Interviewee: Christine Walsh Rogers

Occupation: Marketing Executive

Riding style: light exercise; commuting; and leisurely riding

Her ride: A Trek Hybrid commuter/touring bike. "It's an upgrade from a ten-year-old bike I had. I got it after constantly trying to keep up with my husband who rides a light road bike," Rogers said.

On Saturday, May 21, the American Diabetes Association is hosting a Tour de Cure cycling event to raise fund and awareness about diabetes.

Among the cyclists of the Tour de Cure are the Red Riders, people with type 1 or 2 diabetes who are raising awareness and money to stop diabetes by participating in American Diabetes Association-sponsored cycling events across the country.  Sporting noticeable red jerseys, Red Riders will join other cyclist in a ride from Marymoor around Lake Sammamish along a 15, 25, 45, 75 or 100-mile routes.

Last week, I rode with one these Red Riders along the water front to Golden Gardens.

Christine Walsh Rogers was diagnosed in February, 2000 with Type 2 diabetes. Two years later she was also diagnosed with Diabetic Gastroparesis.

"I was kind of surprised because I was the first person in my family that we were aware of that had it," Rogers said. "Later my mom was diagnosed as pre-diabetic so we had some family history we didn't know about."

Rogers is one of nearly 26 million Americans who have diabetes, including more than 400,000 people in Washington state. Like Rogers, an estimated 7 million people are unaware that they have the disease.

Rogers said that with a combination of diet, exercise and medication she's able to keep her diabetes in control without becoming insulin-dependent.

"When I got diagnosed with diabetes I was looking for some sort of exercise I could do with [my husband], who does a lot of bike rides," Rogers said.

"I have never been a strong cyclist like he is but when we moved to Ballard in 2002, I just started riding around town as sort of a productive means to get around - the market, the beach, etc."

Rogers said biking has become her favorite kind of exercise and means of transport. Rogers and her husband even crabs-by-bike, hauling nets and pots down to the dock in a bike trailer.  

She decided to participate in the Tour de Cure last year but got ill.

"My husband has always done a lot of bike rides and I have gone and supported him but I've never ridden. So I decided I wanted to do one that makes sense for me," she said.

This year, Rogers is feeling great and will be participating in the 25-mile route along Samammish.

Rogers recalls how it felt getting back on a bike in 2000, after she hadn't ridden a bike in eight years.

"The first time we rode, we rode from Marymoore to Woodinville and back. I really loved it. It had to do with having a bike that fit me right and that the ride was something I could actually achieve."

Rogers said that having diabetes has made me her a more positive person.

"You really appreciate your health more on the days you feel good because you have days when you don't," she said.

Riding along the water with the smell of saltwater is when she feels best and she tries to encourage other people with diabetes to get out and find a form of exercise they enjoy.

"If you find yourself with some kind of health problem, you have got to try and find a form of exercise you enjoy doing otherwise you won't do it. Biking and walking are two of the most accessible thing for most people," she said.

"I try to encourage other people with diabetes and show them that getting diagnosed with diabetes doesn't mean your life is over. "

Rogers said another reason why she likes biking is because it's something that's easy on the joints and she can sustain for the rest of her life.

"If you haven't tried it for a while, find a bike on which you feel comfortable and ride around Greenlake, ride around Ballard or go to the park and you might just fall in love again," she said.

The Riding Reporter is a feature series in which BNT's bike-riding reporter, Anne-Marije Rook takes interviewees on a short bike ride around town to talk bicycles, transit, and any other issues that may arise when seeing the city from a two-wheeled point of view. Previous interviewees include Mayor Mike McGinn, ultra-cyclist Chris Ragsdale, bike messenger world champion Craig Etheridge, and Chuck Ayer from Cascade Bicycle Club.