La Crosse ride raises over one million for diabetes research - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - About 450 cyclists hit the road at Riverside Park today with the goal of raising money to combat juvenile diabetes.

It was the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund's "Ride to Cure" in La Crosse.

The route runs 100 miles in a loop along the Mississippi River.

Bikers had to raise $2000 if they wanted to participate, although some said they raised more.

This year's ride alone has raised over $1 million for the organization, with the hope being that each dollar brings that cure for type 1 diabetes a little closer.

"It means the world. It means an extended lifetime. It means someday not having to test their blood sugars eight or ten times a day, not having to inject themselves with insulin every time they eat, or every time their blood sugar is running a little bit high," said JDRF International Board Member Patrick McFeeley.

JDRF does five rides nationally each year.

The La Crosse ride is considered one of the two most popular, boasting one of the largest turnouts next to one in Death Valley.

"It's just a beautiful environment for a ride," McFeeley said. "It's gorgeous to ride along the Mississippi River. The people in La Crosse are great. And a lot of people from the Midwest come to this ride because it's such a great place to ride and a great community."