Epic Road Ride in Fayetteville Oct. 18

Banded Suffering is an epic road ride benefiting JDRF, an organization working to cure type 1 diabetes, and it takes place this Saturday, Oct. 18 in Fayetteville. The event is for every level of cyclist with its two different family-friendly rides of six and 12 miles and other route distances spanning 20 miles to 100 miles. Fall is a great time of year to ride these beautiful routes in northwest Arkansas, so sign up now.

The rides are fully supported with rest stops, sag vehicles, and nutritional snacks to keep you fueled. Before the start of the event, Little Bread Co. will provide delicious breakfast pastries and Jammin Java will serve gourmet coffee. Post event, Cowbells.com will provide cowbells for kids to decorate. Apple Blossom Brewing Company will provide samples of beer.

Choose the route that best fits you or you and your family or friends – 6 miles, 12 miles, 20 miles, 50 miles, Metric Century, 90 miles and Full Century. Family-friendly routes stay on Fayetteville bike trails and start at 10 a.m. Routes 20-plus miles begin at 9 a.m. The longer road routes are designed for all levels of cyclists, including recreational and competitive, and traverse the breathtaking countryside of northwest Arkansas.

Parking for the event is at the Regions Bank parking lot located just west of the start/finish location by the NWA Pediatric Dental Clinic. All riders must wear a helmet.

Register and ride to receive an event t-shirt. One hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to NWA JDRF branch. Register online or on-site starting at 7:30 a.m. Checks, cash, and credit cards are accepted.

Presented by Phat Tire Bike Shop, Banded Suffering is designed to bring awareness to type 1 diabetes, while raising money to help fund research for a cure. Organizers say they started the event because one of their competitive junior cyclists, Austin Dixon, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a little over four years ago. “He joined our cycling team a year ago and ever since then we have watched him battle his disease while on the bike, but it he has never let it stop him. He faces his disease head on. Has made it his mission to bring awareness to this misunderstood disease and change the face of the type 1 diabetes. There might be days he ‘suffers’ on the bike, yet he pushes through it and never lets type 1 stop him from doing anything. He wants to inspire others around him, while showing fellow type 1 diabetics anything is possible,” according to the website. “In honor and support of him and his mission, we have created Banded Suffering to help change diabetes.”

So, who’s ready to band together and support JDRF through a great bike ride?

(Here’s a video of Mud Creek Trail, which is part of the family-friendly rides.)