rides across the country, you’ll have the chance to join fellow riders for an unforgettable weekend experience. And, no matter how far you go, you’ll be surrounded by the T1D community—fellow riders, coaches, friends and family, cheering you on at every milestone.

This year the Ride will take us to 5 destination events:

• Burlington, VT – July 27-30
• La Crosse, WI – August 10-30
• Grand Rapids, MI – September 7-10
• Death Valley, CA – October 12-15
• Amelia Island, FL – November 30-December 3

Or, if you prefer or it fits better in your schedule, you can participate in My Ride. JDRF My Ride allows you to participate in your own way: indoors on a trainer, outdoors on your bike, with friends or at an event near you. You choose your course and set your own goals.

Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing stories of riders from our team and why they ride! This month, we are highlighting a set of new riders joining us from the Madison market – Madeline Erce, Lerin Hendrickson and Shawn Flom.

Madeline serves on our Madison market’s Community Board of Directors and is participating in her FIRST JDRF Ride in La Crosse this season! Here’s what she says about why she rides:

“I’m doing the JDRF Ride in honor of my younger brother, Anton. He was first diagnosed with T1D in third grade. Now, he just celebrated his 23rd birthday (see the photo with my amateur cake decorating skills – the cake is supposed to be Raichu, a Pokemon). He just started a new job and is thriving as a mechanical engineer. I truly believe he is the poster child for “I have T1D, but T1D doesn’t have me.” That motto has been strongly instilled by our parents. Growing up, there wasn’t a single thing they told him he couldn’t do. He was never sidelined from sports, he was never told he couldn’t have an extra dessert, and he was certainly never told his diabetes would hold him back from anything. Years later, I am proud of the person he’s become. I will be riding 100 miles for Anton. I’ll be thinking of you, Anton, when the miles get tough!”

Madeline has also recruited friends, Lerin and husband Shawn to join her on this adventure!

Lerin says:

“To start, thank you Madeline Erce, one of my greatest friends who has recruited me for this challenge. She’s on the local JDRF board and you are lucky to have this woman fighting for you! The fundraising for Ride can be daunting and the 100 mile ride is intimidating but when you asked me I immediately said yes and recruited my husband Shawn Flom to join us. I’ve hit some amazing personal goals over the past few years, like losing 130lbs and maintaining, and am looking forward to this challenge.”

With the JDRF Ride, you choose your fundraising package with associated benefits for Ride weekend and begin to tell your T1D story to achieve your goals. As first a first time Rider, meeting those goals can be intimidating but you’ll be surprised at how supportive your family, friends, colleagues and extended networks can be in this journey and to support T1D research!

• JDRF Ride Experience – $2,000 – Includes t-shirt, jersey, finish line medal, cycling coaching, fundraising support, and weekend meals & programming.
• JDRF Ride Experience + Lodging – $4,000 – All above benefits, plus lodging Thursday – Sunday.
• JDRF Ride Experience + Lodging, Airfare & Bike Shipping – $6,000 – All above plus your travel and shipment of bike to and from destination.

By the way, Lerin and Shawn have both exceeded their fundraising commitments less than 1 month into the season!

We hope you will join us for the 2023 JDRF Ride season! For more information, please contact Erin Vella at evella@jdrf.org or 414.861.2646.