Participates in American Diabetes Association's Kennebunk Tour de Cure 2012.
Team Schochet was an eager participant in the American Diabetes Association's Kennebunks Tour de Cure 2012 bike ride. Along with a hundred or so fellow riders, they set out in record-breaking rainfall that was shutting down roads and flooding basements across the region.
The bikers proved a hardy group, coming out in force despite the soggy conditions to raise money for a disease that affects 25.8 million people, or 8.3 percent of the U.S. population. It was the third year in a row that the popular fundraiser, which was expected to attract up to 800 bikers in dry conditions, took place in the rain.
This year, organizers had to call off the 100-mile portion of the event for safety reasons, but the 100-kilometer, 50-kilometer, 25-kilometer and 5-kilometer rides all went on as scheduled.
Emily Silevinac, associate director of the Kennebunks Tour de Cure, said attendance was down from the expected numbers, but she was impressed by the hundreds who showed up despite the weather. "Diabetes doesn't take a day off," she said.
About 595 bikers had participated by the end of the day, raising $265,000 with no accidents, Silevinac said.
Hundreds of people helped run the event, including volunteers manning support and gear wagons along the routes, bicycle mechanics, medical helpers and motorcycle escorts.
Many of those taking part said they had family members and friends with diabetes and they were not going to let rain get in the way of helping out.