Oostende, Belgium - She is 10 years old and has diabetes. Because she has this diabetes, she is different from the other 10 year old girls in her school.

Being different can be overwhelming, and 10 is a pretty important age for girls not to be overwhelmed by differences.

The bike races across her part of Belgium are all-encompassing affairs. The whole town watches, schools turn the students out to the side of the roads to cheer, shops open sidewalk drink stands, farmers pile hay bales in their fields and string giant painted banners across them in support of local heroes.

On a sunny Wednesday afternoon she stood with her younger brother and grandpa outside of her town and held a banner in a green field. She cheered, her parents took photographs, and when the peloton passed at 42 kilometers an hour it was never certain which rider from the 120 speeding by was her hero.

Kids and adults alike scamper for jettisoned water bottles after the long race caravan speeds away. In the parking lots at the start they collect hero cards of each rider; post-card sized portraits with short biographies and the sponsors' logos. Autographed originals fetch a higher price in brisk trading.

She has one signed card that she'll never trade, because that rider, Martijn Verschoor, has diabetes, just like her.

Belgian bike races are full-fledged technical operations, fielding three helicopters, four motorcycles, fixed studio cameras in the final kilometers and a curiously suspended rear-facing lens atop an SUV that allows for long and foreshortened views on the straighter roads, so as to better gauge distances between the chasing groups.

The Belgian TV commentators saw her sign - GO Team Type 1! - in bright red letters, captured from one of the helicopters in the March sunshine.

"Team Type 1-Sanofi has a fan club already in Belgium? The riders have raced here just four days this year. They are very active at the front of this chase. This is an American team, with five riders who are suikersiekte. They have a sprinter here today, the Italian Colli, with some chances in this finale," the becalmed Belgian commentator said on live on the air.

Colli finished 5th in the final sprint. He came into the last cobblestoned corner with the help of his teammates, who rode at the head of the peloton to keep him in position.

She cheered for Daniele, and for Martijn, who worked all day shuttling food and water from the team car at the back of the race caravan, at times four kilometers behind the race action.

After the race she came with her parents and little brother to the team hotel to give Martijn a stuffed hippopotamus, with green, blue and pink patches stitched into its soft grey fur. The hippo wore a white t-shirt with "I'm too sweet for you" in black letters on the front, and the Team Type 1 logo on the back.

Her mother said the hippo was something she got right after her diagnosis with diabetes.

"The diabetes association uses these stuffed hippos, created by Barbara Flamand whose own daughter was diagnosed at 8-years-old, to teach kids who just got the disease where they can inject themselves with insulin, where it's safe. Some of the patches are for long-acting, some are for short-acting. She wanted to give this hippo to Martijn ever since we first saw the team at a race in Belgium, back in March," the girl's mother said.

"She was very determined to come to the race today to cheer for Team Type 1, and she made the banner herself. We downloaded the Team Type 1 logo from the internet and she made sure everything was ready before the race started on Tuesday," her mother said.

They took a tour of the team bus, watched the mechanics work through each race bicycle in the parking lot of the Thermae Palace Hotel on the Atlantic sea coast. When the sun fell behind a cloud and the brisk cold air of March began to chill them, her father spoke to the riders she came to meet.

"Her HbA1c most recently was 6.5, because she had a small cold in the last month, and it was hard to keep the diabetes under control," her father said.

She smiled shyly, unsure exactly what he was saying in English, but certain of the gist.

HbA1c is the measure of glycated hemoglobin in the blood stream, an identifier of average plasma glucose concentration over time. Red blood cells survive two or even three months in the bloodstream before renewal, and by measuring HbA1c, an average blood glucose reading can be determined.

For non-diabetics, the usual reading is 4-5.9%. For people with diabetes, an HbA1c level of 6.5% is considered good control.

"That's up from 5.9 the last time," her mother said.

The girl understood the numbers, and beamed proudly. Martijn checked her shoulder and told her Goed zo, Dutch for 'well done'.

Past the age of 13, the HbA1c in most T1D females rises to unsupportable levels because of social pressure. They don't want to take care of their diabetes because they think if they get underneath it and defy it, it will just go away. They don't want to be different.

