The Tour de Cure is the American Diabetes Association’s premier cycling event. It raises money to fund the mission of the American Diabetes Association: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Tour de Cure takes place nationwide and is a ride, and not a race, that encourages people to dust off their bicycles and join thousands of other riders who are pedaling for a cure.

Local Tour de Cure events are taking place in May and June. Riders are welcome to join any of the scheduled rides:

The North Shore Tour de Cure is May 31 at Gloucester High School at 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road. The ride loops past some of the most beautiful scenery of all New England rides, with vistas of coves, harbors, islands and lighthouses. All routes start and finish at the Gloucester High School and include rolling hills and some challenging road conditions.

The Ocean State Tour de Cure is June 14 at Narragansett Pier Middle School in Rhode Island. The ride cruises past the scenic coastline with its sandy beaches and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Choose a route that fits your ability or challenge yourself with a distance you have never ridden before.

The New England Classic 150 is July 11 – 12 at Chomerics at 77 Dragon Court, Woburn, Mass. The ride will rate as one of the best three-state tours you can imagine. See the backroads and seacoasts of New England as you tour through Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.

The New England Classic 550 is July 11-17 at Chomerics at 77 Dragon Court, Woburn, Mass. The ride is a challenging, fun-filled opportunity to get away from the work-a-day world and spend seven exciting days in the company of a great group of adventurers. While you discover the thrill and satisfaction of your personal accomplishment, you will also discover the beauty of scenic New England. You will pedal along the seacoasts of Maine and New Hampshire and through the countryside of Vermont and Massachusetts.

Greg LeMond, the first American winner of the Tour de France, will once again serve as the Honorary Chairperson for Tour de Cure. As National Honorary Chair, LeMond will urge individuals and families to join Tour de Cure and will be on hand to present the top fundraisers with the Champion for Diabetes Award. Top fundraisers will also qualify to win one of several official LeMond Bicycles donated by the champion himself.

“I am proud to be the Honorary Chairperson for the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure,” said LeMond. “I know how important your health is to accomplishing your goals which is why I support the American Diabetes Association. The Tour de Cure is one powerful way for all of us to become champions in the fight against diabetes and I urge you to join me in riding for a cure.”

The Tour de Cure is the largest diabetes cycling event in the country and is currently held in more than 80 cities nationwide. National sponsors for Tour de Cure include Gold’s Gym, Performance Bicycles, LeMond Fitness, Discovery Health Channel and LeMond Racing Cycles, the official bicycle of the Tour de Cure. For more information about American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-888-DIABETES (342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org/tour.

Diabetes is one of this nation’s most prevalent, debilitating, deadly and costly diseases. Nearly 24 million American children and adults live with diabetes, and another 57 million have pre-diabetes. According to the CDC, one in three Americans and one in two minorities born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime, if current trends continue.

The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information, and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the Association supports affiliate offices in every region of the country.