Why I Ride

by Maureen Garelick

Veteran Rider Maureen Garelick tells us why she continues to come back for the Death Valley ride each year.

When I quit playing soccer, I thought I'd start riding my bike more, though I had no ambitions beyond little 5-mile rides. Then, one day, some friends invited me to go riding with them. I rode 33 miles that day, and really enjoyed it. That evening, I get on the phone with my brother Robert, who lives in Boulder, to tell him about it. He tells me, I also rode over 30 miles today. I'm training to do the Ride to Cure Diabetes in Death Valley and I think you should do it with me.

"OK" I said!

Seems kind of innocent, but Rob's son Sam, who I adore, was diagnosed with type 1 at four years old, and I'd do anything for him. I ride primarily for Sam and a cure for Sam and others like him, but there is now an interconnected group of factors that all play into each other. I ride for Sam, but the first year I rode, I lost 20 pounds. I ride to lose weight to ride for Sam. The support I received from my friends and family (and strangers) has been phenomenal and motivates me to keep riding and to keep raising funds for a cure.

The first year I rode I was telling a friend about the ride and a complete stranger standing next to her took $40 out of her pocket and gave it to me. Last year I was at a dinner with people from a cycling club I go to and another stranger wrote me a check for $50! I ride for the people who believe in me for riding for Sam.

I am now pretty addicted to cycling and keep upgrading my bike. But when I'm flagging on the climb to Cherry Creek Reservoir or on the road to Eldorado Canyon, I think about what I'm doing for Sam and his buds, and all the people who believe in me for doing that, and how healthy it helps me be, and it all gives me an extra push.

Ride Dates for 2008:

June 26-29, 2008
Ride to Cure Diabetes
Sonoma, California

August 8-10, 2008
Ride to Cure Diabetes
Asheville, NC

September 11-14, 2008
Ride to Cure Diabetes
Whitefish, Montana

October 16-19, 2008
Ride to Cure Diabetes
Death Valley, California