In a 2004 study by Toronto psychiatrists on metabolic control in adolescent girls with type 1 diabetes, researchers came to the conclusion that "relational aspects of the self and the experience of emotional closeness in relationships are associated with metabolic control in adolescent girls. Efforts to improve metabolic control in girls should include enhancing the self-concept and the experience of relatedness in familial, peer, and patient-caregiver relationships."

In plain terms, she will take better control of her diabetes as part of an enthusiastic, active and energetic diabetes community.

A community like Team Type 1.

Diabetes is a chronic disease of the pancreas, and means the full cessation of normal insulin production and a potentially dangerous condition that can lead to painful complications and possible death. With the right management, good control of the body's blood glucose levels, a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, diabetes can be a normal part of an extraordinary life.

"Diabetes will never go away. Never. You will have it forever. You will need to take care of yourself daily and hourly, every day and every hour for the rest of your life," said Team Type 1-Sanofi CEO and Founder Phil Southerland.

"But that's just the fun part, because then you get to go do anything you want," Southerland said.

"All those things you think you'll never do because you have diabetes? You'll do them, because you have diabetes. All those places you think you'll never see because you have diabetes? You'll see them, because you have diabetes. All those lives you wanted to lead, but thought you couldn't, because you have diabetes, you'll go on to lead," Southerland said.

The family packed themselves back into their car for the 60km drive home. The mechanics resumed washing bikes and adjusting gears. The riders went for a massage and ate a hearty dinner in the hotel dining room.

The sun went down on another day for Team Type 1-Sanofi in Belgium.

To learn more about Team Type 1-Sanofi or Hippo & Friends, please follow the respective links.

Fans can welcome the return of "Mad Men" to AMC this month with a one-of-a-kind, cast member-signed work of art

San Rafael, CA - A love of bikes, art and the hit TV series, Mad Men, has inspired the sale of a truly unique work of art by renowned license plate artist and former HGTV's FreeStyle host Aaron Foster. Proceeds from an online art auction will be donated to the national nonprofit organization, Trips for Kids.

"The bicycle has always been a huge part of my life. When you're a kid, the bicycle is freedom - it makes your world bigger and provides a certain level of independence," Foster said. "I'm a big fan of kids on bikes. I'm a big fan of Mad Men. And I've been making license plate art for more than ten years now, so why not combine all three to raise some money for a great cause?"

The one-of-a-kind piece is a replica of the television show's logo made entirely of vintage recycled license plates. The piece is signed by the entire cast and Show Creator Matthew Weiner.

Beginning March 22, Foster will auction the piece to raise money to support Trips for Kids, a national organization that inspires youth outdoors on mountain bikes. The auction will run during the season premiere on March 25 through April 1, closing at 8:45 pm (EST), just 15 minutes prior to the second episode of season five on AMC.

Foster's Mad Men license plate art work auction is current available for online bids here.

The world champion mountain biker plans her 2012 SRAM Gold Rusch Tour to encourage ladies of all ages to dust off their bicycles and go for it

Ketchum, ID – Rebecca Rusch, the three-time Leadville Trail 100 Women's Champion and three-time 24 Hour Solo Mountain Biking World Champion, is pleased to announce that after a successful first tour in 2011, the SRAM Gold Rusch Tour is back with more dates and locations for 2012. The tour is designed to get women of all ages outdoors and on their bicycles.

“Our inaugural Gold Rusch Tour last year was such a success that we wanted to expand for the 2012 tour. Of course our goal is to empower woman and girls to get on their bikes, but we also want to create a strong sense of community,” says Rebecca Rusch. “I’m seeing more and more women on the trail. It’s awesome to get young girls and women of any age excited about the sport. I’m living proof that it’s never too late to learn to ride a bike.”

2012 SRAM Gold Rusch Tour

The Sea Otter Ladies Lounge at the Sea Otter Classic: April 19-22 – Drop by the SRAM booth and meet your favorite female pros. Ask questions, check out new gear and listen in on our mini tech clinics. Rebecca and the other pros will also host short ride clinics and pump track sessions. For more information on tour specifics and updates, please visit www.goldruschtour.com.

Dirt Rage Dirtfest Dirty Girls Clinics (Raystown, PA): May 17-20 – Join Rebecca and SRAM/Specialized female athletes, Katie Holden and Lindsey Voreis for Specialized demos and free ride clinics during the three-day mountain bike festival.

