Ashburn Boy Seeks Bicyclists for Tour de Cure Team

Tour de Cure may sound like the name of a new rock band, but really it’s a chance to make a difference, have some fun, and enjoy the outdoors.

Seventh-grade Farmwell Station Middle student Steven Meree wants to raise money in honor of a friend with diabetes, but needs some help to complete his bicycle-riding team.

Meree, 12, plans to ride 20 miles in the National Capital Tour de Cure June 2, but he needs at least four more bicyclists to join him. Meree has planned a ride from Reston to Vienna along the W&OD Trail.

“My friend Alvin has diabetes, and I’m doing this for him,” Meree said. “He’s my friend, so I want to help him and to help the cause, but I need to have a few more people to form a team.”

He already has a name for the team – Team Jets.

“I like aviation,” he explained.

To prepare for the event, Meree has been taking rides of at least 30 minutes several times a week. He recently took a test ride to Herndon. Riding comes somewhat easy for Meree who has always loved riding his bike.

“It’s the fastest non-motorized transportation, and it is really fun. I love feeling the wind in my hair and the trees around me, and it's good exercise,” he said.

Meree’s mother, Judi Meree, said planning for the ride has really helped her son.

“I’m really impressed by how he took the reins and said he wants to be a team leader … it makes me really proud,” she said.

To join the team, sign up by April 30, which requires a $25 registration fee. Team participants are expected to raise at least $250 each. Contact Meree at mereemom@gmail.com. Also contact Meree to make a donation to the team.

For more information about the National Capital Tour de Cure, visit

http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR?fr_id=8619&pg=entry.