Meet  your La Crosse Riders – 13 strong* + one amazing coach!

Sunnie Devidas – Second JDRF Ride

What’s your connection to type one?
My 10 year old son, Varun, has had T1D since he was six.

Why did you decide to ride for JDRF?
What could be a better way to get fit, meet amazing people and ride at great locations while raising funds to find a cure for T1D?!

How many years (roughly) have you been riding?
Since riding as a teenager (a million years ago), I began riding again in April 2013 to prepare for last year’s Tucson ride.

What are you most looking forward to about the Ride to Cure Diabetes?
Meeting and hearing from fellow riders from all over the country.

What’s your favorite post-ride treat/snack/meal?
I crave protein. It’s usually eggs or chicken.

If you could Ride anywhere other than La Crosse, where would it be?
I rode in Tucson last year. I’d like to ride at Lake Tahoe or Death Valley next. Or Atlanta – why don’t we start a JDRF ride here?!

Michael Howell – Veteran JDRF Rider
(pictured here with wife Anne in 2013)

What’s your connection to type one?
Type 1 Diabetic

Why did you decide to ride for JDRF?
I initially rode to support a friend with Type 1 but since being diagnosed myself, I now ride for my friend, for myself and for the millions of others out there with Type 1

How many years (roughly) have you been riding?
9 years

What are you most looking forward to about the Ride to Cure Diabetes?
Friendship and fellowship with the other riders

What’s your favorite post-ride treat/snack/meal?
Chocolate Milk

If you could Ride anywhere other than La Crosse, where would it be?
Lake Tahoe is next up on my JDRF ride venue to do list.

Barry Falcon – Veteran JDRF Rider

What’s your connection to type one?
My son Michael was diagnosed 12 years ago on Father’s Day
Why did you decide to ride for JDRF?
Raise funds for research to turn Type 1 into Type None! In addition, a great group of people

How many years (roughly) have you been riding?
Did my first Ride to Cure in Monterey, CA in 2004. La Crosse will be my 31st Ride to Cure!

What are you most looking forward to about the Ride to Cure Diabetes?
Knowing that I’m making a difference along with a personal challenge

What’s your favorite post-ride treat/snack/meal?
Fresh Fruit!

If you could Ride anywhere other than Burlington, where would it be?
If you mean Ride to Cure Locations, any of them will do. Just want nice weather. Riding across the USA is on my bucket list!

The Gardy/Poindexter Family

Eliott Gardy – Second JDRF Ride

What’s your connection to type one?
I am 14 and I was diagnosed in November 2012

Why did you decide to ride for JDRF?
It was one of Mom’s crazy ideas – about 60 days after I was diagnosed, she came home from work and said, “Hey, I signed us up to do 100 miles in Tucson for the JDRF. We can raise money and awareness. Ok?” Like we did with her many other ideas such as “let’s sell everything, buy a boat and sail around the world for a year”, or “let’s buy a farm and grow our own food” – we all just said, “Sure, Mom, sounds great…” Except this time, she wasn’t kidding! We got bikes, and all the gear, and started training every weekend. She held a huge fundraiser, and we raised about $15,000 the first year and are on track to do that again this year.

How many years (roughly) have you been riding?
I learned to ride a bicycle at around age 5 or 6, without training wheels, My first ride of over 50 miles was last summer as we were training for Tucson.

What are you most looking forward to about the Ride to Cure Diabetes?
Seeing Wisconsin for the first time, and riding with the team from Georgia.

What’s your favorite post-ride treat/snack/meal?
Uncrustables, the delicious pre-packaged crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

If you could Ride anywhere other than La Crosse, where would it be?
Tucson, because last year the conditions were terrible, and I feel like I need to show that course who is boss!

Rebecca Gardy – Second JDRF Ride
(pictured above)

What’s your connection to type one?
My son, Eliott was diagnosed in November 2012.

Why did you decide to ride for JDRF?
I have often said that I am so grateful that Eliott has everything he needs to manage his Type 1 diabetes. He has the support of his family, and friends, great clinicians and counselors at school, access to great healthcare and supplies. It would be so easy for me to just “go heads down” and take care of my own child, but the truth is I simply cannot. There are people being diagnosed every day with this disease, facing the uncertainty and the complications of this disease. I am compelled to the core of my being to do everything I can to raise awareness, raise funding, support researchers, with the hope that one day Eliott will sleep through the night without worrying about his blood sugar going too low, that one day he can just dig into a meal without first doing a math equation, that one day he prick his already calloused fingers for the very last time. I am hopeful. I am committed. I ride.

How many years (roughly) have you been riding?
Good question. I did my first “serious” ride last March/April maybe. It was 14.62 miles (yes, I remember because I took a picture!). I thought I was going to die. I’ve come a long way!

What are you most looking forward to about the Ride to Cure Diabetes?
Crossing the finish line and completing my first century with the GA team!

What’s your favorite post-ride treat/snack/meal?
Smuckers crust-less PB&J sandwiches! Must be the grape jelly kind though.