Sun Valley Media Camp (Sun Valley, ID): July 4-9 – By invite-only, eight lucky female representatives will meet Rebecca, Katie Holden, Meredith Miller and Lea Davison for a personal tour of the world class riding in Sun Valley. The camp coincides with USAC XC National Championships in Sun Valley (July 5th-8th) to allow the attending media to cover the event and experience Idaho riding at its best.

“Wheel Girls” Mountain Bike Club (Sun Valley, ID): June through July – Rebecca and her local female mountain bike posse will coach a 6-week teen riding camp for the second year. The classes will meet in June and July for weekly riding sessions on different trails in the Sun Valley area. The camp will focus on riding skills, trail etiquette and volunteer trail work.

Kokanee Crankworx Dirty Girls Clinics (Whistler, BC): August 13-19 – The biggest freeride festival in the world, Crankworx is a magnet for the world’s best riders. With a collection of some of the best trails and parks on the planet, Rebecca and SRAM/Specialized female pros will guest instruct and lead rides for all ability levels throughout the week.

Levi’s Granfondo Ladies Lounge and Media Camp (Santa Rosa, CA): September 29 – Activities will include a pre-event social hour with complimentary bike fit and equipment check at NorCal Bike and ride tips from the pros. Rebecca and other female pros will offer a pre-ride preview of some of the toughest parts of the course. Post-event activities will include a SRAM/Specialized VIP reception for women and their guests with refreshments and recovery drinks.

Roc D’Azur Ladies Lounge and Dirty Girls Ride Clinics (France): October – This French mountain bike festival is open to riders of all levels and hosts races, fun rides, a huge bike expo and parties. Each day at the SRAM booth, female pros will be available to answer questions and lead mini-tech clinics. The pros will also be hosting short ride clinics and pump track sessions.

Ride on Washington event is set to raise funds and awareness for the Bikes Belong Foundation

Ketchum, ID – Rebecca Rusch, the three-time Leadville Trail 100 Women's Champion and three-time 24 Hour Solo Mountain Biking World Champion, is pleased to announce her involvement as one of only a few female riders taking part in Tim Johnson’s Ride on Washington ride from Boston to Washington, D.C.to raise funds and awareness for the Bikes Belong Foundation. Rebecca and her fellow riders will host receptions at each city along the way, spreading the word about the much-needed support for non-motorized transportation and legislation currently being considered by congress that threatens bicycling and pedestrian-specific funding.

More than 25 riders will take part in the challenging, 500-mile ride from Boston to Washington, D.C., in participation with the Bikes Belong Foundation. The ride will include stops in Hartford, CT, New York City, NY, Philadelphia, PA and Baltimore, MD.

“I’m really pleased to be a part of the Ride on Washington event this year. It’s so important to raise funds-- and most importantly awareness for legislation that threatens non-motorized transportation,” says Rebecca Rusch. “It’s important for all bike enthusiasts to get educated and involved to support events like this. I’m looking forward to speaking with the public and representatives about issue that are close to my heart.”

The Ride on Washington will culminate at the capital for the National Bike Summit on March 20-22 at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Washington, D.C. Rebecca and her fellow riders will meet with members of congress to discuss several issues including a multi-year Transportation Bill to be voted on in late March, which threatens to cut bicycling and pedestrian-specific funding including support for Safe Routes to School, Recreational Trails Program and designated bikes lanes.

On a local level, Rebecca will represent IMBA and Idaho’s own Wood River Bicycle Coalition. She will speak regarding the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act, which threatens the closure of some of Idaho’s most valued mountain bike trail systems.

Prescott, AZ – This year, ambassadors from Prescott, Arizona will enjoy the endorsement of the city’s most prominent university when they travel to Vancouver to engage with bicycle experts from around the world. One Street, an international bicycle advocacy organization based in Prescott, is raising funds for community advocates and Prescott College students to attend the Velo-city 2012 conference in Vancouver June 26-29. These bicycle ambassadors will be charged with bringing back the latest project and policy innovations from around the world to help transform Prescott into a bicycling city.

“Prescott College is proud to endorse a project that speaks directly to caring for our environment and improving our population’s physical fitness,” said Dr. Kristin Woolever, president of Prescott College. “Making our cities and towns bicycle friendly is a major step forward!”

