Editor's note: You can still sign up and ride the inaugural Tour de Cure tomorrow (Saturday, May 14) in Woodland Park. Cost is $200 (the minimum) per rider.

Directions to Meadow Wood Sports Complex
Take US-24 toward Woodland Park.
Turn North at CO-67 N.
Turn left at Evergreen Heights.
Destination will be on the right 0.8 mi.

Check in and start times
86-Mile
6 a.m. – Check In Opens
7 a.m. – Start
Route markings will be ORANGE
50-Mile
7 a.m. – Check In Opens
8 a.m. – Start 
Route markings will be BLUE
Mountain Bike
9 a.m. – Check In Opens
10 a.m. – Start 
Route markings will be YELLOW
14-Mile Family Route
10 a.m. – Check In Opens
11 a.m. – Start
Route markings will be RED

Kelly Jackson, Associate Director for the Tour de Cure, doesn't have diabetes, but she watched her grandparents struggle and die from the effects of the disease. And so it's no surprise that she and a committee of 33 area residents have taken the lead to bring the inaugural Southern Colorado Tour de Cure, a non-competitive cycling event, to Woodland Park on May 14. The Tour de Cure, which has staged events in Longmont over the past five years, serves to raise funds for the American Diabetes Association. Organizers recognized the Pikes Peak Region's large and active cycling community and made the decision to launch the new event. Jackson was happy to answer a few questions for us.

Give us a rundown on the plans for the day of the ride.
Tour de Cure is not only a fantastic and well-supported ride for all abilities but it is a day for us to celebrate all people living with and affected by diabetes. Our 86-mile, very challenging route will take off at 7 a.m., followed by our 50-mile route at 8 a.m. The Mountain Bike Route starts at 10 a.m. and our Family 14-mile route begins at 11. Starting at noon, we will kick off the celebration with live music, food from Borriello Brothers, a Health and Wellness Village filled with booths from our sponsors. All routes and the celebration will close at 4 p.m.
Click here for a map of the 86-mile route ** Map of 50-mile route ** Map of mountain bike route ** Map of 14-mile route ** Register for the Tour de Cure

How did the Tour de Cure come to choose southern Colorado as a ride location?
Southern Colorado has a wealth of riders of all abilities but does not host a major fundraising ride. We have hosted a Tour de Cure in Longmont for the past five years and have a large population from Southern Colorado making the trek. It’s time Southern Colorado has a great event in its own backyard so we expanded and added the Southern Colorado Tour de Cure! We have a Southern Colorado Leadership Board and a committee of 33 to help us make this first year event a huge success.

Tell us about the Red Rider Program.
Our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The Red Riders embody that mission. Five years ago, a rider in the Longmont Tour de Cure approached us. She said she wanted to make sure that every person riding with diabetes could look around and see all other riders that are taking on this cycling challenge with diabetes. And hence, the birth of the Red Rider program. This is the day that someone with diabetes can come out and know they are not alone. A Red Rider feels the support of this organization and the support of his or her fellow Red Riders and can show everyone that he or she is not only can ride with diabetes but THRIVE with diabetes. Someone that is riding with diabetes will receive a Red Rider jersey by raising the minimum $200 and coming to the event. Red Riders receive the jersey, a special tent and goodies, and recognition as you cross the finish line with the constant supportive yell “GO RED RIDER!”

Why is this cause so important to you?
This question always makes me cry. I started with this cause after losing two grandparents within one year from the complications of diabetes. If I had known then what I know now, I feel I could have made a difference in that situation. I am now watching a father-in-law and an uncle fight Type Two diabetes and it is a constant battle to keep their eyesight, fight infections, and keep stable blood sugars which affect all aspects of health including mental health and memory. I am starting my third year with this event and this cause is important to me because of everyone I meet every day. A committee that works tirelessly to make this day so wonderful, the Red Rider who is attending the event for the first time and realizes that they are not alone, the  kids of parents who are struggling and this is their way of supporting them, the parents of kids who have been recently diagnosed and are giving their babies up to 30 shots a week. And the kids who are absolutely thriving with this disease, doing things that kids with Type One 40 years ago would never have dreamed of doing.

What else should area cyclists know about this event?
Southern Colorado Tour de Cure is a one-of-a-kind event. From the support along the route to the party following the rides, it is a day you will never forget and a community that you will become part of.