(BPT) - The American Diabetes Association is challenging bicycle riders to be part of the movement to Stop Diabetes(R) by participating in the annual Tour de Cure(R), a cycling event to raise funds to help fight diabetes. Tour de Cure is a fun way to get out with your family, friends or co-workers and has routes designed for all riders - from 5-mile family rides to 100-mile century rides. It is a ride, not a race, so participants are encouraged to go at their own pace.

If you have diabetes, you can join the Red Riders. This special program recognizes riders who have diabetes the day of the ride with a red jersey. During the Tour, participants call out "Go Red Rider" to encourage and celebrate the Red Riders who are fighting to manage their diabetes and live a healthier life. 

"The Red Rider program is a great way for those with diabetes to gather the strength, courage and motivation to live well all the other days of the year when we aren't riding in Tour de Cure," says Mari Ruddy, founder of the Red Rider program. Ruddy has lived with diabetes for more than 31 years and is the director of TeamWILD Athletics: We Inspire Life with Diabetes, which provides eTraining programs and a fitness training camp for people with diabetes looking to use endurance walking, running, triathlons and cycling to improve their health.