Cyclist Bruce Reisdorf spends two decades riding for a cure

SOMERS, N.Y. - Each year, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) invites cyclists to join their quest at the Tour de Cure fundraising event.

The annual initiative brings together individuals and organizations to increase awareness, fund research, and ultimately, work towards finding a cure. 

For Bruce Reisdorf, his passion and devotion to the cause have seen him hitting the road for the past two decades.

As he prepares to take part in his 20th Tour de Cure event, Reisdorf is hoping that this year’s fundraising effort will be bigger than ever.

Passion Hits Pavement

“I’m proud to do it,” says Reisdorf. “It’s for a great cause.”

This humble statement underscores a Herculean effort from the Somers resident, one with a deep personal connection.

“My mother, my aunt, and my uncle all had complications from diabetes,” he explains.

An avid cyclist and member of the Westchester Cycle Club, Reisdorf saw the Tour de Cure as the perfect opportunity to get involved.

“It always seemed like a natural fit,” he adds.

This year’s event will be held in Scottsville, NY, on Saturday, June 7.

Cycle Stories

Originally from western New York, Reisdorf’s involvement with the Tour de Cure brought him back home in ambitious fashion a decade ago.

“To celebrate 10 years, rather than put it in my car and drive, I actually rode my bike all the way to Buffalo,” Reisdorf recalls.

The 8-day trek saw him biking 60 miles a day, all while wearing different Tour de Cure jerseys. And his determination did not go unnoticed, raising funds and awareness along the way.

“So many people have diabetes. I had total strangers coming up and complimenting me and handing me money,” he explains.

Fundraising Phenom

Reisdorf, the licensed manager at Clark Associates Funeral Home in Katonah, has developed deep connections within the community throughout his career.

In turn, those connections have helped bolster his fundraising efforts for the ADA.

“I’ve been at the funeral home for 45 years, and I’ve gotten to know so many people in the area,” Reisdorf says. “I’m hoping people will realize what I’m doing and be able to support me and sponsor me.”

His fundraising efforts have raised upwards of $10,000 for each Tour de Cure event, with last year’s ride cresting $17,000. He estimates that he has raised nearly $200,000 over 20 years of fundraising rides.

For his 20th Tour de Cure, Reisdorf is thinking bigger.

“For my 20th year, my goal is to raise $20,000,” he says.

At press time, he was more than halfway to achieving his goal, but there are still many miles to go.

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As he prepares to hit the road once more in June, Reisdorf offered parting words about the nature of the disease and his hope for a brighter future.

“In my 20 years of doing this, I’m always surprised by the people that will come up to me and tell me their connection to diabetes. It’s amazing how many people have this disease,” he concludes. “I’m hoping through funds raised that the medical profession will find a cure. I look forward to the day when I'm just able to ride my bike and not raise money, because science has found a cure.”