In 2016, chapter members Jane and Phil Keller joined our New Jersey Metro & Rockland County Chapter ride team, registering to ride at Burlington, VT. This would be the second year that this father-daughter duo committed to Breakthrough T1D Ride to Cure Diabetes. Jane and Phil were determined to ride for a cure — for Jane and everyone else living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

It is difficult to put into words how much the Breakthrough T1D Ride experience means to us. Last July in Burlington, we did our second Breakthrough T1D Ride together as a father-daughter team. This year, we had the extra challenge of stormy weather. But the torrential downpours just added to the epic success of the weekend. To have a chance to be a part of this incredible community, working together and riding together to help bring an end to T1D … what’s a little rain compared to all that?

Some favorite moments from Burlington: Waking up to see the night’s rain had stopped, racing with Coach Terri to try to get to Vergennes on time, waiting out a thunderstorm in a van in Ferrisburgh, finishing strong back in Burlington, celebrating afterward with mighty Team NJ Metro & Rockland County, and of course, seeing Jane win the Best Young Rider jersey!

But the actual ride weekend is only part of the story. The hours and miles spent riding together to prepare, the support and friendship of teammates, family and friends, and the satisfaction of working hard to meet the challenge are just as important. Now we are preparing for our 2017 ride, training together for one more season before Jane heads off to college. We would love to see you out on the road with us and joining us in the Ride to Cure Diabetes!

— Jane and Phil Keller

This year, the Kellers will be riding for a cure in Saratoga Springs, NY. Learn more and register at ride.jdrf.org.