Bikers Raising Funds to Combat Diabetes

Dozens of Ventura County motorcyclists are expected to join bikers from across Southern California Sunday in a ride to raise money to battle diabetes.

The second annual Bikers Against Diabetes ride will begin at 10 a.m. at starting points from Ventura to San Diego. The ride ends at Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion in Devore, where participants will take part in a celebration that includes live music.

Locally, 75 riders have registered for the event sponsored by the American Diabetes Assn. Riders will leave at 10 a.m. from The Shop, a motorcycle outlet at 6541 Ventura Blvd. in Ventura.

Shop owner David Hansen said he offered his store as a starting point as a way of honoring family members stricken with the disease, the nation’s seventh leading cause of death.

“It’s something that really hits close to home,” he said. “It’s actually a cause that doesn’t get a whole lot of attention, so I figured this would be a real good thing to do.”

Thousands of Southern California riders are expected to take part. The minimum donation to ride is $30. An additional $20 is required for a second rider.

Proceeds benefit research and educational programs of the diabetes association, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to curing and preventing the disease.

For more information, call the association at (323) 966-2890, ext. 314 or ext. 322.