This is the second year that One Street has run the City to Velo-city program. “Last year was more of a spur of the moment thing,” said Sue Knaup, One Street’s executive director. “But after the outstanding success of the trip, our board of directors decided to make it an on-going program. Connecting local bicycle advocates with their peers from around the world fits our mission perfectly. And this year we are thrilled to have the endorsement of Prescott College.”

The Velo-city conference has been led by the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) for more than 30 years, mostly in European cities. Having the conference in North America this year will make it easier for Americans and Canadians to attend even as experts from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America make the trip to share their latest successes. Just a few of the recent plenary speakers to join the program include Niels Tørsløv, Director of Copenhagen’s Traffic Department and Alain Ayotte, CEO of the Montréal based Public Bike System Company.

One Street’s City to Velo-city program is setting the stage for another fun event in Prescott to help raise the funds needed to get Prescott’s bicycle ambassadors to the conference. The event is set to take place the last week of April. Keep an eye out for more details soon. You can also donate directly to the program by clicking “Donate” on One Street’s website and noting the program with your donation.

Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo to start on Las Vegas Strip and include century ride over the Hoover Dam

Las Vegas – The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) has announced that the RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo will again begin on the Las Vegas Strip and century riders will have the opportunity to ride over the Hoover Dam.

This year, the RTC has also partnered with Interbike, the largest bicycle trade event in North America, to bring more bicycle industry participation to the annual event. The 2012 edition of Interbike will be held at the Sands Expo Center, Sept. 17 through 21, and the RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo will take place immediately following the show on Saturday, Sept. 22.

“We look forward to offering riders a unique and exciting ride from the famous Las Vegas Strip to the iconic Hoover Dam in this year’s RTC Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo,” said Jacob Snow, RTC general manager. “We are proud to welcome cyclists from across the country and around the world to Las Vegas every year to ride in Viva Bike Vegas. This year, we are especially pleased to partner with Interbike and invite its exhibitors and attendees to join us for our fifth annual event.”

All riders will again have the unique opportunity to begin their ride under the bright lights of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. The RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo will feature three spectacular routes – 118, 72, and 17-mile courses – for cyclists of all skill levels taking riders from the Las Vegas Strip to the vistas of the Red Rock
Canyon National Conservation Area and the scenic trails near Lake Mead National Park. Century and 72-mile riders will have the additional opportunity to ride over the Hoover Dam

Rider registration for the RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo is available online at the official website and during this early registration period, all rides cost only $75.

Proceeds from Viva Bike Vegas will again benefit local charities: After-School All-Stars Las Vegas, Nevada Cancer Institute and Communities in Schools of Nevada.

If you are a cyclists and have yet to hear about the advocacy group People for Bikes, now is the time to head over to their site and sign the pledge:

"I am for bikes. I'm for long rides and short rides. I'm for commuting to work, weekend rides, racing, riding to school, or just a quick spin around the block. I believe that no matter how I ride, biking makes me happy and is great for my health, my community and the environment we all share. That is why I am pledging my name in support of a better future for bicycling—one that is safe and fun for everyone. By uniting my voice with a million others, I believe that we can make our world a better place to ride."

The group's recent collaboration with Ryan Van Duzer and Allen Krughoff (Hardcastle Photography) is a work of satire at its finest. For those of you who are, know of, and/or work or live with a roadie, the video below is sure to make you laugh outright and aloud.

Cycling apparel maker will be the Signature Sponsor of Colorado event

Denver - Continuing a long-running relationship, cycling apparel-maker Primal Wear will increase it's sponsorship and support of the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure events in 2012, according to a new agreement announced today.

New for 2012, Primal will be the Signature Sponsor of the 2012 Tour de Cure Colorado and the official apparel sponsor of the Tour de Cure Southern Colorado and Montana, respectively.

Primal is currently the supplier for all Tour de Cure cycling apparel and the apparel provider for the National Red Rider program, which recognizes riders with diabetes.  Primal is also the preferred custom cycling apparel vendor for all Tour de Cure teams and clubs.

"We are proud to take our involvement with the Tour de Cure and the ADA to the next level." said Dave Edwards, Primal Wear founder and CEO. "Our hope is to help expand the platform of the Association, increase Diabetes awareness nationwide and raise much needed funds for the cause."

