A determined biker pedals toward the finish line.
Thor Thordarson, president/CEO of IU Health LaPorte Hospital, holds his 3-day Challenge Award after competing in multiple events.
Story and photos by Bob Wellinski
(Click on photos to enlarge)
Most people consider the number 13 unlucky. But Maria Fruth says the number has proven to be very lucky this year as the IU Health LaPorte Hospital Foundation held its 13th annual Tour De LaPorte Aug. 22-24, 2014.
This year’s Tour De LaPorte drew some 1,400 participants in the three-day event featuring running, walking and biking, said Fruth, executive vice president/chief operating officer of IU Health LaPorte Hospital Foundation. “Thirteen has proven to be a lucky number. Each year it keeps on getting bigger.”
Preliminary estimates indicate the 2014 event exceeded last year’s record number of participants. People came from several neighboring states, as well as Missouri, Oklahoma, Montana and California.
Donna Riedel, an oncology nurse who lost her son and mother to cancer, and her friends Erin Albright (left) and Shelly McGinty (right) traverse the 25-mile route.
Founded after a suggestion from biking enthusiast Larry Noel 13 years ago to sponsor a family-friendly bike ride to raise funds for local cancer patients, the Tour De LaPorte has evolved into three days of distance cycling, mountain bike and road bike time trials, a trail run, chip-timed running events (5K, 10K and half marathon), a 5k walking event, a mini Tour De LaPorte for kids, and other family-centered activities. Sunday’s distance biking event included pedalists of all ages (and those chauffeured on the back of bikes) making their way across LaPorte County at distances of 5, 15, 25, 40, 60, and 100 miles.
LaPortean John Penziol considered traversing the 100-mile route, but when his son asked if he could join him, John decided to make it a family ride. The Penziol group of seven, including his wife, three children, niece and nephew, ultimately chose the 5-mile route. “The route will give the kids a workout,” said Penziol, who has been riding in the Tour De LaPorte for five years.
Perched on her trailer behind her grandfather’s bike, 6-year-old Lovenna Bates pedaled in synch with her grandpa, Tim, as they shared special time together during the ride. “This is the second year we’ve ridden together,” Tim said. “She’s a special girl.”
For Mark Kosior, the event was a little more grueling. After completing 50 miles last year, Kosior set a goal to do the 100-mile ride. Kosior returned to Cummings Lodge 100 miles later with a smile on his face and the satisfaction of completing his goal. “It feels good now — but wait until later,” he said.
Biking veteran Andrea Fore of Kalamazoo, MI, made the Tour De LaPorte her 10th century ride of the year. While searching the Internet for a 100-mile ride, she found a posting for the Tour De LaPorte and made the journey here with her husband, Don. Andrea’s mom is a two-time cancer survivor, so they look for cancer-related rides. But there’s always time for a treat: As they walked into Cummings Lodge at race’s end, Andrea exclaimed, “Look, there’s cake!”
For many participants, the event is more than just a bike ride. Donna Riedel, coordinator for Michiana Hematology Oncology in Westville and also an oncology nurse, sees the effects cancer has on patients on a daily basis. Riedel has also experienced cancer’s ugliness on a personal level, losing her 21-year-old son, Daniel Hodum, and her mother to cancer. Her mother’s death led her to pursue her career in nursing. Riedel and friends Erin Albright and Shelly McGinty pedaled their way through the 25-mile route under increasing heat and humidity. “If one person can have a success story, then it’s worth it,” Riedel said. “Basically I fight cancer every day with patients. It helps me with my grief by helping others.”
Luck didn’t play a part in the success of the Tour De LaPorte; it was made possible by the hard work of the foundation, hospital staff and nearly 125 volunteers. Door Village United Methodist Church supplied some 20 of those volunteers with fruit and drinks. Volunteer Cathy Dye, president of the New Day Foundation, said the foundation and church work together for the same goal: assisting local cancer patients and their families. The Bike Stop of Michigan City provided emergency bike repairs.
All the money raised from the Tour De LaPorte stays local to assist LaPorte County cancer patients with expenses such as medicines, treatments, wigs, transportation, and more to help ease some of the burden placed on patients and their families.
“Going through cancer is hard enough. We want to help ease their worries,” Fruth said.
The foundation hopes to net $65,000 from this year’s event.
For more information and results of this year’s events, visit www.tourdelaporte.org.
A couple of generations experience the event.
Don and Andrea Fore kiss after completing their ride.
A young rider prepares her gear.
Mark Kosior is photographed by Stacey Kellogg after completing his century ride.
Friends greet before starting the ride.