If you could Ride anywhere other than La Crosse, where would it be?
Tuscany, Italy. Although, honestly, I want to a do-over in Tucson someday.

Scott Poindexter – Second JDRF Ride
(pictured above)

What’s your connection to type one?
My step-son was diagnosed with type 1 in Nov 2012.

Why did you decide to ride for JDRF?
I ride to demonstrate my support and admiration for my step-son. I am hopeful there will be a cure well within his lifetime. It is also important for me to let him know he is not in this alone. I am with him every step of the way (or…spin of the wheel).

How many years (roughly) have you been riding?
47 years overall and 2 years with JDRF

What are you most looking forward to about the Ride to Cure Diabetes?
I particularly enjoy the interaction with other families that understand and support Eliott and understand how the disease impacts the whole family.

What’s your favorite post-ride treat/snack/meal?
Cashews / Steak

If you could Ride anywhere other than La Crosse, where would it be?
Tucson so I could say I conquered that course. Last year, I had to cut it short last year due to the weather. It was brutal.

Kathy Sener and Steve Forrester – First JDRF Rides
pictured with Coach Mark Gilliam – in his second coaching season with JDRF

Kathy Sener – First JDRF Ride

What’s your connection to type one?
I am a Type 1 diabetic and have been one for 50 years at the end of the year.  I was young when diagnosed and glad that we do not have to boil syringes today as a means to inject insulin.

Why did you decide to ride for JDRF?
I have been involved with JDRF walks, on the board, and participated in the gala events off and on for several years.  Riding a bike and doing this with JDRF has been on my mind and vision board for several years.  Besides a bike on my board, were the words, Adventure, Health, and Money strips.  So here I am fulfilling a part of the Vision for 2014.

How many years (roughly) have you been riding?
-0-  Exactly!  My riding experience is rolling along on a bike when I was young and 1 ride on the Greenway Beltway for 6 miles, which I was so sore, 3 years ago, and I had not been on a bike since.  Now I have a road bike and with the help of JDRF Coach Mark, have accomplished more than I could ever imagine.  Just being able to talk about it is accomplishment for me.

What are you most looking forward to about the Ride to Cure Diabetes?
The Synergy, The People, The Full Out Concierge Type Service of an Outing with JDRF, The saying I accomplished a goal of this magnitude and The Cure that the funds raised should bring.

What’s your favorite post-ride treat/snack/meal?
After training rides – Steve taking me out for an Egg Harbor Breakfast/Lunch; and after the La Crosse ride, It will be water followed by a cold glass of champagne (off-site)!

If you could Ride anywhere other than La Crosse, where would it be?
Death Valley.  Sounds good and would be a major accomplishment.

 Steve Forrester – First JDRF Ride
(pictured above)

What’s your connection to type one?
My best friend & girlfriend, Kathy Sener

Why did you decide to ride for JDRF?
Because Kathy really wanted to do this and I wanted to support her and the cause

How many years (roughly) have you been riding?
60 years from a tricycle to one century ride

What are you most looking forward to about the Ride to Cure Diabetes?
The excitement of all the people working for a common cause

What’s your favorite post-ride treat/snack/meal?
A cold beer

If you could Ride anywhere other than LaCrosse, where would it be?
Death Valley

 Michael Sciacchetano – First JDRF Ride

What’s your connection to type one?
My daughter Mia was diagnosed June 2012 at the age of 10.

Why did you decide to ride for JDRF?
I’m really impressed with the organizers of this event and I’ve enjoyed meeting the other riders. I felt that this was a way I could contribute.

How many years (roughly) have you been riding?
Just started riding again. Its been over 3 years since my last ride.

What are you most looking forward to about the Ride to Cure Diabetes?
Just looking to make a small contribution to this enormous fight to help Mia and millions like her.

What’s your favorite post-ride treat/snack/meal?
Pickle juice… Hate those cramps!!

If you could Ride anywhere other than La Crosse, where would it be?
Maine would be great!

Scott Cohen – First JDRF Ride

Why did you decide to ride for JDRF?
I’m riding for the coolest 12 year old I know, Mia S.  Having struggled with adult family members who have had complications with Type 2 diabetes, I can only imagine the hurdles she’ll have to climb.  As a new rider, I’m trying show like any other journey, it all starts with one step (or in this case with one stroke of the pedal).  Its about being prepared and taking the steps to make sure you can get to the goal safely..despite how absurd or inconvenient the solution (I found pickle juice was a big help to have during the rides).   Riding this ride is is my way of saying to her and others in her shoes, “she’s not alone” and were here if you ever need help.  the companionship of others riders and the encouragement to meet the 100 mile goal.  Thanks to all who have helped with the encouragement and donations and helping make Type 1 into Type none.

How many years (roughly) have you been riding?
Less than 4 months

What are you most looking forward to about the Ride to Cure Diabetes?
The companionship of others riders and the encouragement to meet the 100 mile goal

 

 * not all pictured *