Welcome

Chad

Chad was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes in 1974, at the age of 23 months. He has been an avid biker since he was just a little guy. His cycling career started with BMX racing and evolved to include mountain bikes; downhill, dual slalom, cross country and eventually single speed. When not dodging rocks and trees in the woods - he is in training for the Ride to Cure Diabetes. Chad (a type 1 rider) has completed 25 Rides to Cure Diabetes; including the Death Valley venue (13 times), Killington Vt, Tucson Az, LaCrosse Wi (3 times), Burlington Vt, Amelia Island Fl (x2), Saratoga Springs NY (3 times), and the JDRF MyRide (2020 and 2021). Chad passed away on December 4th, 2021 due to complications associated with 48 years of T1D ~ Type One Diabetes. We ride in his honor!

Melissa

Melissa volunteered at the top of Jubilee Pass which is the turnaround point for the 2010 DV Ride to Cure Diabetes. In 2011 she participated as a rider in Death Valley and since then has completed 13 Rides at four locations; Death Valley Ca, Tucson Az, La Crosse Wi, Amelia Island Fl., Saratoga Springs NY, and a 100 mile MyRide in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 Pandemic. She has successfully faced the challenges that Type One Rider's need to overcome in managing their blood glucose levels during long endurance cycling events... and has done so with a smile on her face at all times - as she encourages other riders to do the same. At the 2016 Amelia Island Ride. Melissa was selected to receive the JDRF Spirit Jersey for exemplifying the "Spirit" of the ride. She also serves on the Hudson Valley JDRF One Walk committee.

Donna (Mom)

Donna is a co-founder of Ulster County JDF (1975). In addition to being on the Hudson Valley JDRF ONE WALK committee she has been an ardent supporter of the ride since the days when the team was just known as "Chad and Dad". She has been volunteering at JDRF Rides for 8 years by providing support at checkpoints in Death Valley as well as La Crosse, Tucson and Amelia Island. Volunteers at checkpoints provide assistance with nutrition and first aid while dealing with extreme weather conditions. She has been knitting her fingers to the bone creating scarves to be sold at events such as our Pancake Breakfasts Fundraisers... where by the way she is flipping pancakes to feed the throngs of hungry JDRF supporters who arrive to support our efforts. Without her support and encouragement, our family team would not be able to accomplish what it has - and hopes to be able to continue to do.

Charlie (Dad)

Dad converted to cycling in 2002 to ride with Chad as "Team Chad and Dad" at Death Valley. He fell in love with the event and the passion of that all the riders have for this cause. He has completed 27 Rides to Cure Diabetes... including the Death Valley venue (13 times) and Killington Vt, Tucson Az, LaCrosse Wi (4 times), Burlington Vt, Amelia Island Fl(2 times), Saratoga Springs NY (4 times) and the 2020 & 2021 MyRide during the COVID-19 Pandemic. At the 2015 La Crosse Ride, he was honored by being given the event's "Promise" Jersey. In 2016, he became a certified USAC Cycling Coach in order to provied support for chapter training rides and assisting riders the day of the events. He has coached at Burlington, Amelia Island, La Crosse and Satatoga Springs and Death Valley.