In addition to Primal's direct sponsorship, all Tour de Cure teams are eligible for the company's Primal Gives Back program, which donates 15 percent of a team's apparel order back to the event charity, on behalf of the team, to help them meet their fundraising goals.

"We are very excited to have Primal Wear on board as a signature partner," said Kelly Jackson, Tour de Cure Director, Colorado and Montana. "Their commitment to the event through their partnership, apparel and the Gives Back Program brings us that much closer to stopping this disease that affects 316,000 people in Colorado. With diabetes growing at near-epidemic proportions, the support of local businesses like Primal Wear is crucial."

Primal began producing jerseys and accessories for the American Diabetes Association and the Tour de Cure in 2009 and also helped launch and then expand the Association's Red Rider logo and jersey program beginning in 2007 to increase recognition within the events for participants who have diabetes, have a friend or family member with the disease or are strong supporters of the cause but don't have a team of their own.

To find out more about the Tour de Cure and its 80-plus Tour events around the country, go to Tour de Cure website, and for more information on Primal Wear's work with the Tour de Cure, visit the Tour de Cure page at Primal Wear.

Los Angeles – A one-of-a-kind Cannondale SuperSix Hi-Mod bicycle is on the auction block to help further the mission of the Bahati Foundation and its mission to positively affect the lives of inner city and underprivileged youth across the nation.

The carbon fiber frame and fork feature an eclectic, custom paint job by renown graffiti artist Mike Giant. The nearly ready-to-ride bicycle retails for $7,500 and includes a 2012 SRAM Red gruppo, FSA SLK carbon seat post and stem, FSA Wing Pro carbon bars, fi'zi:k Antares saddle and bar tape, and a HED Jet 6 FR carbon clincher wheelset. The bike was built by Geoff Gould, owner of Miles Ahead Cyclery in Tucson.

"We hope this special opportunity helps us raise significant money to continue our mission to supply inner-city kids with health and fitness gear, educational supplies and even musical instruments," Rahsaan Bahati said.

Bids may be placed on eBay, where additional details can be found. The minimum acceptable bid for the bicycle is $7,000. Bidding, which is limited to the continental United States, ends Dec. 15, 2011. A portion of the purchase price may be tax deductible.

Bahati, a professional cyclist since 2001, founded the Bahati Foundation in 2010 to support inner city youth in under-served communities through inspirational speaking engagements and cycling outreach programs. Through grants, scholarships and cycling outreach programs, it empowers children toward higher achievement in education, music and sports. Since its inception, more than 10,000 grade school students across the U.S. have heard Bahati spread his message of inspiration.

Lake Orion, MI – A BMC Racing Team jersey signed by all nine members of the squad of Tour de France winner Cadel Evans has led to a $1,500 donation to the Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association (MiSCA).

Former West Michigan resident Brent Bookwalter, a rider on the BMC Racing Team's Tour de France team, orchestrated the fundraiser of the autographed jersey, which ended up in the hands of an anonymous donor.

"Without the guidance, encouragement and opportunities afforded to me by people across the state of Michigan, I would not be where I am today," Bookwalter said. "MiSCA is doing a fantastic job of doing the same for today's young bike riders in the state and have had exciting success in only their second year. It's an honor being part of their effort to give kids access to the sport we all love and enjoy."

MiSCA founder Steve Kinley said the $1,500 donation will be put to good use for the organization he founded last year to create interest in cycling among children in Michigan.

"Our mission isn't just about racing," Kinley said. "We're trying to get clubs going in the schools, through bike shops, whoever wants to get students started on bikes and away from the video games."

In just one year's time, the program for students in grades six through 12 has grown from four clubs to 12, comprising nearly 100 students. Kinley said a portion of the money will help expand the new "Mountain Kids" program.

"We have a trailer with 15 mountain bikes that we take around to various organizations and events to help get kids give the sport a try," Kinley said. "Many of our programs involve underprivileged youth who they may not ordinarily get the opportunity to experience mountain biking."

Before joining the BMC Racing Team in 2008, Bookwalter competed in mountain biking and road cycling at Lees-McRae College, winning nine collegiate national titles. His professional career highlights include a third-place finish in the prologue of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and runner-up in the Stage 1 time trial of the 2010 Giro d'Italia.